“If I’m your mother’s enemy, then let her live as she pleases. I won’t lift a finger for her again!”
Lauren had always tried to keep her cool when it came to Margaret. Her mother-in-law visited their flat two or three times a week, and each visit felt like an ordeal. The September days grew shorter, and Laurens mood grew darker.
Margaret loved hosting gatherings. Shed arrive with bags full of groceries, take over the kitchen, and cook enough for an armyalways inviting neighbours, friends, and sometimes even strangers.
“Now this is what I call hospitality!” Margaret would announce loudly, setting the table. “Not like some people who cant even brew a proper cup of tea.”
Lauren clenched her jaw and kept slicing bread. Margaret never named names, but everyone knew who she meant.
At the table, Margaret became a storyteller, her eyes bright, her voice dramatic.
“My nephews wife is an absolute treasure!” shed exclaim, throwing her hands up. “Emma is so talented! You should see her embroiderylike real paintings! And she knits, sews, keeps their garden immaculate. Pickles cucumbers, makes preservesher home is a proper haven!”
The guests would murmur approvingly while Laurens cheeks burned. Her husband, James, sat glued to his phone, pretending not to notice.
“And my cousins wife, Sophieshes wonderful too,” Margaret continued. “So obedient, never a cross word. Her mother-in-law feels like shes behind a fortress! They consult her on everything. Now thats proper upbringing!”
One of the neighbours turned to Lauren. “And what do you do?”
Lauren opened her mouth, but Margaret cut in:
“Oh, why bother asking? Lauren is a modern woman. She works in an office, staring at a computer. No time for homemaking. Shes used to having everything done for her.”
“Im a manager at a retail firm,” Lauren said tightly.
“Yes, a manager,” Margaret nodded sagely. “But who does everything at home? Poor James has to cook and clean after work because our spoiled daughter-in-law cant be bothered.”
Laurens jaw ached from clenching it. James still hadnt looked up from his screen.
After one such dinner, as the guests left and the dishes were done, Margaret approached Lauren with a saccharine smile.
“Lauren, darling, could you take me to the clinic tomorrow? I need to collect some test results, and Im nervous going alone.”
“Of course, Margaret,” Lauren replied, though she had an important client meeting the next day.
“Oh, you angel! James is so busy at work, and youve got flexible hours, so its no trouble for you.”
Lauren bit back the truthher schedule wasnt flexible. But arguing wasnt worth the drama.
The following week, it happened again. Margaret appeared with another request.
“Lauren, could you pop to the chemist? The doctor prescribed new medication, and Im afraid Ill get the wrong thing.”
“Fine,” Lauren nodded.
“And if its not too much, could you grab some groceries? My backs been achingI cant carry heavy things.”
Lauren spent half the day hunting down the medicine at three different chemists, then queued at the supermarket. She returned exhausted and irritable.
“Howd it go?” James asked, eyes fixed on the telly.
“Fine,” she said flatly.
A few days later, Margaret arrived with relatives in tow.
“Meet my daughter-in-law, Lauren,” she introduced. “This is my sister-in-law, Patricia, and her daughter, Charlotte.”
Charlotte was Laurens age but carried herself like she was older and wiser.
“I heard you work in an office?” Charlotte said, eyeing the flat critically.
“Yes, in retail.”
“How fascinating!” Charlotte gushed insincerely. “I stay home with the childrenthree of them, all bright and well-behaved. The eldest plays violin at music school.”
Margaret beamed. “Now thats a proper woman! Runs a home, raises children, supports her husbandnot gallivanting about in offices.”
Laurens face burned, but she held her tongue.
“Charlottes so capable!” Patricia chimed in. “Cooks, sews, knits. I always tell her, any man would be lucky to have her.”
“I even keep a garden,” Charlotte added modestly. “Grow my own veg, make preserves. My husband says our home is heaven.”
Margaret turned to Lauren. “See, Lauren? You could learn from Charlotte. Maybe then James wouldnt vanish in the evenings.”
Lauren froze. Only she knew James had been staying out late. How did Margaret know?
“Does James often stay out?” Patricia asked nosily.
“He works late,” Lauren said vaguely.
“Of course he does!” Margaret scoffed. “Any man would flee a home this dullempty fridge, wife always at work. No wonder he seeks comfort elsewhere.”
Charlotte shook her head sympathetically. “Men need to be kept content at home. Cosy dinners, little treats. My husband wont even travel for worksays theres no place like home.”
The conversation dragged on. Lauren sat silently, her irritation boiling.
When the guests finally left, Lauren snapped.
“James, did you hear what your mother said?”
“Whats the fuss? Just women chatting.”
“Chatting? She humiliated me in front of everyone!”
“She didnt humiliate you. She just pointed out how others live.”
“So you agree Im a terrible wife?”
“I didnt say that. But Mums rightyou could focus more on home.”
“Who cooks, cleans, does the laundry? The house elf?”
“We take turns”
“Turns? When did you last cook? Heating up frozen pizza doesnt count!”
James frowned. “No need to shout. Im being civil.”
“Im shouting because Im exhausted! Your mother criticises me nonstop, and you say nothing!”
“Mum doesnt criticise. She offers advice.”
Lauren stormed to the bedroom. Talking was pointless.
The next day, Margaret called againthis time for a special cream sold across town.
“Lauren, darling, please! Its so hard for me to get there, and you drive”
Lauren checked the clock. She had a meeting in three hours.
“Margaret, maybe another day? Ive got”
“Oh, what could be so important? Youll be a bit lateso what? I need this cream urgently!”
Lauren gave in. She got stuck in traffic, missed the meeting, and was reprimanded by her boss.
That evening, James dismissed it.
“One late day wont kill you. Mum needed help. You couldnt say no.”
“What if I get sacked over this?”
“You wont. And if you do, find another job.”
Lauren was speechless at his indifference.
A week later, Margaret hosted another dinner, comparing Lauren to other daughters-in-law.
“My nephews wife treats her mother-in-law like gold! They holiday together, exchange gifts. She asks advice, obeys everything. A true daughter!”
Then she eyed Lauren.
“Some think marriage means ignoring their in-laws. Live selfishly, never consult anyone.”
“Margaret, if youve got an issue with me, say it plainly,” Lauren said.
Margaret feigned shock. “Oh, darling, Im just musing aloud about respect for elders!”
After dinner, as Lauren washed up, Margaret hovered.
“Lauren, are you actually good for anything?” she asked sweetly.
A plate slipped from Laurens grip and shattered.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing serious,” Margaret shrugged. “Just wondering if youve any useful skills beyond office work.”
Laurens hands shook as she picked up the shards.
“If Im your mothers enemy, then let her live as she pleases. I wont lift a finger for her again!”
Silence fell. Margaret blinked, stunned. James finally looked up.
“Lauren, whats got into you? Mum didnt mean”
“Didnt mean to? She just asked if Im good for anything! In front of guests!”
Margaret recovered quickly. “Lauren, you misunderstood! Id never hurt you!”
“Really? Calling me spoiled and uselesswas that accidental too? Comparing me to others for months?”
“Im just used to being helped,” Margaret whined. “At my age, its hard”
“Then ask your perfect daughters-in-law! Emma the homemaker or obedient Sophie! Let them help!”
James stood. “Lauren, calm down. Why blow up over nothing?”
“Nothing? Your mothers belittled me for months, and you call it nothing?”
“I never belittled you!” Margaret cried. “I just asked for lifts, errands Is that abuse?”
“You then tell everyone what a rubbish wife I am! No more. No more favours, no more help!”
“Lauren, Mums elderly,” James pleaded. “You know
