My son lives here, so Ill be staying as well, Eleanor declared as she stepped into the flat.
Lets drive down to the market on Saturday and get some seedlings, Megan suggested, pouring tea for her husband. Well pick tomatoes and cucumbers for the garden.
Andrew gave a halfnod, scrolling through the news on his phone.
Sounds good. Lets leave early, or well end up in a queue.
Agreed, Megan said, settling opposite him. And perhaps we could catch a film in the evening? Theres a new release Ive been meaning to see.
Andrew lifted his eyes from the screen and smiled.
Of course, love. Its been ages since weve gone out just the two of us.
Megan let out a contented sigh. She imagined quiet evenings, weekend plans, no rush at all. After eight years of marriage they had learned to cherish this gentle family rhythm.
The phone rang. Andrew glanced at the caller ID and frowned.
Moms calling. Odd, she rarely rings at this hour.
Answer it, Megan prompted.
Hello, Mum, Andrew switched to speaker. Whats the matter?
Andrew dear, I have news! Eleanors voice rang with excitement. Ive sold my flat!
Megan and Andrew exchanged startled looks.
How could you sell it? Andrew stumbled. You never mentioned you were thinking of moving.
It just happened, Eleanor rushed on. Our neighbour Tamara said her nephew is looking for a place. He offered a good price, so I agreed. The moneys already transferred; well sign the papers tomorrow.
And where will you live then? Andrew asked, rubbing his nose.
You have a spare room, dont you? Eleanor replied as if it were obvious. Ill be there tomorrow night with my things.
Megan felt a chill run through her. She looked at Andrew, who was silent and bewildered.
Mum, can we discuss this calmly? he finally managed. Come over, and well talk.
Theres nothing to discuss, Eleanors tone hardened. Im your mother; I have nowhere else to go. Ill be off nowlots to do. See you tomorrow.
A few beeps later Andrew set the phone down.
Shes joking, isnt she? Megan whispered.
I dont know, Andrew ran a hand through his hair. Mum can be impulsive. Maybe shell explain everything tomorrow.
But Megan knew her motherinlaw well enough. Eleanor never joked about her sons future. If she said she was moving in, it would be so.
That night Megan lay awake, picturing the coming days: Eleanor in the kitchen, in the living room, constantly offering unsolicited advice. She turned over helplessly while Andrew slept soundly beside her.
Morning found Megan exhausted. Andrew had left a note on the kitchen table: Megan, dont worry. Well talk with Mum this evening. Love you.
Megan crumpled the paper. It was easy for him to say dont worry when his own mother was about to upend their life.
At work she couldnt focus. Her colleague, Laura, noticed her downcast look.
Megan, whats got you so glum?
Megan sighed and recounted the phone call.
Oh dear, Laura shook her head. My sisters husband had the same thing happenhis mother moved in and they split after three months.
Dont scare me, Megan muttered, heart tightening.
Laura placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Im not trying to frighten you. Maybe yours will be different. Maybe shes reasonable.
Megan managed a bitter smile. Reasonable, right. She thinks shes the queen of the kitchen, the master of laundry, the ultimate housewife. Every visit feels like an inspectioncomments, critiques, endless advice.
That evening she arrived home early, hoping for a quiet moment before Eleanors arrival. She walked through each room, as if bidding farewell to the life she knew: the bright bedroom, the cosy living room where they watched films, the kitchen where she loved to cook.
The lock clicked. Andrew entered, followed by
My son lives here, so Ill be staying as well, Eleanor announced, stepping into the flat.
Behind her trailed a porter with a massive suitcase, and two more bags and a few boxes lingered in the hallway.
Hello, Megan, Eleanor planted a kiss on her cheek. Good to be here. Andrew, show me where I can settle in.
Andrew gave Megan a guilty glance.
Mum, can we at least have a word first? Have a cup of tea, maybe?
Talk later, Eleanor waved off. Im knackered from the journey. Show me the room, will you?
We only have two rooms, Mum, Andrew began. The bedroom and the living room.
So the living room will be mine, Eleanor declared as if it were common sense. Is the sofa a pullout?
The porter was directed to the living room, and Eleanor began arranging her things there.
Megan stood, stunned. Their living room? The place they entertained friends and relaxed after work?
Mum, can we at least discuss this calmly? You didnt give us any warning.
Eleanor turned, her eyes cold with authority.
This flat belongs to my son. Im his mother. I dont need anyones permission.
But Im his wife! Megan snapped.
Exactly, Eleanor emphasized. I am the mother, the blood.
Andrew was caught in the middle, pale and helpless. He said nothing, hoping Megan would seize the moment.
Fine, Eleanor paid the porter and closed the door behind him. Whens dinner?
I havent cooked yet, Megan muttered through clenched teeth.
No matter, Eleanor replied, marching into the kitchen. Ill make it myself. You two must be surviving on processed food.
Left alone in the hallway, Megan tried to hold back tears.
Why didnt you tell me she couldnt just move in? she asked Andrew.
Shes my mother, he shrugged helplessly. She really has nowhere else. She sold her flat.
And she didnt ask us first? Megans voice trembled. Do we even own the furniture here?
Of course not, Andrew tried to embrace her, but she pulled away. I understand its sudden, but she wont be permanent. Shell find somewhere else eventually.
She just sold her flat! Megan shouted. Where will she get money for a new one?
Andrew faltered. She invested it somewhere, I think.
Invested where? Megan demanded, her mind racing.
Andrew avoided her gaze. She said it was a good opportunity, a friends business.
Megan closed her eyes, realizing Eleanor had not only sold her flat but also vanished the proceeds into an unknown venture.
From the kitchen came the clatter of dishes and Eleanors disapproving mutter.
No proper pots! How can you cook with that?
Megan fled to the bedroom, slammed the door, and collapsed onto the bed. For the first time in eight years she wanted to pack her things and leave. But where? And why should she have to abandon her own home?
An hour later Eleanor called everyone to dinner. Steaming bowls of stew sat on the table.
Sit down while its hot, she instructed. Andrew, slice the bread.
Andrew obeyed. Megan ate in silence; the stew smelled wonderful but felt like a strangers offering.
Whats wrong? Not hungry? Eleanor asked.
Just not hungry, Megan replied.
Its odd for a working woman not to eat properly. Perhaps you should watch your figure, Eleanor added, eyes glinting.
Megan clenched her fists beneath the table. The battle had begun.
Andrew, attempting to smooth things over, said, Megan looks lovely as ever.
Eleanor huffed, I only care because I want my sons wife to be attractive.
She already is, Andrew muttered, cheeks flushing.
After dinner Eleanor announced, Tomorrow Ill give the place a thorough cleaning. Its been ages since you two have tidied properly.
Megan gritted her teeth. She cleaned every Saturday; every surface gleamed.
Its clean enough for me, she said.
Only you think so, dear, Eleanor replied condescendingly. Ive always had a spotless home. Remember, Andrew?
I remember, Mum, he sighed.
Later, in the bedroom, Megan finally let the tears flow. Andrew tried to hug her.
Megan, please dont cry. This is only temporary.
How long? A month? A year? Forever? she sobbed.
I dont know, he admitted. But well figure something out.
You didnt even defend me when she critiqued my weight, Megan accused.
I told you youre beautiful, he stammered.
And only after she said it! Megan retorted, pulling away. This is my flat too. I wont stand for you letting your mother dictate my life!
Shes not dictating, shes just used to being in charge, Andrew tried to explain.
Then let her be in charge of her own flat! Megan shot back, knowing deep down Eleanor had nowhere else to go. Are you choosing her or me?
Dont be foolish, Andrew frowned. I love you, but shes my mother. I cant throw her out.
So I have to put up with her antics? Megan asked, fury rising.
Just caring, thats all, he replied.
Megan turned away, sleeping only at dawn.
The next morning a vacuum roared; the clock read half past six on a Saturday.
Good morning! Eleanor shouted over the noise. Up early, making the most of the day!
Mum, its barely six. Its a day off, Megan said, trying to stay calm.
Early birds catch the worm! Eleanor chuckled. Back in my day
Megan ignored the nostalgic ramble, retreated to the bedroom, and found Andrew already awake.
Your mother is vacuuming at seven on a Saturday, Megan snapped.
Andrew winced. Ill speak to her.
But before he could, Eleanor finished cleaning and called everyone to breakfast.
Now its proper, my dear, she said, spreading a stack of golden pancakes on the table. Megan, a cup of tea for you?
Megan nodded silently. The pancakes smelled divine.
Andrew, try one, he said, reaching for a piece.
Delicious, as always, Eleanor beamed. I used my special recipe, just like the ones I made for you as a child.
Andrew smiled.
Megan sipped her tea, remembering the pancakes she could make herself. Andrew was busy eating his mothers, seemingly oblivious to her.
By the way, Eleanor said, I need to sort the bathroom. Towels are a mess, cosmetics everywhere. Ill fix it.
Its fine as it is, Megan replied coldly.
Oh, dear, youre still learning, Eleanor condescended. Ill teach you.
Megan rose, Excuse me, Ill be elsewhere.
Andrew called after her, Megan, you havent even tried the pancakes!
She slipped into the bedroom, slammed the door, and collapsed onto the bed, wishing everything could return to how it was before her motherinlaw appeared, as if she had never existed.
A knock sounded. Andrew entered.
Megan, whats happening? Why are you acting like this?
How am I acting? Shes behaving as if this were her flat!
She means well, Andrew tried to placate her. She just wants to help.
Help? Shes trying to take my place, to be the best housewife, the perfect wife for you.
What are you talking about? Andrew looked bewildered.
Im saying she wont let me be, Megan said, exhausted. She sees me as an intruder.
Dont be ridiculous, Andrew said, moving closer. Shes not doing it out of malice.
Out of malice? Shes moving into my home and telling me how to live!
Andrews shoulders slumped. He realised she saw his mothers presence as normal, not a problem.
I need some time alone, Megan whispered.
Andrew shrugged and left. She lay on the bed, eyes closed, feeling the weight of the house pressing down.
The following days turned into a nightmare. Eleanor took over the kitchen, prepared every meal, and never let Megan cook.
Take a break, dear, shed say. Youre tired from work, let me handle things.
Each comment felt like a rebuke.
One evening Megan tried to prepare dinner, but Eleanor swooped in, critiquing the way she cut the meat, the pot she chose, the spices she used.
Finally Megan abandoned the stove, muttering, Fine, do it yourself.
Andrew tried to stay neutral, but more often sided with his mother.
Megan, just give in. Shes older, more experienced.
Experienced at what? Ruining my life? Megan snapped.
Dont say that! Shes my mother! Andrew protested.
Their arguments grew daily. Megan lost weight, became listless, and colleagues at work asked if she was ill.
Its a family illness, she joked darkly.
A month later Eleanor had settled in completelyher curtains draped over the sofa, her knickknacks scattered, even the kitchen utensils rearranged to her liking.
One evening Megan returned home to find the bedroom furniture shifted.
Mum said its better for fengshui, Andrew said apologetically.
For fengshui? Megans anger flared. This is our bedroom, the last place I can hide from your mother!
She just wants whats best
Enough! Megan shouted. Stop justifying her! Shes taken over the whole flat! I have no space for myself!
Andrew tried to take her hand, but she pulled away.
No, I wont calm down! tears streamed down her cheeks. Either she leaves, or I do.
I cant choose between you and my mother, Andrew said, his face paling.
Im not asking you to choose, Megan sobbed. Im telling you the truth. I cant live with her here.
Andrew released her, sighing heavily. Alright. Ill speak to her.
Megan went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. Eleanor sat at the table, tea in hand, watching everything unfold.
So this is it, she said coldly. You want to turn my son against his own mother?
I just want my own flat, Megan replied, exhausted.
Your flat? Eleanor sneered. This is my sons flat. I gave birth to him, raised him, taught him. Who are you?
My wife of eight years, Megan said, feeling a surge of strength. Where have you been all these years? Why now, when you need a roof, do you appear?
Eleanors face paled.
How dare you! she cried. Ive always thought of my son!
Really? Megan asked. When he had pneumonia, were you there? When he lost his job, did you help?
Eleanor stammered, I didnt know.
Because you never asked, Megan said. You called once a month, asked how he was, then talked about yourself. Now you move in and tell us how to live!
A heavy silence fell. Eleanor stared at her teacup, hands shaking.
I I didnt know about the pneumonia or the job loss, she began quietly. I was lost after my husband died. I thought I was no longer needed. A friend suggested I invest in a business; I trusted her and was duped. The money vanished, the flat was sold, and I was left with nothing.
What business? Megan asked.
None, Eleanor admitted bitterly. I was scammed. I thought I could hide the embarrassment from Andrew.
Megan listened, the anger softening into pity.
Why didnt you tell us? she asked. We could have helped.
It was shameful, Eleanor said. Ive always been independent, strong. Now Im a helpless old woman, fooled by strangers.
Megan sighed. She no longer wanted to be angry, only sad for a woman who had become bitter and isolated.
It would have been better to speak with us as adults, Megan said gently. Not to barge in and turn our lives upside down.
Eleanor nodded, tears welling. Im sorry, Megan. I behaved terribly. I was scared. I thought if I were useful, you wouldnt drive me away.
Megan reached across the table and placed her hand over Eleanors.
Youre still Andrews mother, she said, but you should have asked first.
Eleanor sniffed, Im used to controlling, to being the one who knows best. After my husband died I was alone, with no one to talk to. When I came here I thought I had to be indispensable.
Megan smiled faintly. I dont need you to teach me. Im an adult with my own ways.
Eleanor wiped her eyes. I was a bull in a china shop, I see that now.
At that moment Andrew entered, surprised to find his mother and wife sitting together.
Whats happening? he asked cautiously.
Were having a hearttoheart, Megan replied.
Andrew sat down beside his mother.
Mom, why didnt you tell me about the scam? he asked.
I was afraid youd think I wasShe finally confessed everything, and they all agreed to rebuild their lives together.
