– And why are you here with all those suitcases? I asked in surprise, my voice a bit shaky.
– Well be living here now, my mother-in-law declared, chin lifted in dignified announcement.
I, Emily, wandered anxiously through the flat, trying to imagine how I might create more space. There were two rooms but only one with any privacy, and that always bothered me. The other was just too small seriously, what were the architects thinking? I daydreamed about convincing my husband, Richard, to sell this cramped little place and perhaps buy a cottage in one of those charming greenbelt villages. Id even begun browsing the property listings. True, this flat sat on a popular street, mid-floor, with the park just outside, the primary and secondary schools both a stones throw away, and every corner shop or supermarket within quick reach. Little flats like this fetched a stunning price these days, despite their size. Meanwhile, houses outside the city could be had for a song, with actual gardens and room to grow. Perhaps even a little patio and space for a pool! With the leftover money, I could finally buy that secondhand car. Id always meant to get my licence; Dad taught me to drive on the farm, but I never found time to take the test. Now I actually had a reason. After strolling around the flat once more, seeing that there was just no rearranging my way to more space, I resolved that tonight, Id start planting the idea of a sale in Richs head.
Deciding against cooking, I thought I’d just order something lovely from the deli. The way to a mans heartand, lets face it, his walletis often through his stomach. Ordering was quicker, tastier, and let me focus on more important things.
Settling in my armchair, laptop in hand, I started searching for dinner deals likely to please Richard and save a bit of cash, too. The ring of the bell startled me before I’d made a selection. Expecting a friend to pop in for a cuppa, I hurried to answer it. But there, on the doormat, stood my mother-in-law Ruth and her new gentleman friend, flanked by two massive suitcases. My gaze slowly met Ruths face.
– Why are you here, bags and all? I squeaked.
– Well be living here. she announced, stepping right through the doorway This is still my flat, in case you forgot.
She ushered her companion in, directing him to carry the cases behind her
Several months earlier
– Mum, youre winding yourself up over nothing, Richard had said, irritation creeping into his voice. Emilys fine with you, youre just imagining stuff.
– Oh, Rich, she glares at me like Im some stray dog, I honestly don’t know how to please her. Perhaps I should just stay at the cottage for a bit? You two could settle into routine, Emily could acclimatise, and I wouldn’t be in the way.
– Exactly, Mumit’s all just in your head. Emily wants to get closer, but it’s still early days. The cottage needs a lot of work before you can live there, and I havent any time to sort it. We just need to muddle through for a bit.
And so Ruth soldiered on. Emily, having only joined their household a few months ago, always acted as if everyone owed her something, her displeased expression pushing Ruth to the point of hiding behind the old screen in the spare room. Still, Ruth tried to justify it; shed felt out of place when she first moved in with her own mother-in-law. Society had been more deferential to elders back then, and Ruth had gone out of her way to help, to please her hosts. Yet, there were four kids besides her husband, and space had always been tight; she felt she was in someone elses way, occupying a private corner when the younger siblings were all squashed into a single room. Nothing could be done about it, and Ruth and her husband waited a long while before having children themselves. There simply wasn’t room for one more, at least till the others grew up and moved on.
Ruth and George had both worked in a brickworksgruelling, unrelenting work, but one day, the factory allocated them this modest but central flat. Over the moon, the couple began planning for a family. But the pregnancy just didnt happenperhaps Ruths health had suffered from all those years of hard labour, perhaps it was always going to be difficult. They took holidays at spa towns, visited healing springs in hopes, but nothing changed.
It wasnt until Ruth, at forty-three, was gripped one morning by such sudden nausea that she couldnt even get to worka doctor cheerfully announced her true condition.
– Couldnt tell pregnancy from food poisoning at your age? hed grinned. Ruth nearly fainted.
– Pregnant? she repeated, incredulous.
– Thats right, about nine weeks along.
Hidden joy mixed with tears; she and George knew at oncethis long-awaited child would be loved beyond measure. Ruths late pregnancy was difficult; she was mostly signed off sick, and when baby Richard finally arrived, George insisted she quit factory work entirely.
– How will I manage with no pension? Ruth fretted.
– Well manage, George insisted, youll find something, even if its just cleaning. Your primary job is raising our son rightthats the greatest responsibility.
But Georges relentless night shifts eventually wore him down; he died young, just as Richard turned ten.
Ruth returned to work. She watched over Richard as best as she could, still sending him to his after-school activities. When he tried to help by offering to get a job at fifteen, she stopped him firmly.
– No, you must concentrate on school, then universityyou need a real future. Ill manage until then, and when you’ve graduated, Ill finally have a rest. Learn while you can.
Richard took this to heart. He finished school with solid marks, won a scholarship to university, and within weeks of graduating, landed a plum placement at a respectable London firm.
But as for romance, Richard kept away, thinking it better to get settled before searching for happiness. Love, however, found him unexpectedly. One night, coming through Hyde Park, he spotted a girl weeping on a bench. He couldnt pass her by.
– Are you alright? he asked.
The girl looked up, reddened eyes brimming.
– Missed the last coach to the countryside. Mobiles dead. Came up to see a friend at the halls, but shed gone home for the weekend. I dont know anyone else, havent any money for a cab Dadll kill me.
– Well, come inside to ours for a cuppa and homemade pies. Charge your phone, ring your folks, and Ill book you a taxi when youre ready.
The girl eyed him dubiously.
– I dont know you!
– My mums home. Shell open the door and you’ll see it’s safe. You can wait downstairs if you prefer; no ones dragging you anywhere, but staying heres not wise.
She nodded, blinking away tears. When they got to his flat, Richard invited her to stand in the hall while he summoned Ruth. He explained the situation, and Ruth was all hands and concernfetching for her a fresh bathrobe and a hot towel.
– Off to the bath with you, never mind protests. You need warming up. Ill have a herbal brew ready, just picked the lot myself.
Emily (as she introduced herself), her phone now charging, soon joined them for tea and a pie. Calling her parents, she handed the mobile to Ruth, who explained shed keep Emily safe overnight and see her to the bus depot in the morning.
And so, Emilys first night in the city was spent in Ruths home, sleeping on the sofa, while Ruth stayed behind her trusty screen.
In the days following, fate seemed to intervene; Emily returned again, each time bearing small tokens from her family: jams, cream, foraged fruit. Ruth was charmed. Over lunch, Emily asked, shyly:
– Mind showing me around sometime?
– What, you don’t know London at all? Thats tragic! Next Saturday! Ill take you proper sightseeing.
Emily took every opportunity for a visit, until one day, Richard announced to Ruth that while on a city walk theyd taken a detourstraight to the registry office. The wedding would be a simple country affair at Emilys parents place; the newlyweds would live with Ruth, at least for the time being.
– I suppose youll all be at Ruths place then, Emilys father said. Well handle the festivities, everythings homegrown or raised, my ciders the finest around!
Richards relatives were fewjust a couple of aunts and a friend or two. His childhood friend, Samantha, declined to attend, and Richard imagined she was simply reluctant to make the journey. Life, he thought, would soon settle into routine once again.
After the wedding, Emily changed. One afternoon she cornered Rich.
– Are we always living with your mum, then?
– Its only temporary. Im being considered for promotion, youll get a job soon, and well start saving. Maybe well get a mortgage.
– Absolutely not! Emily protested. I wont take on that kind of debt!
– Have you any other ideas? he asked.
– Why not have your mum sell the flat? Emily suggested, stroking his hair.
– She and Dad worked their whole lives for this place, I cant just throw her out.
– She could move in with my parents, Emily pressed. Theres a spare outhouse.
Richard laughed at the suggestion.
– Shes not about to spend her retirement stoking fires and living with no indoor plumbing just to please us! We need to work for our own place.
– Wasnt so hard in your parents’ daythey just handed flats out to anyone working in factories.
– Oh, they made people sweat for these four walls! Dad died young for all that graft.
Emily would always drop the topic, but not for long. She circled backthis time with a new angle.
– Your mum mentioned the cottage needing work. I know someone whod do repairs for next to nothing, just to keep busy. Maybe she could move out thereitd be all fixed up for her by summer!
– Ill bring it up with Mum, Richard promised, rubbing his temples.
The next morning, after seeing Richard off, Ruth went to market and returned determined to cheer Emily with pancakes and cream. Shed just raised her hand to knock when she heard Emilys voice through the door.
– Are you sure hes got a flat? Emilys words froze Ruth in place.
– The old girls fine, shes a good catch for him. I just hope your grandads actually got the property. I need to offload her before she does my head in. Then Ill have Richard under my thumb, easy. Anyway, gotta go find grub shes disappeared since morning, will have to make breakfast myself. Neighbours pancakes have made me ravenous!
Ruth reeled; she quietly returned to the kitchen, reminding herself to breathe. When Emily eventually shuffled in, Ruth acted as if nothing was amiss.
– Oh, youre in? Emily said. I thought I smelled pancakes from the neighbours.
– Got up early to let you sleep in. Tuck inhomemade cream, just like at home.
– Not really, Emily replied, dipping a pancake. My mum never had time for breakfast. We lived off the veg patch and what was in the larder.
Ruth thought to distract herself.
– Never did see the point of a big homestead unless its for the money.
– What money? Emily laughed. Dad spends it all on cars and tractors. Mum doesnt get a look in.
Later, Emily turned Ruths own plan against her.
– Mum, about that cottage. My friends acquaintance could start right away, but youd need to be there, guiding the job. If youre keen, Ill ring him.
– Why not? Ruth smiled, already suspecting there was more to the repairman than met the eye.
Thus began Ruths sojourn in her little country cottage, with the retired handyman, Mr. Howard, quickly becoming both builder and companion. They found a rhythm: his diligent repairs, Ruth working the garden, the two of them sharing tea on long evenings, deep in conversation about everything and nothing.
Emily turned up unannounced one day, full of sly insinuation.
– Oh, Ruth, what a man! Skillful, charming, and I think he likes you, she whispered conspiratorially.
– My dear, at my age? Ruth laughed off the comment, roleplaying the part she and Mr. Howard had quietly agreed to.
Emily and her friend returned later with a bottle of wine, chattering about how Ruth and the handyman looked a proper couple. His handiwork was praised, and Emily persisted:
– See, Ruth? Two is always better than one, especially when the one is such a catch!
– You might have a point, Ruth replied with a wry smile.
Summer slipped by. When the repairs finished, Mr. Howard returned to town, coming back one evening with roses and cake.
– Youve guessed it, havent you? he grinned. I want to be with you, Ruth. I didnt expect to find companionship at my age, but this feels real.
– I feel the same, Ruth finally admitted, heart quickening.
Richard and Emily visited for dinner. Emily anticipated her great win.
– Were getting married, Ruth announced, a bit shyly.
The look on Emilys face was giddy delight; Richard stared, dumbfounded.
– Youre serious, Mum?
– Im young enough, dont you think? Emily cut in. And they suit each other perfectly!
Afterwards, Ruth and Mr. Howard settled in front of the fire.
– Your son, Ruth, he doesnt know about Emilys schemes.
– I think youre right, Ruth admitted. Thats a relief, actually.
A month later, Ruth married Mr. Howard. Emily acted as if she herself were the one tying the knot. Now, believing herself lady of the flat, she daydreamed about selling it and, someday, inheriting Mr. Howards larger property for herself and Richard.
But a few weeks later, Ruth and her new husband turned up on the doorstep with suitcases in tow.
– Why the luggage? Emily spluttered.
– Were moving in! Ruth declared, firmly. This is still my flat, if you remember.
– Its cold out at the cottage already, Mr. Howard added sheepishly. We thought it best to return to town.
– Why here, not to your place? Emily bristled, already picturing a clever trade with the larger flat shed heard about from her friend.
– He hasnt got one, Ruth said, deadpan, hiding a smile.
– What? Whyd you marry him then, just to bring him here? Were squeezed as it is!
– Is marriage just about square footage, Emily? Werent you wishing me happiness? Well, this is it! Which room, Howard?
– The private one, Id say, Mr. Howard replied, glancing innocently at the pale Emily. Newlyweds can hardly sleep in a walkthrough.
– No chance! Emily dashed into the bedroom, slamming the door. Richard will have something to say about this!
Richard was blindsided by the intrusion, realising only then that Emily had been spinning her own story.
– Well rent somewhere, even if its tight, Richard decided. Ill get my bonus soon, well make it work.
– You cant be serious! Emily shrieked. I refuse! Ive had enough of these two, always meddling!
She packed her bags and demanded a taxi, ignoring Richards reminder that the lane floods easily. She stormed out; he and Ruth stood in awkward silence.
A couple of days later, Richard came home, looking resolute, and told Ruth hed filed for divorce.
– Are you sure? Ruth gently asked.
– Quite. I dont want to spend my life with someone like that. I never knew what she was up to. I genuinely thought you two fell in love naturally.
– Well, so we didshe just set up the meeting, Ruth smiled. And well be moving to Howards, now the renovations are finished. This flat is yours, just dont make the same mistake twice.
– Never again, Richard promised. Ive realised how much Ive missed Sam. If shell have me, I mean to make sure shes never far from my side again.
– Thats what I like to hear, Ruth said, hugging her son.
