It wont cost you anything, love Victor asked again, eyebrows raised. Where did that bracelet go? Did you lose it, or pawn it? What on earth is happening?
Mum took it Ellie lowered her eyes, the words barely a whisper.
The room fell into a heavy silence. Victor sank onto the sofa, his expression a mix of bemusement and disbelief. The whole affair seemed absurd to him.
She *took* it? he repeated, bewildered. What does that even mean?
She first asked me to try it on, then said it suited her and well, I felt awkward about keeping it. Shes my mother, after all
Victor stared at his wife as if seeing her for the first time. He knew Ellie was gentlehearted, but this was a new level of softness.
And then what? She just nabbed the bracelet and walked off? Ellie, seriously?! Give me the whole story, step by step, he demanded, halfironic. He had always wanted his wife to never need anything. Now he could finally afford to think that, but Ellie not so much.
Once upon a time things were different. Theyd met in their first year at university through a mutual group of friends. Back then Victor was a naïve dreamer. Born to a modest family in Sheffield, hed promised himself that his future wife and children would always have the very best. He didnt know exactly how hed achieve that, but his enthusiasm was boundless.
Ellie, on the other hand, had no grand ambitions, just a kind soul. Victor realised hed fallen for her the day she showed up at his flat, coughing, with a thermos of steaming soup.
Sergey told me you were ill. I thought Id drop by, she said softly, slipping off her shoes.
You shouldnt have. Youll catch it too, Victor protested, yet he didnt send her away.
If we both get sick, we can nurse each other, she grinned. Im not sugar that will melt away.
In Ellie, Victor saw the woman who could hold down the fort without a second thought, simply because she liked him and liked looking after him.
A year later they were sharing a cramped rented flat in Manchester, complete with a humming fridge, a leaky tap and the occasional cockroach parade. They pulled allnighters before exams, hustled sidejobs togetherVictor lugging boxes at the local supermarket, Ellie serving tables at a café.
They weathered everything. They discovered that instant noodles werent exactly a luxury. Ellie fretted when Victor landed in hospital with gallstones and they had no money for medication. They borrowed from parents, friends, anyone whod lend a hand.
Victors circle was generous. Some needed a hand on a building site, others a fence painted for a few quid. He took almost any odd job, while trying not to overburden Ellie.
I want to help! she declared when he prepared for another gig.
Oh yeah? What will you do, haul coal? Youll break your back and our medical bills will skyrocket, Victor grumbled, though he appreciated her zeal.
When Victor finally rose to a managerial post in logistics, responsibilities multiplied, but he felt loved and awaited at home. That was enough to make him move mountains.
Step by step they built a life. First came their degrees. Victor bounced between temp agencies until a friend landed him a junior role at a large firm. The schedule was hellishlate nights, weekend raids.
Ellie kept the home running, juggling her own shift, whipping up his favourite meals, tidying up, and looking after their Labrador, Bruno, even after the dog grew old enough to limp.
Itll pass, love, shed say when things got rough.
And they did pass. They bought their first proper flat in a leafy suburb, a modest car, a weekend cottage. No more hunting for secondhand sofas on Gumtree; they shopped for brandnew furniture. Clothes were replaced not because they were worn out but because they fancied something new. Holidays were no longer spent at a cousins farm but on a beach in Spain.
Victors gifts upgraded from chocolates to cashmere coats, leather bags, gold jewelleryno special occasion needed, just a Friday night mood. Ellie blushed at price tags, which only made him more eager to pull her out of the pennypinching routine.
At first everything was brilliant. She beamed, hugged him tightly, relished the new perfume, the designer outfits, the hightech multicooker with a dozen functions.
Then the sparkle dulled. Ellie reverted to her old multicooker, a cracked handbag, misplaced perfume. Victor first thought she simply disliked the scent, then blamed old habits. Why keep wearing shoes that blister to the bone when theres a perfect new pair?
Victor decided to test the waters, and a convenient opportunity popped up. When his colleague, Simon, invited them to his birthday, Victor bought Ellie a matching gold bracelet and sapphire earrings. He wanted everyone to see the woman he adored.
Put on the dress we bought on Friday and the jewellery I got you last week, Victor said. They go together perfectly.
Ellie fumbled, claiming the bracelet had broken, that shed given it to a jeweller but couldnt recall where. Then she dropped the bomb: her mum had taken the gold and not just the gold.
So everything I bought you has ended up in your mums hands? Victors lips tightened. Ellie, seriously? Cant you push back?
She averted her gaze.
I tried. She gets angry, says she raised me, that I owe her everything, that no one will give her gifts now, but you still buy me things. She says it wont cost her a thing.
Victor covered his face with his hands, feeling robbednot of objects, but of respect.
Right, thats clear, he sighed. From now on Ill only give you things that wont disappear to your mum in a week.
Ellie fell silent; she had nothing to say. Shed been too willing to fall for the manipulations. Victor wanted to shake her awake, to tell her this wasnt acceptable, but he knew it would be futile. He simply accepted her as she was.
He realised that to keep the warmth in the house he didnt need to battle Ellie, but the leak. Even if that leak was called June Whitaker.
June was boisterous, pushy and clingy. Victor had met her almost as soon as he started dating Ellie.
I dont mean to intrude, but shed begin, then launch into a monologue of unsolicited advice.
June worked as an accountant; her husband was wherever men end up when theyd rather not be bothered. His salary was, predictably, modest.
From day one June tried to worm herself into their lives, turning up unannounced at odd hours, sometimes at eight in the morning. One evening, when her visit collided with a romantic dinner, Victor simply refused to let her in. Ellie turned pale, whispered Its my mum, but Victor stood firm.
Yes, Mum, he nodded. But we didnt expect you. Please let us know in advance next time.
Now June didnt barge in through the front door; she infiltrated through guilt, cultivated carefully in Ellies mind.
Oh, those perfume bottles! No one ever gives me anything. Can I borrow yours for a week? Lucys birthday is coming up, I want to swathe myself in fragrance and make everyone jealous, shed coo. You wouldnt mind, would you, dear? Ive given you everything.
How to fight that? Make stealing impossible. Ellies birthday was approaching, and Victor devised a new plan.
At the birthday dinner, he rose from his seat and handed Ellie a small envelope.
Sweetheart, heres a little something. I know youve always wanted to visit Italy. Have a proper holiday, on me.
Junes eyes lit up.
Oh! How lovely! Ive always dreamed of sunbathing on the Italian coast, admiring the monuments!
Dreaming is fine, but June, the second tickets on me. Youll have to travel with me, and Im not the most pleasant companion I snore loudly, blast music at night, wander around the room in my birthday suit. Ready?
Laughter erupted around the table. Ellie blushed, smiled shyly. June flushed, pursed her lips, and turned away. She stayed quiet the rest of the evening and left early. Victor grinned: hed received two gifts that night his wifes genuine smile and his motherinlaws silent retreat.
