2March, London
I was jolted awake by a clatter and saw my motherinlaw rummaging through my bedside chest.
Enough, Mum! Davids voice boomed through the flat. Were adults, we can sort it ourselves!
Eleanor froze by the cooker, a wooden spoon clenched in her hand. David and his mother had been at each other’s throats for twenty minutes, and there seemed to be no end in sight.
Im your mother! Violet stood in the middle of the kitchen, arms crossed. And I have a right to know where youre spending your money!
Ma, Im thirtyfive, I have a wife and a child. What business is it of yours what I earn or where I put it?
Because I can see somethings off! Yesterday the fridge was empty. Eleanor, you mustve forgotten the shop again!
Eleanors skin prickled at the accusation. She turned to Violet.
The fridge isnt empty, Mother. I just havent had time to go to the market yet I was planning to this evening.
Evening? Violet snorted. You sit at home all day and cant even buy the basics?
Im not at home, Im on maternity leave. Lily is only eight months old!
In my day we stayed home too, but the house was spotless and we boiled borscht for the husband every night!
David ran a hand over his face.
Please, Mum, dont start again.
Im not starting, Im telling the truth! Look at her a mess, in a robe all morning!
Eleanor felt her cheeks flush. She really was in a worn nightgown, hair in a loose knot. But after feeding Lily, washing the laundry, hanging sheets and making breakfast, there was no time left for herself.
Violet, perhaps you should go home? You must have things to do.
My business is to watch my son! I didnt raise you the right way!
Enough, Mum! David grabbed Violet by the elbow. Please, dont make this harder.
Violet snapped her hand free, snatched her handbag from the table.
Fine, Im leaving. But know this, David I see whats happening in this house, and sooner or later youll have to deal with it yourself.
She slammed the door shut. David stood in the kitchen, breathing heavily.
Sorry, Ellie, he said, exhausted. She kept ringing me all morning, then turned up unannounced.
Its alright, Eleanor replied, returning to the cooker. Ive got used to it.
Getting used was an overstatement. Violet had been meddling since the day they said their vows. She criticised everything how Eleanor cooked, how she cleaned, what she wore, how she raised Lily. She would drop in without notice, inspect the fridge, peek into cupboards.
David tried to defend his wife, but his mothers presence was a knot he couldnt untie. Eleanor endured it. What else could she do?
They had been married four years. They met at work, in the accounts department of a steel plant in Sheffield. David was the department manager, Eleanor a junior accountant. He courted her with flowers and dinner out. She fell in love for the first time in her life.
Violet disliked Eleanor from the start. At their first meeting she examined her from head to toe and said, Well, David has chosen a modest girl; I expected someone else. What that else was, Eleanor never learned.
After the wedding the critiques began. Violet would arrive with a checklist, find dust in corners, a soup underseasoned, dishes left unwashed. She lectured on how a wife should love her husband, how a home should be run.
David initially objected, then grew accustomed. He would shrug, Its just Mum being Mum, cant help it.
But how could he ignore it when Violet called every day? What are you making for dinner? What are you feeding me? Why do I look tired? She implied he was a bad husband, that he wasnt being taken care of.
When Eleanor got pregnant, the scrutiny intensified. Violet monitored every bite, every vitamin, every doctors visit. After Lilys birth she practically moved in, arriving daily to show how to swaddle, bottlefeed, rock.
Eleanor endured it for Davids sake, for the family. Yet she was running on empty.
One night, after Lily finally slept, Eleanor curled up on the sofa beside David.
David, its getting too much, she confessed. Your mother has no sense of boundaries.
I know, he said, wrapping his arms around her. But she lives alone, shes lonely.
You can be lonely without invading other peoples lives.
Were not strangers. Im her son.
And I am who?
David sighed.
Eleanor, lets not fight. Im exhausted.
She fell silent. He was tired, but so was she a whole day of baby, cooking, cleaning, laundry, then Violets accusations. He, of course, had work and stress.
Eleanor got up, went to the kitchen, finished her cold dinner, washed the dishes, checked Lily who slept soundly, a tiny snore. She returned to the bedroom.
David was already asleep. She lay beside him, pulled the blanket up, closed her eyes, but sleep would not come. Thoughts of Violets sharp words tangled in her mind, and the certainty that the next day the motherinlaw would be back.
At half past five in the morning she woke to a rustle. It was still dark outside. She glanced at the clock 5:30am.
A faint shuffling came from the bedroom. It sounded like someone rifling through papers or moving items. Not Lily she was still too young, sleeping in her cot. Not David he lay still.
She propped herself up on her elbow. The sound emanated from the old wooden chest in the corner of the bedroom, where she kept underwear, documents, bits and bobs.
In the dim light she saw a figure bent over the open drawer, rummaging.
Her heart hammered. It was Violet.
Violet was digging through her chest at six in the morning, in their bedroom.
Eleanor sat up, eyes locked on her motherinlaw.
What are you doing? she forced out.
Violet snapped the drawer shut, a flash of surprise in her eyes before she composed herself.
Oh, youre up, she said as if nothing were amiss. Didnt mean to wake you.
What are you doing in my chest?
I was looking for a tissue. My nose is stuffed, thought Id have a sniff.
The tissues are in the kitchen, not here.
I didnt know. She slammed the drawer shut again. I just thought Id have a look.
Eleanor stepped closer, staring hard. How did you even get into our flat?
I have a set of keys. David gave them to me when Lily was born, just in case.
And you decided a sixamature visit was appropriate?
Im an early riser. Wanted to help with the baby so you could get some rest.
Help by rummaging through my personal things?
Violet straightened, a defensive posture taking over.
I wasnt digging! I was looking for a tissue!
You were in my underwear drawer!
What do you think youre allowed to say to me?
David stirred, eyes fluttering open.
Whats happening? he mumbled.
Ask your mother! Eleanor snapped. Shes in my chest, poking around my things!
David sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Mum, why are you here?
I came to help, Violet replied, playing the innocent victim. And now Im being accused of theft!
I never called you a thief! I asked what you were doing in my chest!
Just looking for tissues!
What tissues?! Eleanors voice rose. Do you think Im a fool? You deliberately came in here to snoop!
Lily began to wail from the next room, startled by the shouting. Eleanor scooped her up, soothing her. Shh, love, its alright.
In the bedroom the argument continued. David tried to mediate, but Violet persisted with excuses.
David, I really just came to help
Why the chest?
I didnt mean to I thought there might be a spare pack on the top shelf.
The top shelf holds my underwear, not tissues!
Honestly, I couldnt see in the dark!
Lying! Eleanor shouted. Youre spying on me!
David stood, his face hardening. Enough. Im going to my mothers house now and sort this out.
Where are you going? Eleanor asked, clutching Lily tighter.
To my mums.
What will you ask her? David muttered.
Why she was in my chest at dawn!
He left, slamming the bedroom door. Eleanor sat on the sofa, head in her hands, wondering how her life had come to this.
David returned late, around eleven. Eleanor was already in bed, eyes wide open.
So? she asked.
He said you misunderstood. He really was looking for tissues, couldnt find them, opened the chest.
Shes lying.
Why would she lie?
Because she doesnt want to admit she was spying on me!
Why spy?
I dont know. Maybe she thinks Im hiding something from him.
David sat on the edge of the bed.
Are you hiding anything? he asked quietly.
She stared at him, the question hanging heavy.
No, Im not.
He sighed. Ill talk to her again.
The next day David left for work without saying goodbye. Eleanor spent the day in a fog, feeding Lily, doing chores, replaying the earlymorning incident.
She wondered what Violet might have been after. Money? She kept no cash at home, only spare change. Documents? Those were stored elsewhere.
That evening Lily finally slept. Eleanor inspected the chest, checked every drawer, found everything intact. Yet the feeling of her privacy being breached lingered, humiliating and frightening at once.
She called her own mother.
Its not right, her mother said. You need to put your motherinlaw in her place.
How? David protects her.
Have a serious talk with David. Tell him this cant continue.
Maybe change the locks? Hell think thats too much.
Im scared it will cause a huge row.
Dont you think thats already a row? No one should be rummaging through your belongings.
Tell him I need my own space, my own territory.
After the call, Eleanor decided to act. She waited until David came home, served dinner, then sat opposite him.
David, we need to talk.
What about? he asked, scrolling his phone.
About your mother. This morning, she was in my chest. It isnt a joke.
David put his phone down, sighing.
Weve talked about this before.
No, we havent. You just brush it off.
Youre overreacting. She was trying to help.
Help by digging through my underwear? Thats not help.
I didnt know where the tissues were.
Enough, David. I slammed my hand on the table. She invaded my privacy.
He rubbed his forehead.
Alright, Ill talk to her.
I want you to take her keys.
What?
I dont want her entering our flat without warning.
He stared at me, eyes widening.
I cant do that.
Ill change the lock.
Silence fell. David looked at Lily, sleeping peacefully in her cot.
Im your son, he said finally. Shes my mother.
Im your wife, David. I have a right to feel safe in my own home.
He stood, his voice tight. Im going to see my mother now.
Ill ask her why she was in my chest at six.
He left, closing the door behind him.
The night stretched long. I held Lily, feeling the weight of the house pressing in.
The next morning David returned, looking pale.
He said she really was looking for tissues. He believes her.
I dont believe you, I said. I saw her with my own eyes.
He whispered, I should have listened to you sooner.
Im tired of being the one who has to defend my own space while you side with your mother.
He stared at the floor.
What do you want me to do?
Choose a side.
He hesitated, then finally said, Im on your side, Eleanor. I promise.
I wanted to believe him, but his promises often fell short in practice.
A few weeks later, Violet came to Lilys first birthday. She kept a low profile, brought a modest gift, and left early. I walked her to the door.
Thank you for the letter, I said. For being honest.
Im sorry, she replied, taking my hand. I was a fool, listening to gossip instead of speaking to you.
I never trusted you from the start.
I was scared of losing my son. Hes my only child.
He wasnt leaving; he was building a family.
We sat in silence for a moment.
Violet, lets start again, I suggested. Can we try to build a decent relationship?
She nodded, wiping away tears.
Okay. Ill try.
From then on, things improved slowly. Violet stopped the constant criticisms, only visited when invited, helped with Lily when asked, but never imposed herself. I began to include her more in small decisions, sharing a bit of the household news. Trust was far from complete, but respect grew.
David was relieved to see the two most important women in his life finally getting along.
For me, the lesson was clear: you must defend your boundaries, even when it hurts, because otherwise youll be stepped on and lose yourself. Once those lines are drawn, you can work toward healthier, equal relationships. Ive learned that staying silent only lets the invasion continue; speaking up preserves both self and family.
