Emilys phone jolted to life with an unexpected ring. On the screen flashed Gran Margaret. It was the third call that morning. She let out a deep sigh, gathered herself and hit the green button.
Hello, Gran, Im listening.
Emily, why arent you answering? Grans voice carried that unmistakable hint of reproach. Ive been calling all morning!
I was making porridge for Lily, my hands were busy, Emily lied, though the real reason was shed had enough of hearing Gran critique her parenting.
Those porridge meals again! I told you kids need meat! My Jamie grew up on steak, look how robust he is! Your Lily looks a bit pale, shell be blown away by a gust of wind if you dont change that.
Emily closed her eyes, counted to five. Lily was only three, the pediatrician had assured them she was developing just fine she just had her dads lean build.
Gran, we do give her meat too. Todays lunch will be meatballs.
Good! Thats why Im calling. Ill pop over later with some chicken broth. On the bone, just how Jamie likes it. Ill also make cutlets, my special recipe. Those meatballs of yours
Emily grimaced at the sarcasm hidden in cutlets, as if she were offering poison.
No need to worry, weve got everything, Emily tried to protest.
Worried? Im just coming to see my granddaughter! You wont stop me, will you?
That was Grans classic move phrasing a question so that any answer but yes sounded rude.
Of course, come on over, Emily gave in.
She ended the call and rested her forehead against the cool window pane. Outside, a light dusting of snow swirled, landing on the bare branches. November had turned dreary and damp.
Mum, who were you talking to? Lily peeked from the nursery, clutching a wellworn stuffed rabbit.
Gran Margaret is coming today, Emily replied, trying to sound cheery.
Is she going to say I dont eat enough again? Lily frowned.
Emily felt a pang; even Lily could sense the constant criticism.
Gran just loves you very much and wants you to grow up strong and healthy.
Lily gave a reluctant nod and went back to her toys.
Now Emily set about cleaning. Normally she and James liked a cosy, livedin mess, but with Gran arriving the flat had to sparkle. If it looks like a pigsty, the germs will move in, Gran always warned.
In two hours shed swept the floors, dusted every surface and even baked an apple pie the only thing shed ever managed to make that Gran praised.
James was due back from work around lunchtime. Both worked from home he as a software developer, she as a graphic designer but today he had an important client meeting and was heading into the office.
Exactly at two oclock the doorbell rang. Gran was as punctual as a Swiss watch.
Well, look whos here, my little bride! the short, plump woman with chestnutcoloured hair swanned in, lugging two heavy bags. Wheres my princess?
Lily shyly poked her head out.
Come here, darling! Grans brought you a treat!
The girl stepped forward and offered her hand for a kiss a habit Gran had taught her, insisting girls should grow up proper ladies.
Kisses are for grownup ladies, Gran said, bending down to hug Lily. When youre sixteen youll be handing them to gentlemen. For now, just say hello.
Emily rolled her eyes behind Grans back. The contradictions kept coming.
Let me help with the bags, Emily offered.
Yes, yes, bring them to the kitchen. Ive got a lot prepared! Jamie needs proper food, not just whatever.
In the kitchen Gran immediately turned into a commander:
Emily, fetch the big pot. Not that plastic one, the proper metal one. And wheres your bread? Do you keep it in the fridge? You cant! Itll go stale!
Emily calmly handed over the cookware. After six years of marriage shed grown used to Grans endless howtos.
Lily looks a bit pale, Gran observed, laying out jars of assorted pickles. Are you taking her out? Giving her vitamins?
We walk her every day if the weather lets us, and we give her the supplement the paediatrician prescribed, James replied.
Paediatricians! Gran snorted. What do those young doctors know? In my day
Emily sighed inwardly.
Back then we kept kids outside from dawn till dusk and toughened them up! Id take Jamie out in any weather, and he grew up healthy.
She stayed quiet, though she could have reminded Gran that James had suffered chronic bronchitis every winter and childhood tonsillitis.
Ive baked the pie. Want some tea?
Lunch first. Everything has its order. And wheres Jamie? Why isnt he here yet?
The hallway lock clicked.
Ah, there he is! Gran brightened.
James walked in, looking baffled at a pile of shoes by the door.
Mum? Why didnt you tell me you were coming?
How could I? I called Emily this morning! Gran exclaimed.
Emily gave James an apologetic grin; shed forgotten to text him about the visit.
Hey, Mum, James hugged her. How are you feeling?
Oh, the usual blood pressures up, my legs swell by evening. But I dont complain! We manage ourselves, dont bother anyone.
That was a classic line dont complain followed by a litany of ailments, a gentle reminder that he rarely visited.
Get undressed, Im heating up lunch. Ive been at the stove since dawn, making your favourite dishes.
James shot a guilty look at Emily; he knew how stressful these visits could be.
At lunch Gran launched into stories about how brilliant Jamie was as a child.
He could read at four! And the poems he recited Lily, do you know any poems?
The little girl poked at her plate with a fork.
She knows a lot, Emily interjected. Lily, tell Gran about the bear.
I dont want to, Lily muttered, pouting.
See, Jamie? Gran flapped her hands. The child is so shy. You should send her to nursery, get her mixing with other kids.
Weve already talked about that, James cut in. We decided to wait until shes four. No need to rush her.
Rush? Gran raised her voice. I gave Jamie away at two and he turned out fine! Your Lily is like a shy deer, eats nothing
Lily pushed her plate away, puffed her cheeks.
Can I go play now?
Not until you finish, Gran said firmly.
Finish your cutlet, love, Emily soothed, though inside she was boiling.
Lily forced a bite of the cutlet.
Much better, Gran nodded, satisfied. Youre spoiling her. A child needs routine, discipline. When I raised Jamie
More memories flowed about Grans right way to bring up a son.
After lunch Gran insisted Lily take a nap.
Kids must nap in the afternoon! Its essential for a proper schedule.
Emily wanted to argue that Lily no longer napped and forcing her would ruin her night, but James shook his head: better to agree than to fight.
Let her rest a bit, he whispered.
While Gran wrestled with Lily, Emily brewed tea and sliced the apple pie.
Useless, Gran returned after half an hour. Shes completely out of hand. In our day, children always listened!
Emily almost blurted, Kids were even beaten back then, but held back.
Shes just not tired yet, James said calmly. Mum, try the pie; I made it especially for you.
Gran eyed the slice suspiciously.
Hope its free of those artificial mixes? Those storebought shortcuts
All natural, Emily assured. Flour, eggs, apples from our garden, the same ones you gave us.
That eased Gran a bit.
Youve finally learned. I remember when you first got married you couldnt even fry an egg properly.
Emily stayed silent; she could have reminded Gran that shed been on her own for ten years before marriage and could cook just fine, only not the way Gran liked.
Jamie, Gran turned to her son, could you pop over sometime this week? The tap in the bathroom is leaking, and the light in the pantry is out. Im scared to climb a ladder.
Sure, Mum, James looked guilty. Ill be over on Wednesday, okay?
Wednesday? I have Aunt Nora visiting Maybe Tuesday?
Tuesday I have a client meeting, James waved his hands.
Fine, Ill just stay with the leaky tap then, Gran sighed. Its not the first time.
Emily bit her lip; the same thinveiled blackmail, the endless reproach.
I can go with you today, look at the tap, James offered, trying to ease the tension.
Grans face lit up.
Great! And while youre at it, have a look at the hallway wallpaper. Its been there five years, looks dreadful.
Wheres Lily playing? Its so quiet, Emily suddenly asked.
In her room, looking at books. I told her not to scatter her toys, Gran replied.
Emily peeked into the nursery and froze. Lily was carefully cutting out pictures from a brandnew picture book theyd just ordered yesterday.
Lily! What are you doing?
The girl looked up, unblushed.
Gran said I could cut pictures and make an album. She gave me scissors.
Emily grabbed the precious book a costly, beautifully illustrated volume theyd been excited about.
Lily, thats a brandnew book! We just started reading it yesterday!
Lilys eyes welled up.
Gran said she sniffed.
Emily inhaled deeply, trying to stay calm.
Its okay, love. Next time you want to cut something, ask Mum or Daddy first, alright?
She returned to the kitchen where Gran was animatedly chatting with James about a neighbour on the fifth floor whod had a serious incident.
Gran, Emily interjected, keeping her voice steady, did you give Lily the scissors?
Of course! Whats the problem? Kids should learn to use their hands. We were always gluing and cutting in our day. Now theyre glued to phones
But she ruined the new book, the one we just got from the online shop.
Oh, come on, its just a book! Shell have a lovely album, itll nurture her creativity.
It was an expensive book, Emily struggled to keep her temper. We wanted to read it first.
Books are paper, dear. You cant cling to them, Gran waved it off. Itll do her good.
James was caught in the middle.
Mum, she could have asked us first, he said cautiously.
Ah, so now I need permission to spend time with my own granddaughter? Who am I, a stranger? Gran flared.
No one talks like that, James tried to calm her.
Exactly! Gran snapped, rising from the table. Im the extra person in this house. I come, I cook, and all I get are complaints!
Gran, Emily also stood, nobodys complaining. There are just boundaries
Boundaries? Gran asked. What boundaries between a grandmother and a granddaughter? I raised Jamie on my own! I know how to bring up children, unlike some who cant even make a proper lunch!
Mum! James shouted. Stop this right now!
Silence fell. Lily peeked out, eyes wide.
Gran is shouting, she whispered.
Gran instantly softened.
Come here, my dear. Gran isnt shouting, just adults talking. Lets finish our album together, okay?
No, Emily said firmly. No more cutting. Lily will watch a cartoon with Dad, and well have a chat, Gran.
Gran tried to argue, but James already took Lilys hand.
Shall we watch Frozen, princess?
When they left, Emily invited Gran to sit.
Gran, I know you love Lily and only want the best for her. James and I have our own ways of raising her, and wed appreciate it if you respected that.
So I should stay quiet when I see youre getting it wrong? Gran snapped.
Youre welcome to suggest and advise, but not to decide for us. And please dont tell Lily she can do things we normally forbid.
Like what? Gran pressed.
Like cutting books, or skipping a nap, or eating sweets before lunch.
So I shouldnt pamper my granddaughter? Whats a grandmother for then?
Emily sighed. They were speaking different languages.
Pampering is fine, just within reason and after we discuss it.
Gran pursed her lips, gathered her bags.
If thats the case, Im leaving. Theres no point staying if I cant even have a proper chat with Lily.
No need for drama, Emily said wearily. Just lets try to respect each other.
I spent thirty years teaching, raised my son alone, and now I have to ask permission to let my granddaughter cut pictures! Gran muttered as she slipped on her coat.
James stepped out of the room, hearing the commotion.
Mum, are you really going?
Im off, love. Your wife doesnt like the way I deal with Lily.
Mum, dont start, James winced. Let me drive you and check the tap?
Grans face brightened a bit.
If its not a trouble, just grab a screwdriver, theres a loose hinge in the cupboard.
They left, and Emily collapsed onto the sofa. Lily quietly climbed onto her lap.
Mum, I wont cut books anymore, she said earnestly. I didnt know it was wrong.
Thats alright, sweetheart, Emily hugged her. Youre not at fault. Just ask Mum or Dad next time, okay?
Lily nodded, snuggling against her.
James returned an hour and a half later, tired but satisfied.
Fixed the tap, changed the bulb, tightened the cupboard. Gran sends her apologies and promises not to meddle with the parenting.
And I should believe that? Emily teased.
James sat beside her, pulling her close.
Of course not. But at least we get a breather for a week.
They laughed. Maybe one day things would smooth out with Gran, maybe not. For now they had their little family, their home, their rules, and theyd defend them no matter what.
A week later Gran called, as if nothing had happened, offering to teach Lily how to bake pies. Its time the girl learns a proper ladys skill, she declared, or shell grow up like the modern youth, useless. Emily sighed, exchanged a look with James, and both knew the battle would keep going. But deep down they also knew Gran truly wanted the best, even if her idea of best was very different from theirs.
