Hell be moving in with us The doorbell rang, letting us know someone was at the door. Lucy slipped off her apron, wiped her hands and went to answer. On the step stood my daughter, Poppy, with a young man in his twenties. Lucy let them into the flat.
Hey, Mum, Poppy smacked Lucys cheek, this is Eddie, hes going to stay with us.
Nice to meet you, the lad said, trying to sound polite.
This is my mum, Aunt Lucy, Poppy added.
Martha Whitmore, Lucy corrected her daughter.
Right, Mum, whats for dinner?
Pea purée and sausages.
I dont eat pea purée, Eddie said, shrugging as he headed straight to the bedroom.
Mom, Eddie doesnt eat peas, Poppy exclaimed, eyes wide.
Eddie dropped his backpack on the sofa and plonked down.
This is actually my room, Martha said.
Eddie, come on, Ill show you where well be staying, Poppy shouted.
Im fine here, Eddie muttered, getting up.
Mum, think of something to feed Eddie, Poppy begged.
Ive only got half a packet of sausages left, Lucy sighed.
Thatll do, with some mustard, ketchup and a slice of bread, Eddie replied.
Sounds alright, Lucy said, heading to the kitchen. Shed spent the past few years rescuing stray cats and dogs, and now she was feeding a new guest. She scooped a heap of pea purée onto a plate, added two fried sausages, nudged a bowl of salad over, and dug in.
Mom, why are you eating alone? Poppy asked as she stepped into the kitchen.
Because I just got home from work and Im starving, Lucy said, chewing a sausage. If anyone wants more, they can help themselves or make something. Oh, and Ive got a question why is Eddie moving in?
How come? Poppy asked. Hes my husband.
Lucy choked on her bite.
My husband?
Yeah, thats how it is. Youre an adult now, you decide if you want to get married. Im nineteen, you know.
You didnt even invite me to a wedding.
There was no ceremony, we just signed the papers. Since were technically husband and wife, well be sharing the flat.
Congrats, then. Why no wedding?
If youve got the cash for a wedding, feel free to hand it over, well find something to spend it on.
Got it, Lucy said, still shovelling food into her mouth. Why our place, though?
Because the two of us have a onebedroom flat and were already living together.
So you didnt consider renting somewhere else?
Why rent when we already have a spare room? Poppy asked, surprised.
Right.
Anything else to eat?
Poppy, theres a pot of pea purée on the stove, sausages in the pan. If thats not enough, theres another halfpacket in the fridge. Help yourselves.
Mum, youve got a new soninlaw, Poppy said, rolling her eyes.
And what? I have to put on a little dance for that? Ive just come home from work, Im knackered. Use your own hands and feet, will ya?
Thats why youre still single! Poppy snapped, slamming the door as she stormed back to her room.
Lucy finished her dinner, washed up, cleared the table and changed into her gym clothes. She was a regular at the local fitness centre and swimming pool a few evenings a week.
Around ten that night she got back, looking forward to a cuppa, only to find the kitchen in total chaos. The lid from the pea pot was missing, the purée had dried out and cracked. An empty packet of sausages lay on the counter, next to a stale loaf of bread. The pan was scorched, its nonstick coating scraped with a fork. Dishes were piled in the sink, a sticky sweet puddle glistened on the floor, and the whole place smelled of cigarettes.
Whoa, this is new. Poppy never lets this happen.
Lucy opened the bedroom door. Eddie and a mate were drinking wine and smoking.
Poppy, clean up the kitchen. Buy a new pan tomorrow, Lucy told them, then slipped back to her room without closing the door.
Poppy jumped up, furious.
Why do we have to clean? Ive got no money for a new pan Im studying, not working. You care about the dishes?
Remember the house rules: eat, then clean; make a mess, then clean; break something, replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. The pan wasnt cheap, and now its ruined.
You dont want us living here, Poppy snapped.
Not really, Lucy replied calmly.
She didnt want another fight.
But this is my share too.
Nope, the flat is mine. I paid for it, bought it. Youre just on the lease. If you want to stay, follow the rules.
Ive lived by your rules my whole life. Im married now, you cant tell me what to do, Poppy shrieked. Youre old, you should give us the flat.
Ill give you the hallway outside and a bench on the stairwell. Got married? No one asked me. Youre staying here alone or with your husband, but he wont live here.
Fine, Eddie, were moving out, Poppy shouted, grabbing her stuff.
Within minutes Eddie stumbled into the hallway, swaying from the drink.
Alright, Mum, dont worry, everythingll be fine. We wont disappear tonight. If you behave, we might even be quiet enough for a night.
What am I to you, Mum? Martha snapped. Your mum and dad are still here, so keep it together and dont forget your new wife.
Eddie punched his nose in a stupid gesture.
Martha clutched his fist with manicured fingers, squeezing hard.
Let go, you lunatic!
Mum, what are you doing? Poppy screamed, trying to pull her mother away.
Martha shoved Poppy aside, kicked Eddie in the groin, then elbowed him in the neck.
Ill document this, Eddie growled, Ill take you to court.
Hold on, Ill call the police so they can record everything, Lucy said.
The youngsters fled the tidy twobedroom flat.
Youre not my mother anymore, Poppy yelled, and youll never see my grandchildren.
What a tragedy, Lucy said dryly, Ill finally live for myself. She looked at her hands, some nails broken.
Just losses thanks to you lot, Martha muttered.
After they left, Lucy cleaned the kitchen, tossed the ruined pea purée and the busted pan, and changed all the locks. Three months later, Poppy, looking gaunt and downcast, knocked on the flats door near Lucys work.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
Dont know yet, havent decided. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, Poppy whispered, and a bit of Olivier.
Then lets go pick up a chicken, Lucy said. Youll have to sort the Olivier yourself.
Poppy didnt ask anything else, and Eddie never turned up again.
