*”We didnt invite her,”* whispered the daughter-in-law, spotting me at the door.
*”Mum, when will Grandma come?”* asked little Emily, smearing the last of her porridge across the plate.
*”I dont know, love. Maybe she wont come at all,”* replied Claire, stacking the breakfast dishes.
Andrew glanced up from his newspaper, shooting his wife a sharp look.
*”What do you mean, she wont come? Mums always come for Emilys birthday. Its practically tradition.”*
*”Well, let it stay a tradition in your dreams,”* Claire muttered, clattering the cups into the sink.
Seven-year-old Emily frowned, eyes darting between her parents. She hated it when they spoke like this, especially about Grandma.
*”But I want Granny to come! She always brings me presents, and we go to the park, and she tells me fairy tales about princesses!”*
*”Emily, go brush your teeth. Well be late for nursery,”* Claire cut in.
The girl pouted but obediently slid off her chair and trudged to the bathroom.
*”Claire, whats got into you?”* Andrew murmured, stepping closer. *”Shes been waiting for her grandma.”*
*”Oh, so its my fault now?”* Claire spun around. *”Your mother decided she wouldnt visit anymoreafter last time.”*
*”What last time? You just unloaded on her about her parenting methods!”*
*”I told her the truth!”* Claires voice rose. *”She spoils Emily rotten! After every visit, shes impossible for a weekdemanding this, insisting on that. Granny lets me! Granny buys me!”*
Andrew clenched his fists, then exhaled. *”Mum just loves her. Shes been lonely since Dad passed. Emilys her only joy.”*
*”Joy? More like a nightmare for me to deal with afterward!”*
From the bathroom came the sound of splashing water and a nursery rhyme. Emily was brushing her teeth, humming tunelessly.
*”Lets not do this in front of her,”* Andrew pleaded.
Claire dried her hands on a tea towel, sinking into a chair. *”Andrew, Im not a monster. I feel for your mum. But shes always interfering, criticising me. Last time, she outright said I was a bad mother because I wouldnt let Emily have ice cream before bed!”*
*”Shes just trying to help”*
*”Her way!”* Claire snapped. *”And what, my way doesnt count? Shes my daughter. I know whats best!”*
Emily bounded back in, chin still damp, grinning. *”Mum, Dad, lets invite Granny ourselves! Tell her we miss her loads!”*
Claire and Andrew exchanged glances. In his wifes eyes, he saw exhaustion, something like defeat.
*”Em, hurry up, love,”* Claire said softly. *”Or well be late, and Mrs. Jenkins will scold us.”*
The day passed as usual. Claire dropped Emily at nursery, then drove to her job at a small accounting firm, where she punched numbers into a calculator. The work was dull, but the pay was steady, and that mattered.
At lunch, her colleague Sarah asked, *”Youre quiet today. Trouble at home?”*
*”Just family stuff,”* Claire sighed. *”Mother-in-laws upset, wont visit. Emilys heartbroken.”*
*”What happened?”*
Claire stirred her lukewarm soup absently. *”Sarah, maybe I am a bit of a cow. But shes always telling me how to raise my child! Claire, whys Emily wearing that jumper? Its chilly. Claire, bedtimes too early, let her play. Claire, she looks peakydo you even take her outside?”*
*”She means well,”* Sarah offered.
*”Oh, I know that meaning well. When Andrew was little, she dragged him to doctors every week, wrapped him in cotton wool. Hes told meshe wouldnt even let him play outside, scared hed catch cold. And now? He cant make a decision without panicking!”*
Sarah smirked. *”And now shes doing the same with Emily?”*
*”Exactly! I wont have it. Better she doesnt come at all.”*
But Claire didnt sound convinced. Deep down, she pitied her mother-in-law, Emily, even Andrew.
That evening, after Emily was asleep, the couple sat at the kitchen table with tea. Andrew flipped through a magazine; Claire puzzled over a crossword. Silence.
*”Listen,”* Andrew finally said. *”Should we call Mum? Emilys birthdays next week.”*
Claire looked up, studying him. *”You want to?”*
*”I dont know. You said if she didnt like how we parent, she shouldnt bother coming. She took it to heart.”*
*”Andrew, I didnt throw her out! I just asked her to back off. And she stormed out, saying horrible things!”*
*”She was upset”*
*”Mum! Mum!”* Claire exploded. *”Youre thirty-two! Youve got a family, a daughter! When will you start being a husband and father instead of a mummys boy?”*
Andrew paled, jaw tightening. *”Thats low, Claire.”*
*”Its the truth! Your mothers run your life forever. She even picked your wifeexcept I didnt fit her perfect daughter-in-law mould!”*
*”Thats not”*
*”Remember what she said when we married? Well, Andrew, lets see how Claire handles married life. Like I was on probation!”*
Andrew stood, pacing. *”Fine. Maybe Mum oversteps. But shes not the enemy! She cares”*
*”She controls!”* Claire shot up. *”And you know it. Youre just too scared to admit it.”*
*”Alright,”* Andrew sighed. *”We wont call. Since youre so against it.”*
*”Im not against it!”* Claire blurted. *”I just want her to respect boundaries! To visit as a grandma, not a dictator!”*
*”Then what do you suggest?”*
Claire slumped back, head in hands. *”I dont know. Honestly, I dont.”*
The next day, Emily got into a fight at nursery. The teacher, Mrs. Jenkins, pulled Claire aside.
*”Mrs. Thompson, Emilys been very aggressive lately. Hitting, shouting. Whats going on at home?”*
Claire flushed. *”Nothing unusual. Just family life.”*
*”Children sense tension. Emily keeps asking when Grannys coming. Today, she screamed at another child, Youre horrible, like Mummy!”*
Claires stomach dropped. Emily had heard everything.
*”Ill talk to her,”* she promised.
*”Id recommend a child psychologist. We have”*
*”No, thank you. Well manage.”*
At home, Claire sat beside Emily, who was silently building with blocks.
*”Love, lets talk.”*
*”Bout what?”* Emily mumbled.
*”What happened at nursery. Mrs. Jenkins said you hit someone.”*
*”He said Grannys never coming cos you chased her away!”* Emily sobbed. *”I said hes a liar, but he laughed!”*
Claire pulled her close. *”Sweetheart, no one chased Granny. Grown-ups just disagree sometimes.”*
*”Whats disagree?”*
*”When people think differently. But we still love Granny.”*
*”Then why wont she come?”*
Claire hesitated. How to explain what she barely understood herself?
Emily looked up, tearful. *”Mum, can we visit Granny? On the bus, like last time?”*
*”Its far, love. And she might not expect us.”*
*”Lets call and ask! Now!”*
Claires heart ached at the hope in her daughters eyes.
*”Alright,”* she whispered. *”Well call.”*
The phone rang too long. When her mother-in-law finally answered, Claires mouth went dry.
*”Margaret? Its Claire.”*
Silence. Then, stiffly: *”Yes?”*
*”Emilys birthdays soon. Shes desperate to see you.”*
*”Ill phone my greetings.”*
*”But she wants you here!”*
*”And you?”* Margaret asked pointedly.
Claire faltered.
*”I I do too. Margaret, lets talk properly. No shouting.”*
Another pause.
*”Put Emily on.”*
*”Granny!”* Emily beamed. *”When are you coming? I can read a new book now!”*
Claire only caught half the conversation, but Emilys face fell.
*”But I want you at my party! All my friends ask where you are Why cant you come? Whats grown-up problems?”*
Emily handed the phone back, lip trembling.
*”She wants to talk to you.”*
*”Claire,”* Margaret sounded weary. *”Emily shouldnt suffer for our squabbles.”*
*”I agree.”*
*”Then tell mewhats so terrible about my visits? Why do you resent me?”*
Claire leaned her forehead against the cool wall.
*”I dont resent you. But you dont trust me as a mother. Always correcting, criticising”*
*”Im trying to help! I raised Andrew”*
*”Shes my child! Mine! I get to raise her my way!”*
*”And I get to voice my opinion!”*
Claire forced calm. *”Margaret, when you nitpick, it feels like you think Im failing. But Im trying. I love Emily more than anything.”*
A long silence. Then, quietly:
*”So do I. But perhaps we disagree on whats best.”*
*”Perhaps.”*
*”Claire if I visit, but step back could you try to tolerate me?”*
Something in Claires chest loosened.
*”Ill try.”*
*”Then Ill come for Emilys birthday. Just for two days.”*
*”Thank you, Margaret.”*
*”No. Thank you. For not cutting me out of her life.”*
Hanging up, Claire found Emily staring at her.
*”Mum, is Granny coming?”*
*”Yes, love.”*
*”And you wont be cross with her?”*
*”Ill try not to be.”*
Emily hugged her fiercely. *”Ill be extra good, so you dont fight!”*
That night, telling Andrew about the call, Claire felt strangely at peace.
*”Maybe we both messed up,”* she admitted. *”I overreacted. She overstepped.”*
*”Mums never known balance,”* Andrew said. *”Controls her comfort.”*
*”And independence is mine. Were a pair.”*
*”Think itll work?”*
*”I dont know. But for Emily? Well try.”*
On Emilys birthday, Margaret arrived with a giant cake and a small bouquet for Claire.
*”We didnt invite her,”* Claire murmured, then smiled. *”But were so glad youre here.”*
Margaret handed her the flowers.
*”Lets start fresh. Ill just be Granny.”*
*”And Ill be more patient.”*
Emily barrelled into them. *”Granny! You came! I thought you stopped loving me!”*
*”Silly girl,”* Margaret choked. *”How could I?”*
Watching them, Claire realisedtheyd kept the important thing. Love. They just had to learn to show it without barbs.
The party was oddly calm. Margaret bit back advice; Claire ignored the odd comment. Emily was happy. That was enough.
As Margaret left, she said, *”Thank you. For the second chance.”*
*”Thank you. For loving my daughter.”*
*”Our daughter,”* Margaret corrected, smiling.
For the first time in years, Claire thoughtmaybe they could be a family after all.
