The doorbell rang out with a harsh, jarring noise, breaking the quiet of the flat. Lucy took off her apron, dried her hands, and went to see who it was. Standing outside was her daughter, arm in arm with a young man. Lucy stepped aside, letting them in.
Mum, hi! her daughter said brightly, kissing her on the cheek. This is Callum. Hes moving in with us.
Afternoon, Callum mumbled, nodding politely.
And this is my mum, Auntie Lucy, her daughter continued.
Lucy Browning, she corrected pointedly.
Mum, whats for supper?
Pea mash and sausages.
I dont eat peas, Callum said at once, kicking off his trainers as he strolled into the living room.
Mum, honestly, Callum doesnt eat peas, her daughter protested with wide-eyed innocence.
Callum sprawled on the sofa, tossing his rucksack to the floor.
This is actually my room, Lucy stated.
Come on, Callum, let me show you where well be staying, her daughter chirped, tugging at his arm.
I like it here, Callum grumbled, reluctantly getting up.
Mum, just work out something Callum can have, yeah?
Lucy shrugged. Im not sureprobably about half a pack of sausages left.
Thatll do, with mustard, ketchup, and some bread, Callum called back cheerfully.
Perfect, muttered Lucy as she retreated to the kitchen. Used to be kittens and puppies she dragged home, now its this, and Ive got to feed him too.
She filled her plate with pea mash, added a couple of browned sausages, and pulled over the salad bowl. She began eating with gusto.
Mum, why are you eating here by yourself? her daughter asked, suddenly appearing in the kitchen.
Because Ive come home from work and Im hungry, Lucy replied, chewing thoughtfully. Anyone else who wants food is welcome to help themselves. Or cook. But I have one question. Why is Callum moving in?
Her daughter looked offended. Because hes my husband.
Lucy nearly choked. Your what?
Yeah. Im an adult now. I can decide for myself whether to get married or not. Im nineteen, you know.
You didnt invite me to the wedding.
There wasnt a weddingjust the registry. Now were married, so were living together, her daughter said, glancing away.
Congratulations, I suppose. Why no proper wedding?
If youve got money for a wedding, you can just give it to us. Well find a use for it, her daughter retorted coolly.
Lucy rolled her eyes, tucking into her food. So, why here, exactly?
Because hes living with three others in a one-bedroom flat, her daughter said, surprised.
So you didnt consider renting?
Why rent when Ive got my own room?
Right.
Can you sort something for us to eat?
Everythings on the hobpea mash, sausages in the pan, and another half-pack in the fridge. Help yourselves.
Mum, you dont get it. You have a SON-IN-LAW now, her daughter declared, drawing out the word.
And? Am I supposed to break out into a Morris dance or something? Lorna, Ive worked all day. Please, spare me the rituals. Youve got handsserve yourself.
Thats why you never married!
Lorna glared at her mum and stormed off to her room, slamming the door. Lucy finished her meal, washed up, tidied the kitchen, and retreated to her own bedroom. She changed and left for the gym, tossing her bag over her shoulder. Lucy was free, and she spent several evenings a week at the gym and in the pool.
She came home just before ten, longing for a hot cup of tea. Instead, she found chaos in the kitchen. Apparently, someone had tried to cookcasserole lid missing, the mash congealed and cracked, sausage wrappers strewn across the table, crusty bread left out. The frying pan was burnt, its non-stick coating scratched beyond hope. Dirty dishes piled in the sink, and there was a sticky puddle on the floor. The flat stank of cigarette smoke.
Thats a new one. Lornas never done anything like this before.
Lucy opened her daughters door. The couple were smoking and swigging cheap red wine.
Lorna, clear up the kitchen. And tomorrow, youre buying a new frying pan, Lucy said, heading back to her room, leaving the door open.
Lorna jumped after her. Why should we do it? Where am I supposed to get money for a pan? Im still studying! You care more about a pan than your own daughter?
Lorna, you know the rules in this house: eatclean up; make a messclean up; break somethingreplace it. That pan wasnt cheap, and its now ruined.
You just dont want us here! Lorna burst out.
No, Lucy replied calmly. The last thing she wanted was an argument. Lorna had never acted this way before. You may have married, but that doesnt mean Im obliged. You can stay if you stick to house rules.
Ive spent my whole life living by your rules. Now Im married, and you cant tell me what to do, Lorna shrieked. Youve had your timelet us have the flat now!
Lucy stared, unfazed. Youre welcome to the stairwell, or the bench outside. So, you didnt ask me about getting married. Here are your options: sleep here alone, or find somewhere else with your husband. He isnt living here.
Lorna fumed. Fine, keep your precious flat. Come on, Callum. Were off.
Five minutes later, Callum stumbled into Lucys room, clearly the worse for drink.
Look, mother-in-law, dont cause any trouble and everything will be sound. Look after us, well even keep it quiet at night, he winked.
I am not your mother-in-law, Lucy spat. Your parents are back at your own placego home to them, and take your wife.
Callum raised his fist, shoving it in front of her face.
Quick as a flash, Lucy grabbed his hand with her manicured fingers, twisting hard.
Owlet go, you nutter!
Mum, stop it! Lorna screeched, trying to pull her mother away.
Lucy shook off her daughter and kneed Callum square in the groin, then threw an elbow into his neck.
Ill report you for assault! Callum bawled.
Go onlets call the police right now and make it official, Lucy replied coolly.
They left, abandoning the tidy two-bed flat.
Youre no mother of mine, Lorna shouted from the hallway, Youll never see your grandchildren!
Oh, tragedy, Lucy said dryly, settling into her quiet.
She glanced at her handshalf her nails were ruined.
Youre nothing but trouble, she muttered.
Once theyd gone, Lucy cleaned the kitchen, binned the mashed peas and the wretched frying pan, and changed the locks. Three months later, her daughter found her outside work. Lorna had lost weight; her cheeks were hollow and she looked miserable.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked quietly.
Ive not decided yet, Lucy shrugged. What do you fancy?
Chicken and rice, Lorna replied, swallowing hard. And salad.
Then lets go buy some chicken, Lucy said gently. You can make the salad.
She never asked about Callum, and he never crossed their doorstep again.
