28 October 2025
Today the doorbell rang just as I was wiping my hands on the kitchen towel. The sound was sharp, announcing an unexpected visitor. I slipped off my apron, dried my palms, and went to answer it. Standing on the doorstep was Emily, my daughter, handinhand with a young man I didnt recognise. I ushered them inside.
Hi, Mum, Emily planted a quick kiss on my cheek. This is David; hell be moving in with us.
Hello, the lad said politely.
And this is my aunt Lucy, Emily added, gesturing to the petite woman beside her.
My name is Lucy Harding, my aunt corrected, smiling at her niece.
Emily asked, Whats for dinner, Mum?
I replied, Pea purée and sausages.
David scrunched his nose. I dont eat pea purée, he said, stepping away toward the hallway.
Emilys eyes widened in exaggerated disbelief. Mum, David wont eat peas! she exclaimed.
David flopped onto the sofa, dropping his backpack on the floor. I reminded him, Thats actually my bedroom.
Come on, David, Ill show you where youll be staying, Emily called, tugging at his sleeve.
He muttered something about liking it there and got up, still looking disgruntled.
Mum, could you think up something to feed David? Emily asked.
I only have half a packet of sausages left, I shrugged.
Just a bit of mustard, ketchup and some bread will do, he replied.
Fine, I muttered, heading for the kitchen. In the past Id rescued abandoned kittens and puppies, but now this was the latest crisis: feeding a new soninlaw.
I spooned a serving of mushy peas onto a plate, added two fried sausages, nudged a small salad bowl closer, and began eating with a hunger born of a long shift at the bakery.
Mom, why are you eating alone? Emily asked as she entered the kitchen.
Ive just come home from work and Im famished, I answered, chewing a sausage. If anyone else wants food, they can serve themselves or cook it. By the way, why is David moving in with us?
How could I not be surprised? Hes my husband, Emily blurted.
I nearly choked on my own words. Husband?
Yes, thats it. Im nineteen now, you know.
You didnt even invite me to a wedding.
There was no wedding, we just signed the papers and thats that. Since were now husband and wife, well be sharing the flat. Emily looked at me, halfamused, halfannoyed.
Congratulations, I said, forcing a smile. Why no ceremony?
If you have money for a wedding, feel free to hand it over; well find something to spend it on.
Got it, I said, still chewing. And why here, of all places?
Because the twobed flat we have is already occupied by four people.
Did you even consider renting a place?
Why would we rent when I have a spare room? Emily replied, surprised.
Understood.
Will you bring us anything to eat?
Emily, theres a pot of peas on the stove and the sausages are in the pan. If thats not enough, theres half a packet left in the fridge. Help yourselves.
Emily stared at me and said, Mum, youve got yourself a soninlaw now.
And what? Im supposed to break out into a little jig for that? Im exhausted after work, lets skip any ceremonial dancing. Use your own hands and feet, youll manage.
Exactly why youre still single! Emily snapped, slamming her bedroom door. I finished my dinner, cleared the plates, washed the dishes, and retreated to my room. I changed into my gym clothes, grabbed my bag, and headed to the local leisure centre. Im a freespirited woman who spends several evenings a week in the swimming pool and the weight room.
By ten oclock I was back home, eager for a hot cup of tea, only to find the kitchen in disarray, as if someone had attempted a meal and given up. The lid of the pea pot was missing, leaving the mush dried and cracked. Sausage packets lay open on the counter, next to stale bread without its wrapper. The frying pan was scorched, its nonstick coating scraped with a fork. Dishes piled in the sink, and a sweetsmelling puddle spread across the floor. The air reeked of cigarettes.
Blimey, this is new, I muttered. Emily never let anything like this happen.
I knocked on Emilys door. In the hallway, a couple was sipping wine and smoking.
Emily, clean up the kitchen, will you? Buy a new pan tomorrow, I said, stepping back into my room without closing the door.
Emily sprang up, storming after me.
Why should we clean? Im a student, I dont earn money for a pan. You think Im scared of the dishes?
Look, Emily, the house rules are simple: eat, then clear up; make a mess, then clean it; break something, replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. And yes, the pan wasnt cheap; its ruined now.
You dont want us to stay here, she snapped.
Nope, I replied calmly. I had no desire to argue with her; it had never been an issue before.
But I have a claim, she huffed.
Not really, the flat is mine outright. I paid for it, bought it. Youre just on the lease. Dont expect me to solve your problems. If you want to stay, follow the rules.
Ive lived my whole life by your rules. Im married now, and you dont get to tell me what to do, Emily shrieked. Besides, youre old; you should hand over the flat to us.
Ill give you the hallway outside and a bench on the common area. So, youre married? You never asked me, but youre staying here alone or with your husband elsewhere. Hes not moving in.
Fine, keep your flat, Emily shouted, gathering her things.
Within minutes, David, now my soninlaw, barreled into my room, sloshed from his drink.
Alright, Mum, calm down and everything will be fine, he slurred, swaying. Emily and I arent going anywhere tonight. Behave, and maybe well be affectionate later.
What am I, your mother? I snapped. Your parents are still there; go bother them, and dont forget to bring your new wife along.
He raised a clenched fist, pressing it to my nose.
I clutched his hand with manicured fingers, all my strength behind it.
Get off me, you lunatic! he growled.
Mom, what are you doing? Emily screamed, trying to yank me away.
I pushed Emily aside, landed a knee in Davids groin, then elbowed his neck.
Ill file a complaint, the drunk muttered, Ill sue you.
Ill call the police so they can record everything, I warned.
The couple fled the twobed flat, leaving the door ajar.
Youre not my mother anymore, Emily yelled as she disappeared, and youll never see my grandchildren.
Such a pity, I said dryly, Ill finally have some peace. I glanced at my hands; a few nails were split.
Its all losses because of you, I muttered.
After they were gone, I washed the kitchen, tossed the ruined pea pot and the battered pan, and changed the locks. Three months later, Emily stopped by after work, looking gaunt, her cheeks hollowed, eyes dull.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
I havent decided yet, I shrugged. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, she whispered, and a bit of salad.
Alright, lets get the chicken, I said. Youll have to sort the salad yourself.
She said nothing more; David never turned up again.
The flat feels quieter now, and for the first time in a long while I think I might actually enjoy the solitude.
