Youre no family of ours, said the mother-in-law, scooping the meat from her daughter-in-laws plate back into the pot.
Helen froze by the stove, still holding her plate. Gravy from the beef stew Martha had just cooked pooled in the centre. Piece by piece, the meat vanished back into the pot, as if her mother-in-law were counting every chunk.
Excuse me? Helen asked, unable to believe her ears.
Whats hard to understand? Martha wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face her. We never brought you into this family. You pushed your way in.
The kitchen fell so quiet that the bubbling soup on the hob was the only sound. Helen set her plate down on the table and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her hands trembled.
Martha, I dont understand. Victor and I have been married five years! We have a daughter
And what of it? Martha cut her off. Lucys our blood, thats true. But youll always be an outsider.
The kitchen door swung open, and Victor walked in. His hair was tousled, shirt unbuttonedclearly, hed been dozing on the sofa after work.
Whats going on? He glanced between his wife and mother. Why are you shouting?
Were not shouting, Martha replied calmly. Just talking. Explaining to your wife how things work in this house.
Victor frowned and looked at Helen. She stood pale-faced, lips pressed tight.
Mum, what did you say?
The truth. That the meat isnt for everyone. The familys large, and portions are tight.
Helen felt a lump rise in her throat. So this was it. Five years shed thought she was part of this family. Five years trying to please her mother-in-law, enduring her jabs and nitpicking, hoping things would improve with time.
Vic, Im going home, she said quietly. To Mums.
Wheres this home? Martha snapped. Your home is here now. Or do you think you can come and go as you please?
Mum, stop, Victor stepped toward Helen. What happened?
Helen stayed silent. How could she explain that his mother had just made it clearshe was nobody here? That even a plate of stew was too much for her?
Ill pack Lucys things, she said instead. Take her to Mums for the weekend.
And whys that? Martha huffed. Her grandmothers right here. Whats the point of dragging the child somewhere else?
Her grandmother thinks her mother isnt family, Helen replied softly. Maybe her granddaughter belongs elsewhere too.
She turned and walked out of the kitchen. Victor grabbed her wrist.
Helen, wait! Explain properlywhats happened?
Helen turned back. Her husband stared at her, bewildered, while Martha stood by the hob, pretending to stir the soup.
Ask your mother, Helen said. Shell tell you better.
In the nursery, three-year-old Lucy was playing with her dolls. Spotting her mum, she ran over gleefully.
Mummy! Look, Im feeding Katie!
Good job, sweetheart. Helen crouched and hugged her. Are you hungry?
Yes! Granny said were having stew tonight.
We are, darling. But you and I are going to Grandmas for dinner.
Your mums? Lucy beamed. Yay! Is Daddy coming?
No, Daddys staying home.
Helen began packing Lucys bagdresses, tights, toys, everything theyd need for a few days. As she folded clothes, Victor peered into the room.
Helen, whats this nonsense? Leaving over some silly row?
Nonsense? Helen straightened, facing him. Your mother just told me Im not family! Took food off my plate! Is that silly to you?
She says all sorts! You know how she ishot-headed. Shell forget by tomorrow.
But I wont, Vic! Its not the first time.
Oh, come off it. Mums just tired. Works been rough, so she snapped.
Helen laughed, but it was bitter.
Tired, is she? Five years of being tired? And Im always the one she snaps at.
Then ignore her!
Ignore being called a stranger in my own home? Vic, listen to yourself!
Victor rubbed the back of his neck, pacinga habit whenever he was stuck for words.
Helen, where will you go? Were family. Weve got a child.
Thats exactly why Im leaving. I wont have Lucy hearing her mother belittled.
Whos belittling you? Mum just gave her opinion.
Her opinion? Helen stopped packing. Vic, she took food from me! Said Im not family! Thats an opinion?
Well maybe she put it harshly. But you know how hard shes had it. Dad died youngshe raised me and my brother alone. Shes used to controlling things.
So Im supposed to live under her control forever?
Victor sat on the beds edge and took her hands.
Helen, lets not fight. Ill talk to Mum, sort it out.
Whatll you say? That Im a person too? That I have feelings?
Yeah. Ill tell her to back off.
Helen shook her head.
Vic, its not about rudeness. Its that your mother doesnt accept me! And you know it.
She just needs time
Five years isnt enough? How much longer?
From the kitchen, Marthas voice rang out:
Victor! Dinners ready! Itll go cold!
He stood.
Come on, lets eat. Well talk after.
No, thanks. Ive lost my appetite.
Victor lingered, then left. Helen heard murmurs from the kitchenvoices rising, then falling.
She pulled out her phone and dialled her mother.
Mum? Its me. Can Lucy and I stay a few days?
Of course, love. Whats happened?
Ill explain later. Were on our way.
Alright. Ive made a roastplenty for everyone.
Helen smiled despite herself. Mum always said, plenty for everyone. Never counted portions, never made anyone feel unwelcome.
After dinner, once Lucy was asleep, the two women sat with tea in the cosy kitchen.
Tell me what happened, her mother said, pouring from the teapot.
Helen recounted the days eventsthe stew, Marthas words. Her mother listened quietly, shaking her head now and then.
How did Victor react?
Same as ever. Said she was tired, that I should let it go.
I see. Her mother stirred sugar into her tea. And how do you feel?
Exhausted, Mum. So exhausted. Five years trying, and she still wont accept me. Always finds fault.
Give me an example.
Helen sighed.
The way I cook, clean, raise Lucy. When Lucy was ill last month, she outright said I was a bad mother.
And Victor?
Victor stays quiet. Or says shes just worried about her granddaughter.
Her mother set her cup down.
Sweetheart, are you happy in this marriage?
The question caught Helen off guard. She stared out the window at the streetlights, silent for a long moment.
I dont know, Mum. I used to be. Now I feel like a guest in my own family.
Why didnt you tell me sooner?
I thought itd pass. That Martha would get used to me.
Seems she hasnt.
They sipped tea in silence. Rain began pattering outside.
Mum when you married Dad, how did Gran treat you?
Her mother smiled.
Your Gran Mary? Called me daughter the day we wed. Said, Now Ive got two girls. And meant ittreated me better than her own daughter, Jane.
Why do you think?
Because she saw I loved her son. And he loved me. Where theres love, theres room for everyone.
Helen thought. Did Victor love her? Truly? Or was it just habit?
Her phone buzzed. His name flashed on the screen.
Helen, where are you? His voice was tense.
At Mums. Like I said.
When are you coming home?
Dont know. Maybe Sunday.
What dyou mean? Youve work tomorrow.
I called in sick.
A pause.
Helen, enough sulking. Come home. Well talk properly.
Talk about what, Vic? Your mother not seeing me as human?
Oh, dont be daft! Mums just Mum. She needs time.
Five years isnt enough?
Helen, dont make this harder. Were family.
Youve got one family. Turns out Ive got none.
She hung up. Her mother reached for a tissue.
Cry if you need to, love. It helps.
But Helen didnt cry. Just felt empty insideand strangely lighter, as if a weight had lifted.
The next morning, her mother went to the shops. Helen stayed with Lucy, playing dolls, reading, making plasticine animals. Lucy was thrilledGran never scolded like Granny Martha did.
Mummy, why arent we home? Lucy asked at lunch.
Were visiting Gran.
Will we stay long?
Not sure, sweetie.
Will Daddy come?
Helen looked at her daughter. So young, yet sensing something was wrong.
Daddys working. But he loves us.
Does Granny Martha love us?
Helen sighed.
She loves you. Youre her granddaughter.
And you?
Helen hesitated. How explain to a three-year-old that adults could be cruel for no reason?
Fancy hide-and-seek? she asked instead.
Lucy clapped and dashed off to hide.
That evening, Victor called again.
Helen, Mum wants to apologise.
Really?
Yeah. She knows she was out of line.
What exactly does she know?
Well that its wrong to say such things. That youre family.
Helen shook her head, though he couldnt see.
Vic, shes apologising because you made her. Not because she means it.
Whats the difference? Shes willing to say sorry.
A huge difference. It means itll happen again.
It wont. Ive had words.
What did you say?
Victor hesitated.
I told her youre my wife. That she has to respect you.
Has to? On your orders?
Exactly what is your problem? Im on your side!
Then why stay silent five years? Why let her walk over me?
I never let
You did, Vic! Your silence let her!
In the background, Marthas voice:
Tell her I made soup! Her favourite, with dumplings!
Helen shut her eyes. Even now, Martha couldnt just apologise. Had to tack on a pretend kindness.
Vic, I need time.
Time for what? Come home tomorrow.
This isnt just about going home, she said quietly. I cant live like this.
Like what?
Like I dont matter. I wont raise Lucy where Im not respected.
Helen, what are you saying?
That I need space. To think about us. Our marriage. The future.
Silence. Then Victor asked,
You want a divorce?
I dont know. Maybe.
Because of Mum?
Not because of her, Vic. Because of you. For never standing up for me. Not once in five years.
She hung up and switched off her phone. Her hands shook, but her mind was calmer.
Her mother returned, arms full of groceries.
Help me unpack, she said. Got extra mincewell make Lucys favourite meatballs.
Helen helped silently. There was plenty of meatenough for everyone, with leftovers.
Mum whats most important in a family?
Her mother thought.
Love, I suppose. And respect. Without those, its not a family.
And if ones missing?
Then its just misery.
Helen nodded. Her mother always had a way of putting things simply.
That night, they watched cartoons with Lucy, the little girl snug between them on the sofa. Warm. Safe.
Mummy, are we going home tomorrow? Lucy asked at bedtime.
Maybe, Helen said. Do you want to?
Not really. Its nicer here. Grans kind.
Children sensed more than adults realised. Lucy clearly preferred the peace of her grandmothers house.
The next morning, the doorbell rang. On the step stood Victor, holding flowers.
Hi, he said uncertainly. Can I come in?
Her mother let him in and went to make tea. Lucy cheered and hugged him.
Daddy! You came!
Course I did, princess. Missed you.
Victor sat beside Helen on the sofa.
Helen, Ive been thinking. Youre right. I shouldve defended you.
And now?
Now Ill do better. I promise.
How?
He pulled keys from his pocket.
Found us a flat. Months rent paid. Well live separately for a bit.
Helen stared.
Seriously?
Dead serious. Mum kicked up a fuss, but I insisted. Told her my family comes first.
Whatd she say?
Plenty. Doesnt matter now.
Helen took the keys. Small, ordinarybut they meant a new start. A chance to build their life without Marthas interference.
Vic what if it doesnt work? If moneys tight?
Well manage. Ill take overtime.
Her mother returned with a tray.
Teas ready. Victor, will you eat?
Thanks, Margaret. Dont mind if I do.
Her mother laid the table, setting out platesequal portions, no favourites, no one left out.
Well then, she said, sitting, shall we toast to the new home?
Helen looked at Victor, then her mother, then Lucy, who was carefully spreading butter on toast.
Yes, she said. Well toast.
Tomorrow, theyd see the new flat. Their own spacerented, but theirs. Where no one would count portions or divide people into family and outsiders.
Where thered always be a place at the table for everyone.
