Mum, you wont believe whats been happening at our place. My husband, Tom, the longhaul lorry driver, came back from a run with a complete stranger in tow. Shell be living with us now, he announced, and I just broke down crying.
I was staring at this woman, Claire, with my mouth open. She strutted right into the bathroom, slipped on a bathrobe that was clearly the one I keep for guests, and plonked my favourite towel on her head. Halfway through, she shouted from the kitchen, Dont just stand there! Im starving, and your mans going to be home any minute.
I wanted to scream and kick her out, but I kept my mouth shut. The flat is technically Toms its the property he bought before we married so I couldnt just throw anyone out.
Honestly, nothing ever hinted that trouble was coming. I was living the good life: I didnt work, the money was coming in, and Tom earned well enough to keep us comfortable. Ive always had a bit of a temper and a knack for being particular. The neighbours would joke that Tom took the lorry job just to spend less time with me, but everyone thought he loved me madly even I did, until now my confidence took a tumble.
The day Tom got back, I kept wondering what hed brought this time. Turns out, reality smashed all my expectations. He introduced Claire, saying shed be staying with us. Hed met her somewhere on the motorway. Im 34, still young and pretty. Claire looks like shes in her fifties, a bit scruffy and blunt. Could a woman like that really have drawn my handsome husbands eye? I know some guys prefer older ladies, but not like this!
Claire busts into the kitchen yelling, Hey, are you going to stand there forever? Im starving! I went to boil some dumplings. She just stood there, watching. I set a plate down for her and tried to get some cabbage rolls for Tom. She snapped, What, youre feeding the man with halfcooked bits? And you expect me to eat that too? I glared at her, Well, yeah and she dramatically flung the dumplings out the window.
You mad? I shouted. The cat will eat them! You, love, go make some soup or fry some chips, got it? Then she sauntered off to the telly.
When Tom got home, I dragged him into the kitchen and wailed, Get her out! Why did you bring her back? Who is she? She threw the food away! Claire popped up, eyes rolling. Tom, why are you putting up with her? Youre a decent bloke with a nice house and a decent income, and she cant even make a proper meal. Shes a spoiled brat and a whiner! She glared at me.
I snapped back, I live here, and Im the lady of the house! She replied coolly, Fine, then, and walked away with Tom to the shops.
Claire cooked that night, and I was too nervous to eat anything. The next day I finally ate the borscht and the navystyle pasta shed made. Ive never been much of a cook, but I decided to give it a go. I started watching recipe videos online. At first I was a disaster, but eventually I got the hang of it. I stopped nagging Tom over every little thing.
I was scared Claire would stick around and Id be left on my own. I didnt tell my mum I usually call her for everything but I vented to my best friend, Katie. Kick her out! Shes an impostor! I cant imagine if my Tom brought someone like this home, I told her. Katie went off on me, Youve got a joint flat, your Tom isnt bringing in any money, youre doing the heavy lifting. Meanwhile Im stuck with nothing! Its all Toms fault! She burst into tears, then jabbed, Thanks for the support, but youve just left me hanging. Go back to Tom and his Claire!
Nothing really changed on the surface. Tom still looked at me with adoration. I kept trying to get him to explain why hed brought Claire in and how long shed stay, but he dodged the topic. Claire got a job in a local shop, and I suddenly realised I could survive this impostor situation by having a baby.
Id never wanted children before. Id told Tom I didnt plan on becoming a mother I didnt want my figure ruined and I never felt a love for kids. But now I thought, why not? It might be the perfect way to lock things down.
Friends started noticing the change in me. I was cooking, I wasnt throwing fits, Id turned into the pictureperfect wife. Then I announced to Tom that I was expecting. He was over the moon. Claire sighed, Finally! Just raise the kid well, so they dont get kicked out like I did. I asked, What do you mean kicked out? She went on, I raised my husbands boys like my own. When my son Colin died, they shut me out, told me not to come back. I poured my heart into them. Tears welled up in her eyes.
For the first time I felt a pang of sympathy. What happened after? I asked. Nothing much, she said. I started drinking, didnt want to live. One night my husband was driving past, I stepped onto the road. He braked just in time, we talked for ages, he turned his life around and invited me to stay. I finally believed there were decent people out there. Youre lucky, Molly, to have Tom. She smiled, and that night the three of us finally sat down to dinner together. I even thought twice about throwing Claire out.
The next day Toms uncle, Nigel, came over from the countryside. Everyone kept glancing at Claire. After a week of staying, Nigel was about to leave, and Claire waved goodbye, At our age youve got to jump at opportunities! Thanks for taking me in! I found myself missing her already.
Life shifted. I gave birth to a little girl, and I asked Claire to be her godmother. Theyre now inseparable. Every summer I head out to the country with the baby fresh air does wonders and Tom keeps marveling at how his wife has transformed. He says Claire deserves a lot of the credit.
So thats the weird little knot of fate that brought us all together. Were each others rocks now, and I cant imagine going back to how things were.
