Dont you have a mother any more! Margaret snapped, her voice cracking like a cracked teacup. Forget you ever had a mum. After youre married, youll leave me alone and act as if I never existed. I wont even be part of your wedding expenses. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont foot the bill for this charade.
Samuel felt a rush of joy whenever his little son, Sam, clutched his legs and declared, Mummy, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything to keep that smile on your face. The boys words turned his mothers heart inside out; she swelled with pride at the thought of having raised such a cherubic lad. His golden curls, blue eyes and aristocratic features made Margaret see him as a little angel. As he grew, she used his flawless image as a measuring rod for any prospective daughterinlaw: pure lineage, polished looks, a slender figure, a university degree, impeccable manners, a respectable jobpreferably a senior post in a reputable firmand a network of influential acquaintances.
The flat is already mine, she would say, but I need a proper lady to keep it shipshape, one wholl welcome guests at any houreven at three in the morningbecause thats a wifes duty.
Time passed and Margarets demands only hardened. No old hag over twentyfive, or youll end up with a frail child. And the child must be yours, certainly.
Margaret, have a little fear of the Almighty, her relatives would warn. In these days there are no girls who meet your standards. If you want Samuel to marry and start a family, let him be, or hell remain a bachelor forever.
Samuel excelled at school and university, landed a wellpaid position in a London firm, yet his love life was a dead end. Whenever he introduced a potential partner to his mother, Margaret would summon a thousand reasons to send her away. At each meeting shed command, Sam, go to the kitchen and slice some fruit while we chat.
The first young lady Samuel brought home was Anne. She came from a modest household: a mother who worked as an accountant, a father who stoked the coal fires, and two younger brothers. Anne was a pharmacy assistant, which made Margaret frown. So she has constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? No, shes out of the question. Her family are labourers; we need something finer.
Sweetheart, you do realise you cant marry Sam, dont you? Margaret whispered sharply when she and Anne were left alone. Youre too different. Hes been brought up in genteel circles; thats beyond your reach. Forget him and find someone more suitable.
Anne needed no further explanation. She rose silently and left without a word to Samuel. When he asked why, she replied curtly, Ask your mothershes the one who thinks Im too plain for her son.
Mother, why did you wound Anne? I like her, really like her. What did you say? Samuel pleaded.
Son, youve forgotten something, Margaret said slowly. Im your mother; I know best who can make you happy. Not some Anne, thats for sure. Where did you find that scullery maid? Theres no one of decent birth left, it seems.
Realising he could not convince her, Samuel withdrew. He mentioned new acquaintances now and then, but never brought them before Margaret. Occasionally she offered to help him settle down, which he declined politely, Ill choose my own wife, not you.
What Ill pick, I know, Margaret muttered, youll bring home a charwoman with nothing but a mop and rag in her head.
At least the floors will shine, Samuel replied with a wry smile.
Dont speak to me like that! Margaret snapped, her cheeks flushing.
Samuel retreated to his own room. Eventually he moved out of his mothers house into the flat she owned, which she had been renting out for years.
His father, John, had long since divorced Margaret. They had not spoken since Samuel was six. One day John agreed to meet his son. You know why I left Margaret? he said. She wouldnt let me breathe. She watched my every move, questioned where I was going, what I was doing. When I wanted to spend time with you, she shouted that I was unfit because I had no university degree. Why should she birth a child for me? I was just a workhorse to her. I got fed up, walked out, and she refused alimony, stripped me of parental rights.
Isnt that a relief? Samuel asked, frowning.
What are you on about? John snapped. I saved ten years wages to buy you a place, handed over the keys. Did she not tell you?
What? Samuel stared.
John repeated, I scraped together the money for a home of your own. If you stayed with her, youd have no life of your own. She doesnt see anyone as a person.
Why didnt you talk to me? Samuel asked hesitantly.
I wanted to spare you trouble. Margaret threatened to ship you off to another town and Id never see you again. So I watched from afar.
Those words reshaped Samuels view of his mother. He began to think she was the best thing in his life, often saying he hoped to find a woman who reminded him of her. Margaret would smile condescendingly, Youll never find one of my calibre. Im one in a million, perhaps a billion.
After Anne, Samuel met several other women, none of whom satisfied Margaret. At last he gave her an ultimatum: Either stop meddling in my affairs, or Ill stop seeing you.
Ungrateful wretch, Margaret hissed. Do you forget I bought you a home, paid for your schooling? How dare you speak like that?
Mother, enough, Samuel pleaded. I know who really bought that flat. I talked to Father; he told me everything.
And you trust him? she exploded. Not my son, but some failure?
If you must know, that failure is my father. Or not?
Margarets face went ashen. She stared at him with disdain and shut herself away. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. Samuel knocked, only to hear a furious shout: Leave me alone and go to that worthless father of yours!
Mum, why? Samuel opened the door and entered. She lay on the bed, hair in disarray, a crumpled dress, staring blankly at the ceilinga stark contrast to her usual immaculate appearance, scented with expensive perfume.
Samuel, she said slowly, Ive reached a conclusion. Marry whomever you like; I could care less. Even a bloke from Papua New Guinea with a penguinrhino mix would do. Just forget you have a mother. After the wedding, youll leave me alone, and I wont give you a penny for the ceremony. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont fund the whole nonsense.
I understand, Mother, Samuel replied with a mock 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 to announce his impending nuptials. And who is she? Margaret asked, indifferent.
Whatever she is, youll never like her, Samuel answered coolly. Just so you know, my future wife is called Elizabeth. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. A very respectable lady.
Good heavens, and youre so sure of her worthiness? Margaret rolled her eyes. Show me a photograph at least.
Samuel produced his phone, displaying a picture of a woman with an exotic look. Margaret pursed her lips, shook her head disapprovingly. Is this the future mother of my grandchildren? What a nightmare.
The girl in the photo had an Eastern European face. Shes called Lily, halfKorean, Samuel explained patiently.
Much better, Margaret snorted. She looks like a bulldog crossed with a rhinoceros.
Shell grow on you once you get to know her after the wedding, Samuel smiled.
Margarets breath caught at his words. After the wedding? Youre really going through with this? To spite me?
Why would I do it for spite? Its for my own happiness, Samuel replied, flagging the waitress for the bill.
Margaret sat in stunned silence, trying to picture the grandchildren that would result from such a match. The prospect seemed the worst possible.
On the wedding day Samuel pulled his mother aside, firm. No dramas, Mother. If Elizabeth walks away because of you, Ill never forgive you, understand?
Margaret was forced to keep quiet, watching the radiant bride and her joyous son mingle, dancing, laughing with guests. The next morning the newlyweds arrived with a tray of sweets for Margaret, but she barred them from the doorstep.
So, son, she said, Ive done exactly what you asked, fulfilled all your wishes. Now listen to me. Do not bring that halfblood back into my sight. Do you realize what youre doing? A mother may have a thousand lovers, but a mother is only one.
The couple left, and Margaret tossed the treat into the rubbish, muttering, Ill take nothing from that mixedblood.
Soon after, Margaret fell ill often, and Elizabeth tended to her. Occasionally Samuel hired a nightcare nurse so his mother wouldnt be left alone. Margaret could not bring herself to accept the daughterinlaw who had earned her scorn for daring to compare herself unfavourably to her mother.
Didnt you promise youd find someone like me? Margaret grumbled. Where does she resemble me? Realising she now depended on Elizabeths care, she was forced to keep her tongue in check, which irritated her to no end.
When the phone rang, she answered in a sweet tone, Hello, Lizzie. How are you? My blood pressure is a bit jumpy. Could you pop round and have a look? Splendid, see you then.
