A Wife Isn’t Your Mum, She Can Always Be Replaced
Julia, have you thought about what youre doing for New Years? her husband asked, slicing a thick wedge of cheddar for his sandwich. Times ticking, you know, best make a plan.
He said it so casually that the true meaning didnt dawn on Julia straight away. She almost dropped her mug of tea.
What do you mean, what am I doing? Im celebrating with you, of course. Or have you been put on call?
Harry finally turned, flashing her a sheepish grinthe look she loathed, the one that reminded her of guilty labradors who know theyll be fed anyway.
Not call, exactly… thing is, totally slipped my mind to mention it. Mum, Charlotte and Ellie are all going away to the Lake District for the holiday. All of Christmas, really. Mums been saying we dont spend time as a family anymore, and after Charlottes split with her husband, well, she could do with some support. So, we thought wed go just us lot. Spend some time being a proper family, you know?
Julia stared at him in disbelief, carefully putting her mug down and sinking into a chair.
Three years of marriage flickered before her eyes. She hated to admit it, but this had always been the story.
She thought back to their wedding. Well, really, it wasnt theirs at all, but Mrs. Fletchersthe mother-in-laws. While Julia hovered in white at the margin, more accessory than bride, Harry danced with his mum, comforted his tearful sister, and swung his niece around. He only noticed Julia when it was time to raise a glass or pose for a photo.
Dont be upset, thats how we do it in this family, love, he whispered, darting a kiss at her cheek. Were thick as thieves. Youll fit right in!
She tried her best. Good Lord, how hard she tried.
Take last Harrys birthday, for one. Julia spent two days baking his favourite Victoria sponge and marinating lamb. Then, the moment Mrs. Fletcher and Charlotte arrived, they pushed her dishes aside.
Oh, Julia, you do use so much butter. Harrys cholesterol isnt what it was, you know, tutted Mrs. Fletcher, placing her own steamed fishcakes centre stage. Here you are, darlingmums healthy stuff.
He devoured his mums food, chuckled at his sisters jokes about an Aunt Jean from Manchester, completely forgetting his wife was sidelined. Julia tried to join in, but the answer was always the same.
Dont fuss, Juliawere just talking about family things, Mrs. Fletcher would wave her off.
At times, Julia felt like the hired help: serve, clear up, and kindly keep out of the familys business.
And then there were extremes. Six months ago, sudden agony gripped her side. Genuinely scared, she called for an ambulance and rang Harry to come home.
Jules, can you not wait a bit? Charlottes in a right stateher heatings packed in, shes screaming down the phone. Ill sort her boiler and then come over, he snapped.
He arrived four hours later. By that time, Julia had already been taken into surgery. Charlottes boiler outranked his own wife in medical crisis. Because Charlotte is family. Julia, on the other hand, could cope. After all, a wife isnt your mumshe can always be replaced.
So, have you thought about plans yet? Harry repeated, breaking her reverie. Try not to be upset, love, yeah? Youre intelligent, youll understandfamilys all Ive got, and mums not getting any younger. Besides, you never liked all the fuss, and it would just bore you. Ellie will kick up a fuss as usual… Its another £400 for you, with meals and all, and we just cant stretch to it.
Julia flushed with indignation. Written off, with her opinion never asked.
Well, I always thought you were clever man, she spat. But oh, I seeIm just your lodger, am I? Housemaid and convenient girlfriend rolled into one?
Can you not start…? Harry grimaced. Its not like that. I just meant actual blood family. We want to catch up, have our own chats… Itd only annoy you. Have a break, meet your friends, get some sleep, binge Netflix. Ill bring you back a nice present.
Julia folded her arms, used to this sort of treatment. But there was a financial side to all this tooChristmas breaks are hardly cheap these days.
So how much is this little getaway costing us? she asked, fixing him with a hard stare.
Well… Harry fidgeted, avoiding her gaze. Prices are up this time of year, you know. With food and ski hire, I reckon one and a half grand. Maybe a bit more. But Ive worked it out! We can afford itweve three grand in savings. Ive paid the deposit already, Ill pay the balance later.
Julia felt her chest tighten. Harry was about to blow half their savings on a family jollysavings theyd built together.
Hed always found a reason to dive into their funds for a family emergency. But if Harry fell ill? Julia would spend what was leftbecause he was family. Because family takes care of its own.
But for Harry, Julia wasnt one of his own. He took his lot away on her money, leaving her behind so as not to spoil his idyll.
So Im free to celebrate New Years as I see fit? Julia shot him a look.
Yeah, of course, Harry relaxed, assuming shed given in. Go out, enjoy yourself. Well be back on the eighthshow you the photos, have a romantic night in.
Julia just raised an eyebrow.
Once Harry left for work and the door clicked shut, Julia grabbed her phone.
Time to make a plan, is it? she muttered, unlocking her banking app. Let them have their family timebut on their own tab.
She transferred out her half of the savings. By Harrys logic, that should see him through.
Then she packed her bag in a hurrypassport, laptop, a few clothes. The rest could wait.
She left the flat keys on the sideboard, her wedding ring beside them.
Late that evening, her train shuddered into her hometown. Frost nipped her cheeks, her breath curled in clouds, snow had drifted high above the pavement.
She hadnt warned her parents she was coming. She knew, though, theyd find space for her even if she arrived at midnight.
As Julia settled into a taxi, her mobile vibrated in her coat pocket. Harry. She reflexively answered.
Where are you?! came his angry yell. Julia, what the hell have you done? I tried to pay the balance, and the bank says insufficient funds! I log in, theres hardly anything left! Wheres all the money gone?
Well, you said I could spend New Year how I wanted, Julia answered calmly. So I took my share and came to Mum and Dads. Looks like youll just have to rein it in a bit.
What do you mean your share?! Were family! Wed agreed on this! Mums packed her suitcase, we just bought Ellie ski boots today!
Well, youll just have to pay for your family bash yourselves, Julia retorted. Let Moira put her hand in her pocket for once. Or Charlotte.
He went quiet. Processing, no doubt.
Jules… Harry started, his voice suddenly pleading, Dont be daft, love. Come on, nice joke. Send the money back, yeah? Weve already sorted everything
That was all your plan. No one asked me, Julia replied. You only asked what Id be doing for New Year. Well, Ive decided now. Im giving you your freedom. Mumll be delighted about the divorce. Happy New Year!
She ended the call, blocked his number without hesitating.
The taxi driver, a kind-faced elderly man, glanced at her in the rear-view mirror. Everything alright, love? he asked quietly.
Better than alright, Julia murmured. Everythings sorted now.
Her dad opened the door in his slippers and thick glasses, tracksuit sagging at the waist.
Jules? he uttered, disbelief dawning, then he yelled towards the kitchen: Jean! Drop your baking and get in hereJulies home!
Within a moment, Julia was swept up in hugs. Her mum sobbing and laughing, Dad patting her back, and the family spaniel Monty bounding around their feet.
Good heavens, you look half-starved! Mum fussed, hauling in her bag. Why didnt you ring? I’d have put the kettle on! Wheres Harry? Wherere his things?
Julia shrugged off her coat, breathed in deeply, and smiled for the first time in weeks.
No Harry, Mum. Not anymore. Its just me.
Mums face fell and froze for a secondthen, catching the look in her daughters eyes, she understood. The final straw had snapped.
Well, thank the Lord for that, she declared, dumping Julias bag again and hugging her close. He wasnt the one for you. What matters is, youre home now.
The evening passed in the kitchen, the telly humming in the background. The Snowman was playing for the umpteenth time. Dad brought out homemade sloe gin hed saved for a special occasion. Mum ladled out mountains of cottage pie and sausage rolls.
Eat up, love. Youre all skin and bone, living in that city, she scolded, piling her plate high.
Julia watched them, a warmth building in her chest. This, finally, was family. Dad grumbling at the telly, Mum laughing and telling tales of Mrs. Hill from round the corner and how Monty stole a sausage. It was an ordinary evening, radiant with the kind of love and comfort she hadnt felt since childhood.
Here, she didnt need to sit quietly while the family talks, because here, she was the familyits heart.
Mum, Dad Julia said, raising her glass of juice, thank you.
For what, love? her dad asked, bemused.
For just being you. For reminding me what a real family feels like.
Oh, now dont go getting weepy, Dad said with a gruff laugh. Eat your pie. Tomorrow were putting up the tree, Ill get the decorations out from the loft. Remember that little old cottage? Well, your brothers painted it up, youll see how smart it looks… tomorrow.
Julia smiled. She remembered. The wobbly cottage, glass baubles, and that perfect, carefree joy of childhood. She tasted the pie. It was perfecthot, rich, and comforting.
Outside, the snowstorm whirled, blanketing roads and the way back to her old life. But in this tiny kitchen, everything was simple, warm, and truly her own. At last, this was family.
