Never shall you have a mother again! bellowed Ethel, her voice cracking like a weathered church bell. Forget you ever had a mother. After youre married youll leave me alone, pretend I never existed, and Ill not cough up a single penny for the wedding. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont foot the bill for any of this farce.
Sam, her little boy of five, clasped her skirts and declared, Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything I can to keep your smile. He had no inkling how those simple words turned his mothers heart insideout. She swore she had birthed an angel golden curls, blue eyes, a face that seemed carved from aristocratic marble. As Sam grew, Ethels standards for a future daughterinlaw sharpened: a flawless pedigree, tidy appearance, a svelte figure, a university degree, impeccable manners, and a respectable post in a reputable firm.
The flat is already in my sons name, she would say. All we need now is a lady who will keep it immaculate, wholl welcome guests at three in the morning if need be thats the duty of a proper wife and housekeeper. Time passed, yet Ethels demands grew harsher. A woman past the age of twentyfive is out of the question; shell only bring frail offspring. And the child must, without doubt, be Sams.
Ethel, have a little fear of the Almighty, warned her sisters. No woman these days meets such a checklist. If you want Sam to marry and have children, loosen your grip, or hell stay a bachelor forever. Sam graduated with honours from both school and university, landed a wellpaid position in a London financial firm, yet love eluded him. Every time he tried to introduce a girl to his mother, Ethel would conjure a thousand reasons to drive her away.
At each meeting shed command, Sam, fetch a bowl of fruit while we chat. The first candidate was Annie, a girl from a modest Yorkshire town. Her mother worked as an accountant, her father as a colliery firewatchman, and she had two younger brothers. Annie earned a living as a pharmacy assistant, which made Ethel uneasy. Shes got constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? And her family are labourers we cant have that.
Darling, you do realise you cant marry Sam, Ethel whispered to Annie in private. Youre too different. He grew up in a world you could never imagine. Forget him and find someone more ordinary. Annie rose without a word, left without a farewell, and when Sam pressed for an explanation she replied coldly, Ask your mother, who raised you in those special conditions. Shell tell you youre too good for me, and I should look for someone simpler.
Mother, why did you turn Annie away? I like her, truly like her. What did you tell her? Sam pleaded.
Ethels voice softened, Youve forgotten something, my boy. Im your mother, and I know best who can make you happy. Not that Annie, never. Where did you ever find such a ? No decent family could be found. Sam realised arguing with his mother was futile and walked away. He occasionally mentioned a new flirt, but never invited her home. When Ethel offered to help him find a wife, he politely declined, Thats for me and my future wife to decide.
Ethel muttered, I know exactly who youll choose a maid whose mind holds nothing but mop and bucket. Sam smiled wryly, At least the floors will shine. Dont speak to me like that! she snapped, as he retreated to his room. In the end he moved out, taking the London flat that Ethel had let out to tenants.
His father, who had long ago divorced his mother, had been a stranger since Sam was six. Recently he agreed to meet. You know why I left Ethel? he confessed. She clung to me, controlled my every step, demanded I tell her where I was, what Id do. When I tried to spend time with you, shed berate me for lacking a degree, for being useless. I was a beast of burden for her, then I gave her the slip and left. She refused alimony, stripped me of parental rights.
Are you happy now? Sam asked, brows furrowed.
Did you think Id give you a flat for free? the father answered, eyes widening. I saved ten years, £10,000, to give you a place of your own. I told Ethel shed get the keys. Did she tell you?
What? Sam choked.
My son, I never wanted you to suffer. Ethel threatened to whisk you away to another town, so I kept my distance. The words shifted Sams view of his mother. He often said he wanted a partner who reminded him of her, though he knew such a woman would be rare. Ethel smirked, Youll never find one like me Im one in a million, perhaps a billion.
After Annie, Sam met several more women, none of whom pleased Ethel. Finally he gave his mother an ultimatum: Either stop meddling in my life, or Ill cease speaking to you.
Ungrateful wretch, Ethel snapped. Who do you think you are? I gave you a home, an education. How dare you?
Enough, Mum, Sam pleaded. I know who actually bought that flat. I spoke to Father; he told me everything.
Do you believe him? she exploded. Not my mother, but that failure of a man?
Its my father, Sam replied. Hes the one who saved the money.
Ethels face turned a mottled shade. She stared at him with contempt and withdrew to her bedroom. The next morning she skipped breakfast. Sam knocked, only to hear a shrill shout: Leave me be and crawl back to your worthless father!
Why, Mum? Sam opened the door. Inside she lay on the bed, hair in disarray, her oncepristine dress creased, eyes staring at the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to the immaculate, perfumeclad lady she usually presented.
Listen, son, she said slowly, marry whomever you wish; I could care less. Whether its a man from Papua or a hybrid of penguin and Indian rhino, forget I ever existed. I wont give you a wedding dowry, and if I didnt pick your bride, I wont fund any of it.
I understand, Mum, Sam replied with a wry bow, closing the door behind him. That very day he moved into his own flat.
Six months later he invited his mother to a restaurant, determined to announce his engagement.
Who is she? Ethel asked, indifferent.
Whatever she is, youll never like her, Sam answered coolly. Just so you know, her name is Liza, shes twentysix, from a longline of doctors. A very respectable girl.
Good heavens, and youre so sure of her worth? Ethel rolled her eyes. Show me a photograph.
Sam produced his phone; the image displayed a young woman of East Asian features.
Is that my future granddaughter? Ethel scoffed, pursing her lips. She looks more like a Gulchatai than a Liza. Why call her that?
Liza is halfKorean, Sam explained patiently.
Even better, Ethel sneered. Like a bulldog crossed with a rhino.
Shell grow on you once you know her after the wedding, Sam smiled.
Ethels breath caught at his words. After the wedding? Youre actually marrying? To spite me?
Why would I do it for spite? Sam chuckled, flagging the waitress. Its for my own happiness.
Ethel sat stunned, trying to picture grandchildren from such a lineage. The thought was grotesque.
On the wedding day Sam whispered to his mother, No drama, please. If Liza leaves because of you, Ill never forgive you. Ethel was forced to sit as quiet as a mouse, watching the radiant bride bask in compliments, dance, and laughter. The next morning the newlyweds arrived with a basket of treats for Ethel, but she barred them from the doorstep.
So, my son, she said, Ive done exactly as you asked. Now listen to me. Keep that mixedblood woman away from me. Do you understand? A man may have a thousand wives, but a mother theres only one.
The couple drove off, and Ethel, in a fit of rage, tossed the basket into the rubbish bin. Ill take nothing from this halfbreed, she hissed.
Soon after, Ethel fell ill often, and Liza took charge of her care. Sometimes Sam hired a nighttime carer so his mother wouldnt be left alone. Ethel could not swallow the fact that the woman she despised now tended to her. You said youd find someone who looked like me, she muttered. Where is the resemblance? Forced to rely on Lizas ministrations, she kept her tongue firmly in check, a source of endless irritation.
When the telephone rang, Ethel answered in a sweet tone, Hello, dear Liza. How are you? My blood pressures fluttering again. Could you pop round and have a look? Splendid, well talk then.
And so the tale lingered, a reminder of how a mothers iron will and a sons stubborn love wove a tangled tapestry of pride, resentment, and reluctant reconciliation in the old streets of London, long after the echoes of their quarrels had faded.
