Margaret thought that after the divorce, Id support her out of fear, but she had no idea I had other plans entirely.
Emma stared at the elderly woman standing on her doorstep, suitcase in hand, and couldnt believe her eyes. Margaret Whitmore, her former mother-in-law, looked as though shed simply dropped by for a friendly visit.
Emma, darling, she began in a drawn-out tone, Ive nowhere else to go. David moved that whats her name Jessica into his place. And I dont want to intrude on young love, do you understand? Theyre building their future, and whats an old woman like me to do? Youll let me stay for a little while, wont you?
Emma stepped aside without a word, letting her in. What else could she say? Turn a sixty-year-old woman out onto the street? Yes, the divorce had been painful. Yes, David had turned out to be the sort of man who, after twelve years of marriage, suddenly found himself in the arms of a twenty-five-year-old colleague. But what did his mother have to do with it?
Margaret, Emma said quietly, closing the door, I dont understand. You have your own flat. Why do you need to stay here?
Oh, Emma dear, Margaret sighed, settling onto the sofa and loosening her shoelaces, you know how cramped my place is. Tiny. But heretheres space, air. David said youre alone in this two-bed anyway. Whats the harm in letting an old woman stay a while?
Emma clenched her fists. Of course David had said that. Convenientmove the new girlfriend in, palm his mother off on his ex-wife. And no one cared how she felt.
Its just temporary, Margaret repeated, already unbuttoning her coat. Until I sort things out.
For the first week, Emma tried to be understanding. She made breakfast for two, bought the urgently needed medicines her former mother-in-law requested, silently tidied up after her. Margaret wasnt the tidiest housematedirty dishes piled in the sink, her belongings strewn about, TV blaring late into the night.
Emma, love, she said one morning, my pension is so small. Could you spare a bit for groceries? And my blood pressure pills. Im completely broke.
Silently, Emma opened her purse and handed over fifty pounds. Then another thirty for a new heart supplement. Then twenty more for treats with tea.
Margaret, Emma ventured cautiously a month later when yet another request left her nearly penniless, maybe we should live within our means? Im not exactly rolling in money either.
Margaret whipped around, a familiar fire flashing in her eyes. Emma knew that lookthe prelude to a grand scene.
What did you just say? Margarets voice pitched higher. Live within my means? How dare you! I welcomed you into this family like my own daughter! Twelve years, I treated you as my own! And now you begrudge me a few pounds for medicine?
Im not begrudging you, I just
What do you know about hardship, childless as you are! Margaret shrieked, waving her arms. I raised my son alone after my husband passed! Worked three jobs! And now youd deny me heart pills? Ill tell the neighbours what youre really likeungrateful!
Emma endured the tirade in silence. And the next one. And the one after that, sparked by an unsatisfactory dinner. Margaret was a master dramatistshe could shout for hours, rally the neighbours, accuse Emma of every sin imaginable.
After yet another performance, Emma dialled Davids number.
David, come get your mother. Please.
Emma, dont be like that. Im rebuilding my life. Mums still upset about the divorce. And youve got the spacewhats the harm?
The harm is my money, my peace, my sanity.
Stop overreacting. Shes elderlyshe needs support. You can help, so help.
A dial tone. Hed hung up.
Sitting at the kitchen table, Emma realised shed had enough. Margaret acted like she owned the place, staged scenes over nothing, demanded money without hesitation.
She thought Id keep supporting her out of fear, Emma mused, gazing at the grey February courtyard outside. But she had no idea what I was planning.
The next morning, while Margaret was at the GPs, Emma called a locksmith. The locks were changed within an hour.
That evening, Margaret returned from her usual mooch around the shopsshe loved complaining to shopkeepers about life. But her key wouldnt turn.
Emma! Emma, open up! She banged on the door. Whats this nonsense?
Emma stepped onto the landing, calmly watching the flustered woman.
Its not nonsense, Margaret. Pack your thingsIve called a taxi.
What? Have you lost your mind? Where are you sending me?
Home. To your son. Where you belong.
I cant stay there! Jessica lives there! Its awkward!
And was it awkward for me? Emma asked coolly, observing as Margarets face hardened, ready to fight.
How dare you! she screeched. Im an old woman! I have a heart condition! You cant do this!
I can. Its my flat.
Ill go to the neighbours! Tell everyone what youve done!
Tell them. I dont care anymore.
The suitcase packed quicklyMargaret didnt have much. In the taxi, she sat in seething silence, occasionally clutching her chest for effect.
Outside Davids building, Emma helped unload the suitcase. They rode the lift to the third floor. A bewildered David answered the door in pyjamas.
Emma? Mum? Whats going on?
Im returning your mother, Emma said, shoving the suitcase inside. Margaret no longer lives with me.
Jessica emerged from the bedrooma pretty blonde in a dressing gown. Her face fell when she saw Margaret.
But Mum cant stay here! David protested. Were weve just
Rebuilding your life, Emma finished. Lovely. Rebuild it. But without me.
Emma, you dont understand, David said in that condescending tone reserved for children. Mum needs help. Shes elderly, unwell. Her pensions tiny.
She has a son. Let him help.
But Ive got a new family now!
And Ive got a new life. One that doesnt include your problems.
Margaret, silent until now, erupted.
David! Do you see how she treats me? Throws an old woman onto the street! Heartless! I loved her like a daughter!
Mum, come on, David muttered, but Emma saw the panic in his eyes.
If you want to abandon your mother, thats your conscience, Emma said, turning to leave. But no one in your family sets foot in my flat again. I wont open the door.
Emma, wait! David called after her.
But she was already halfway down the stairs, ignoring Margarets hysterics and Davids sputtered protests.
Back home, Emma immediately logged onto a travel site. The money shed saved for new furniture covered a two-week all-inclusive trip to Spain. Just what she needed after a month with Margaret.
That evening, David called.
Emma, how could you be so cruel? Mums in tears.
Let her cry in your flat.
But Jessica and I have only just moved in together! You understand, dont you?
I understand its your problem.
Emma, be reasonable. Well figure something out, but not now. Give us time.
Youve had time. A whole month while I housed your mother. Times up.
She hung up and switched off her phone.
The next three days brought a barrage of callsDavid, Margaret, even unknown numbers (likely Margarets friends roped into her campaign). Emma ignored them all.
On Thursday morning, sipping coffee by the window, she watched children playing in the courtyard. The silence in her flat felt blissful after a month of shouting and demands.
The doorbell rang. A tearful Jessica stood on the landing.
Emma, can we talk?
About what?
Margaret. I know youve had a falling-out, but
We didnt fall out. I set boundaries.
Shes difficult, Jessica whispered. She blames me for breaking up the family. She screams at me daily. Davids always at work, and Im left with her. She says awful things.
Emma almost smiled. A month ago, she might have pitied the girl, offered advice, even helped. Now, she just looked at her.
Thats your family problem.
But maybe
