A Mothers Complaints
Unable to settle her nerves, Linda Woodhouse glances anxiously out the window.
Mum, Mum, Im hungry! cries her five-year-old son, Danny, running up to her. Linda tuts and pushes him away.
Oh, go away, youre making my head spin! Go on to your Gran, ask her for some bread.
Sniffling, Danny scurries off, calling out between sobs, Gran!
Lindas mother, a stout woman in a floral apron and scarf, busies herself by the oven, trays clattering.
Hold on, Danny, just five more minutes and the rolls will be done. No use crying over it.
Mum shoved me, Gran!
She did, did she? Hm. Must be up to something terribly important then. Look at her preening at the windowwouldnt hurt to spend some time with you, read you a book!
Linda sighs from the windowsill. Stop nagging, Mum. Theres so much going on. My lifes falling apart.
What now? her mum, Betty, asks, sliding on thick oven gloves.
The neighbours from London are coming round. Theyve adopted a childtheyve gone to fetch him.
Betty freezes before slamming the oven door shut. And whats it to us? Finally realised Mark wants nothing to do with you? He loves his wife, even if she cant have children. Give up! Stop blaming Kate; its not her fault Mark passed you over. Shes a good girl, and always has been.
Linda sours at her mothers words, wraps a shawl around her shoulders, and steps outside to sit on the bench by the gate.
She pulls out sunflower seeds from her pocket, cracking them idly, her eyes drilling into the Thompsons house next door.
This house had been built by grandfather Thompson, left to his grandson Mark. Linda had never paid much attention to Mark until he moved in next doorthen she couldnt help but notice him.
Linda! her mother calls from the window. Why are you sitting about doing nothing, you lazy thing? Go deal with the garden, you can hardly walk for weeds after all that rain!
Linda, in a foul mood, ignores her and turns away, sinking further into the bench.
Around the corner, a car appears and pulls up at the house opposite. Linda shoots a venomous glance from under her fringe.
Theyve arrived.
Out hops Mark, waving cheerily, Hi, Linda! Congratulate meIm a dad!
Linda forces a strained smile then frowns. Mark soon forgets her, rushes to help his wife out, and she emerges slowly, cradling a pink bundle.
The pair look radiant, gazing at the child in rapt delight.
Hmph, grumbles Linda.
As the couple step inside, she shouts, Mum?
Her mother pokes her head out. What?
Did you see how easy it is for them? Just pop off to London and pick out a baby like its a puppy! I had to lug around a belly for nine months and go through agony giving birth, Linda spits acidly.
Betty barks back, Enough out of you! Go and find something useful to do! Youre the only one to blame for living without a husband. Dont envy your neighbour! Shes got her own troublesthe only thing shes got in life is Mark!
The window slams, and Linda glares at the Thompson house.
Look at them! Took in someone elses sin and brought it home! Coming in all smugnot even able to have a baby herself! Whys life so unfair?!
***
Over at the Thompsons, happiness reigns. Kate lays her adopted daughter carefully in her brand-new cota stylish one that Mark spared no expense on.
Youre our little miracle, Kate whispers lovingly. Mark, come and seeshes yawning. Isnt she wonderful?
Her husband tiptoes over, hands gently on Kates shoulders, gazing down at their daughter.
Shes beautiful. Im so gladwe finally have a daughter. Were parents now, Kate.
Can I change her name? I want to call her Marianne, Kate asks hopefully.
Whats wrong with Jane? Mark queries.
Kate shakes her head. She just…isnt a Jane. Whoever gave her that nameshes ours now, so I want to name her myself.
But then all the paperworkwhy didnt you say before? Mark asks.
I was scared, Mark. Scared it would all fall through, or shed be taken away. I just needed to wait until she was really ours, Kates voice trembles.
All right, Kate. Well do as you wish.
Kate meant the world to Mark. He almost lost her when she found out she couldnt have children. This little girl had saved her, brought her back from the edge.
Mark gazes at his wife, helplessly in love.
***
Later, as Kate pushes a fashionable pram out the gate, beaming, Linda peers from her window and then hurries to pull on her coat.
Hi, Kate! Howre things? Hows the little one? All well? she chirps, catching up and peering into the pram.
What a sweet little girlblue eyes, blonde hair. She doesnt look a bit like you two.
Shes not supposed to, Kate smiles calmly.
Linda chatters on, Motherhoods been good for you, you know. Youre glowing now, much calmergone are the days when youd bang your head against the wall about not getting pregnant.
Kates smile fades as she hastens her pace, Sorry, Linda, Marianne needs her sleep.
Marianne? What a strange name! Shell get teased at school for that.
I dont think so, Kate says, voice a bit shaky. Linda, perhaps youre overstepping? You have your sonfocus on him, Ill manage with my daughter. Goodbye.
Your daughter? Linda snaps as Kate hurries off.
Linda cooks up a plan; she decides to seek out Mariannes birth mother to wreck Kates happiness.
***
It takes Linda a few years. She leaves Danny with her mum and heads to London for work. She starts as a cleaner in a maternity hospital, then as a nanny in an orphanage.
Linda becomes, as they say, all ears, collecting gossip and rumours, doing whatever she must to fit in. Amazingly, she actually manages to track down Mariannes biological mothera naive young student from the countryside, Angela Hart.
Linda cultivates a friendship with Angela, offering cash and little luxuries that mean a lot to a struggling student.
***
With Linda gone, Kate feels a weight lift. Rumour has it Linda Woodhouse is working for pennies in the city and living with a distant cousin.
Good riddance, Kate says cheerfully. Mark, your Linda never liked me because she thinks I stole you.
Who? Mark looks surprised. Kate, dont listen to that rubbish. I never had feelings for Lindanor she for me, not until she was left on her own. Suddenly, because she got into trouble, I was supposed to marry herjust so I wouldnt be single. Is that a reasonable expectation?
Kate frowns. Why didnt you marry her? Shes young and good-looking, and she could have given you children.
Children arent everything for me. I never noticed Linda, not until I met youthen I knew you were the only one for me.
Kates brief smile fades. But I grew up in careno family, and I cant give you children. You must suffer with me.
Mark hugs her fiercely. I only need you. I have enough family for the both of us. So stop worrying.
***
Lindas mother, Betty Woodhouse, travels often to London, always taking a giant bag filled with butter, eggs, and home-grown veg. When she leaves, she lets Danny stay with Kateand he becomes Mariannes best friend.
Linda sometimes pesters Mark for lifts into town; he always obliges. For a while, Betty hopes Linda will meet someone and finally settle down. Time passes: soon, Danny is off to school, but Linda still begs her mum to bring supplies.
On one trip, Betty persuades Linda to quit her miserable city job and come home. So, after several years, Linda returns to the village.
She steps off the bus, stylishly dressed in a posh coat and expensive leather boots, a small shoulder bag clutched tightly. Betty lugs her garish pink suitcase, grumbling all the while:
Look at you! Starving, living off my handouts, but always in fancy clothes!
Linda hisses, Shush, Mum! Ive been dietingyou just wouldnt understand.
Dieting, eh? What a lifeno food in the house, no place of your own, rent eating half your wages! Youre better off at home, love! All those years working, and youve nothing to show but powder and rags.
Ashamed, Linda plods silently behind her mother toward the house.
Betty shakes her head. Boots like stiltstoo old to be tottering about in those. That coat will be out of fashion in a year.
You wouldnt get it, mutters Linda, wobbling as her heels sink into the damp earth, leaving deep imprints.
At the gate stand Kate and the children. Danny spots his mother and runs to her.
You look good, Linda, Kate greets, then leaves with blonde Marianne in tow.
Linda watches them go.
Striking resemblance, isnt it?
Whats that, Linda? asks Betty.
I saw that girls real motherMariannes. Theyre the spitting image! Poor Katetook in anothers child when she couldnt have her own. What if the real mum comes to take Marianne back? How could Kate bear it?
Betty scolds her. What rubbish! Go home! Stop gossiping and look after your own son; you act as if hes motherless!
Hows that? Dannys got me! Linda retorts, patting her chest.
Well, finally! Stay home and look after him, then!
**Part 2**
For her thirteenth birthday, Marianne is eager to celebratenot at home, but at a café in town, and she makes sure her mum knows it.
No, Kate refuses. We havent the money. Your Dads illhe needs care. Well have a nice tea here and invite your school friends.
I wont invite anyone! huffs Marianne. None of my real friends live heretheyre in town!
What friends are those? Kate looks puzzled.
Laura and Abigail!
Laura, Abigail those girls who visit the village in summer?
Yes! We chat all the time online. I told youI want my birthday in town at a café! We have a flat there, dont we? Why cant we go?
Marianne, the city flat is rented outwe need that money for your dads treatment. We cant afford a café trip, and the journey would be hard on your fathers back.
Marianne sulks. We can travel by bus. Dad can stay at home. Well go to the café and come back.
Kate, frustrated, says, We cant afford it! I’ve spent all day cooking, and you ask for a café. Help me out a bit! When youre older, youll get your café days and that expensive phone you want.
Marianne stares her mother down. Stop pretending were hard up! Just admit you dont want to spend moneybecause Im not your real daughter!
She storms out before Kate can recover.
Marianne! What are you saying? Kate calls, running after her into the yard.
Marianne stands on the doorstep, foot tapping relentlessly. I know everything. Youre not my real mum! My real mum lives in London and misses me.
What? Who told you that? Kate asks, her eyes welling.
Relations with Marianne have been difficult ever since she grew older. Kate has always loved her unconditionally, but the teenage years created distance.
Kate doesnt realise yet that neighbour Linda introduced Marianne to her birth mother, and theyve started chatting on the phone. Angela Hart is now a striking beauty, married to a businessman and contemplating reclaiming her lost daughter.
Please, Marianne, come inside and lets talk, Kate pleads.
No. Ill ring my mummy real mumshell come and fetch me! And shell take me to her café. She actually has her own! boasts Marianne.
Kate pales, grabbing the doorframe. Marianne…please dont go.
But Marianne is unmoved, marches indoors, grabs her bag, and goes straight to the Woodhouses next door.
Kate stands hunched at the door, barely able to breathe.
***
Mariannes boasts turn out to be true. Soon, a bright red car draws up at the Woodhouse home, and a stunning, flaxen-haired woman steps out. Kate, having regained her senses, rushes out.
Marianne! she cries as her daughter emerges from the Woodhouses gate.
Forcing herself on, Kate confronts the stranger. What do you think youre doing, taking my daughter? Ill call the police and report this!
Angela looks her up and down. Im her birth mother, arent I? You took her from methank heavens some kind soul told me where to find her!
Linda stays inside but cranes through the window, hanging on every word.
Marianne faces Kate. Mum, just leave us be! I begged for a birthday in a café, but Dad mattered more to youso be with him. Ill go, have a day out, and come back. Ill be with my mum, not a stranger, so dont worry!
Kate reels. Youre calling her Mum now? What about me?
Marianne shrugs, climbs into the car, and ignores her mothers tears.
***
Kate sobs for hours, plagued by regret.
Her husband Mark returns by evening, pale from yet another day of treatment. Illness has devastated his health and taken his job.
Mark, we need to talk, Kate says on the doorstep. I dont know how, but Marianne Her mother came for her. Her real mother. Theyve gone to town for her birthday.
Mark stares, trying to take it in. Her mother came? And you let Marianne go? Are you mad, Kate?
Shoulders hunched, Kate replies, She isnt really ours, not anymore not if she calls the woman who abandoned her Mum.
And you just let her go? Honestly, Kate?
***
It takes a few more years before it becomes clear Marianne wants to leave for good and live with her birth mother.
Im not eating that rubbish, Marianne sneers at the dinner table. Im off to the city this weekendwith my mum. Well go to a café, the cinemahave real food for once.
Kate has adapted her approach, refusing to let her daughter boss her and Mark.
We could go together, she suggests, picking up Mariannes abandoned plate and tossing the untouched food.
Im not going with youyou havent even a car, Marianne snaps.
But this other mum of yours has, does she? Kate manages. Fine, go. But dont forget, in the eyes of the law, youre ours. We adopted you. When youre done gallivanting, come home.
Mariannes eyes flash. Youre a rubbish mother. Cant even get me the latest phone or designer clothes! Angela and I, though, we get on just fine.
Marianne sweeps her glossy hair, hands on the tablenails painted a garish red. Shes grown into a beautiful young woman, making Kates heart ache with loss.
Kate buries her face in her hands, unwilling to hear any more.
How dare you speak to your mother like that, you wretch! Mark calls from the doorway, limping in.
Shes not my mother! Marianne yells, slamming the door behind her.
Kate tries to hold back tears, looking at Mark.
Dont mind her, Markits the teenage years, they all rebel. You mustnt get upset, she soothes him.
He shakes his head. We ought to put our foot down; shes completely out of control. Ungrateful little Who filled her head with this? Linda?
Kate holds his hand tightly. Let them be, Mark. Remember, whatever happens, its you and me.
Kate pulls his face close, looking into his eyes. As long as I have you, Ill be okay. We have to let Marianne choose, even if she leaves. Ill never be aloneyoull be here.
***
Linda, feeling a thrill of triumph, watches through the window as Angela collects Marianne.
Unable to contain herself, Linda rushes over.
Well, Angela?! I saw you packing upwhats happening? she exclaims.
Angela smiles. They let me take Mariannethanks to you, darling. Come visit in London; Ive a necklace for you.
Linda grins, catching sight of sorrowful Kate, wandering the garden like a ghost.
Marianne cheerily lugs her things. Mum, Im ready! she calls.
She glances at Kate, frowns. Mum. Well, sorry, Mum.
She moves to hug Kate, but Kate steps back. Go on. When I took you from the orphanage, tiny and defenceless, I never imagined youd betray Mark and me, forgive the woman who dumped you, and exchange us for some gifts and a new phone.
Choking back tears, Kate flees. Marianne hangs her head.
Lets go, shall we, love? Angela prompts.
Betty Woodhouse hurries over. What are you thinking, Marianne? You really believe you can trample on your parents and live happily?
She turns to Linda. And you, Lindago home! Cant believe you brought that snake herethe one whos ruined Kates life!
***
Despite everything, Linda finds no satisfaction in revenge. As she reflects, she realises youth has slipped away, Danny is grown and off to university, and her mother has passed awaykindly helped to her rest by the neighbours.
Kate and she never speak again, except for practical matters, and Kate never seems to bear a grudge.
After Bettys funeral, Kate never sets foot in Lindas house again.
***
Years later, when Mark and Kate bring home five-year-old Andrew, adopted from care, Linda nearly faints with shock.
Again?! Havent they learnt their lesson? Unbelievable!
***
It turns out Angela Hart is a poor mother after all.
Angela was the mistress of a married café tycoon, who already had grown children and flatly refused to let her have more. When he gave her the bootspurred on by Marianne being rudeAngelas maternal devotion vaporised.
Its your fault. I counted on you and Paul getting on. Now Ill have to find another rich man. Youll get in the way. Best go back home to your mum.
Marianne snaps, Im leaving anyway. Ive never felt at home here. Truth be told, I only stayed away from Mum and Dad because theyve got another child now!
***
One night, a soft knock at the door and the glare of headlights wake Kate. She checks on sleeping Mark and Andrew, then opens the door.
Who is it? she asks cautiously.
Its me, Mum.
Kate would know Mariannes voice anywhere. She flings open the door.
Her daughter stands therea mess, streaked with tears. The car speeds away.
Mum, Im so sorry for everything, Marianne sobs.
I knew youd come back, my darling, Kate says, pulling her into an embrace, forgetting all the pain her daughter ever caused.
Im so, so sorry, Mum, Marianne weeps, I didnt understand how much I was hurting you and Dad. I just wanted a glitzy life but I missed you both so much. I was too scared to ringthought youd hate me
Youre always welcome home, sweetheart, Kate whispers, where Dad and I will love you, no matter what.Kate holds Marianne tight, rocking her on the porch as if she were still a little girl curled on her lap. The years between them seem to melt in the hush of that embrace. Above them, a moth flutters against the porch light; down the hall, Mark stirs and steps out in his threadbare robe, blinking sleep from his eyes.
He stops, sees Marianne, and a tremor flickers over his faceanger, relief, love all tangled up. Marianne runs to him, flings her arms around his waist, sobs breaking the silence of the small house.
Dad, Im sorry, she chokes out, I never I didnt mean
He pats her hair awkwardly, lips set tight, but then with a shudder he gathers her in and holds on, too.
They stand in the doorwaythree figures silhouetted by warm lamplightwhile dawn pinks the edge of the sky. Inside, Andrew stirs and calls for his mum. Kate goes to him, her heart lighter than it has been in years. Marianne comes in behind her, clutching her hand, fearfully glancing at the baby brother shes never really known.
At breakfast, there is no grand apology, only silence and the scrape of chairs and a single trembling Pass the jam. But Kate smiles through her tears, and Mark butters Mariannes toast, awkward and careful, as if reacquainting himself with love.
Outside, Linda lingers on her porch, faded coat buttoned to her chin, watching the house next door spill laughter and light through misted windows. For a fleeting second, envy and sorrow twist inside her, but then dissolve, leaving only the ache of choices made.
As the village wakes, life rolls forwardclattering kettles, childrens shouts on the lane, birds fussing in the hedges. The Woodhouses garden stands empty, unweeded but glorious with wild marigolds. Kate watches Marianne help Andrew tie his shoes, a fragile peace settling over them all.
Wounds remain, but the miracle isnt in forgetting. Its in coming home, in being forgiven. Its in finding, after all the storms and loss, that lovethe real kind, stubborn and imperfectwas always waiting at the door.
And for the first time in years, Kate feels hope rising, gentle but unstoppable, as the morning sun floods every room.
