Hell be moving in with us
A sharp buzz from the doorbell announced a visitor. Lucy slipped off her apron, wiped her hands and went to answer. On the doorstep stood her daughter with a young bloke. Lucy let them in.
Hey, Mum, her daughter planted a kiss on Lucys cheek. This is Victor hes staying with us.
Hi there, the lad said, giving a polite nod.
And this is my mum, Aunt Lucy, the girl added.
Lucy Margaret, corrected the daughter, using her full name.
Mum, whats for dinner? asked Victor, dropping his backpack by the sofa.
Pea purée and sausages, Lucy replied.
I dont eat pea purée, he muttered, heading toward the hallway.
Come on, Mum, Victor hates peas, Lilys eyes widened.
Victor flopped onto the couch, dropping his bag.
This is actually my room, Lucy said.
Victor, Ill show you where well be staying, Lily shouted, pulling him toward the bedroom.
Honestly, Im fine here, Victor grumbled, getting up.
Sweetie, think of something to feed Victor, Lucy said.
I dont even know weve only got half a packet of sausages left, Lucy shrugged.
Itll do, with some mustard, ketchup and a slice of bread, Victor replied.
Alright then, Lucy said, heading to the kitchen. Back in the day Id bring home litters of kittens and puppies; now its you lot, feed him too.
She ladled a heap of pea mash onto a plate, tossed two fried sausages on top, nudged a bowl of salad over, and dug in.
Mum, why are you eating alone? Lily asked as she entered the kitchen.
Because I just got back from work and Im starving, Lucy said, chewing a sausage. If anyone wants more, they can help themselves or make it themselves. Oh, and Ive got a question whys Victor moving in?
Because hes my husband.
Lucy nearly choked on her bite.
My husband?
Yeah, thats that. Youve got an adult daughter now, she can decide who she marries. Im already nineteen years older than him.
You didnt even invite us to a wedding.
There was no wedding, we just signed the paperwork. So now were a married couple, living together, Lily said, glancing at her mums plate.
Congrats, then. Why no ceremony?
If youve got cash for a wedding, feel free to hand it over well find something to spend it on.
Got it, Lucy kept munching. But why do they have to live here?
Because their flat is a onebedroom and theyd be four in it.
So renting wasnt an option?
Why would we rent when my rooms free? Lily wondered.
Right.
Anything to eat, then?
Lily, theres a pot of mash 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 now, Lily pointed out.
And what? Im supposed to break into a jig because of that? Im exhausted from work, lets skip the ceremonial dancing. Use your own hands and feet.
Thats why youre still single! Lily snapped, slamming the door as she retreated to her room.
Lucy finished her dinner, washed up, cleared the table and headed to the bedroom. She changed into gym clothes, grabbed her bag and off she went to the local fitness centre. She liked being independent, hitting the gym and the pool a few evenings a week.
Around ten that night she got back, hoping for a hot cup of tea. Instead the kitchen looked like a war zone someone had tried to cook and gave up. The pot lid was missing, the mash had dried out and cracked. An empty sausage packet lay on the counter, next to a stale loaf of bread. The frying pan was scorched, its nonstick coating scraped with a fork. The sink was stacked with dishes, and a sticky sweet puddle glistened on the floor. The whole flat reeked of cigarettes.
Wow, somethings definitely off. Lily never let this happen before.
Lucy opened the bedroom door. Victor and Lily were there, wine glasses in hand, smoke curling.
Lily, clean up the kitchen, will you? Well get a new pan tomorrow, Lucy said, heading back to her room without closing the door.
Lily bolted up and chased after her.
Why should we clean? And where am I supposed to get money for a new pan? I dont work, Im a student. You dont care about the dishes?
Listen, Lily: the house rules are simple eat, then clear up; make a mess, then clear up; if you break something, replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. And yeah, that pan isnt cheap, now its ruined.
You dont want us here, do you? Lily snapped.
Nope, Lucy replied calmly.
She didnt want a fight with Lily, especially since nothing like this had happened before.
But Ive got a claim, Lily muttered.
No, the flat is mine outright. I paid for it, bought it. Youre just on the lease. Dont expect me to sort out your problems. If you want to stay, follow the rules.
Ive lived by your rules all my life. Im married now, so you cant tell me what to do, Lily shrieked. And youre old, you should hand the flat over to us.
Ill give you the hallway outside the building, even a bench. So youre married? You didnt even ask me. Youre staying here alone, or with your husband elsewhere. Hes not moving in here, Lucy shot back.
Fine, youre stuck with your flat. Victor, were leaving, Lily shouted, gathering her stuff.
Within minutes Victor stumbled back into the living room, halfdrunk and slurring.
Alright, mum, calm down and everythingll be fine, he said, swaying. We wont run off tonight. If you behave, we might even… you know, be affectionate at night.
What am I, your mum? Lucy snapped. Your mum and dad are still here, so mind your own business and dont forget your newlywed wife.
Victor raised his fist and jabbed it at Lucys nose.
Hold it, you idiot, Lucy growled, clutching his knuckles with manicured fingers, all her strength behind her.
Aaah, let go of me, you lunatic!
Mom, what are you doing? Lily screamed, trying to pull her mother away.
Lucy pushed Lily aside, landed a knee in Victors groin and then jabbed her elbow into his neck.
Im going to record this assault, Victor snarled, Ill sue you.
Wait, Ill call the police, thatll be easier to document, Lucy said.
The pair backed off, leaving the tidy twobed flat behind.
Youre not my mother any more, Lily shouted as she left, and youll never see my grandchildren.
What a pity, Lucy replied with a wry smile. Ill finally have some peace.
She looked at her hands a couple of nails were broken.
Only losses from you lot, she muttered.
After they were gone, Lucy cleaned the kitchen, tossed the ruined mash and that cursed pan, and changed the locks. Three months later, near her workplace, Lily showed up, gaunt, cheeks hollow, looking miserable.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
I havent decided yet, Lucy shrugged. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, Lily whispered, and a bit of Olivier.
Alright, lets go pick up a chicken, Lucy said. Youll have to make the Olivier yourself.
She didnt ask her daughter any more questions, and Victor never turned up again.
