“We don’t want you at the wedding,” my children told me.
“Mum, for heaven’s sake, why are you washing those plates again? They’re already clean!” Emily sighed, watching her mother scrub the same dish for the fourth time.
“What if the guests notice the streaks?” Margaret squinted, holding a plate up to the light. “Its a weddingeverything has to be perfect.”
“Mum, honestly, no ones going to inspect the plates! Theyll be too busy staring at the bride and groom. Youve been in the kitchen for three hours already.” Emily stepped closer, arms outstretched for a hug, but Margaret sidestepped her.
“Dont distract me, please. The salads arent done, and the cake still needs decorating. Theres no time.”
Emily shook her head and left the kitchen. In the living room, her fiancé, Daniel, was nervously adjusting his tie.
“Listen, is your mum really going to manage all this? Wouldnt it have been easier to book a restaurant?” he whispered.
“Its too late noweveryones invited here. She insisted on hosting at home. Says restaurants dont have the same warmth.” Emily took his hand. “Just bear with her, love. Shes doing her best.”
Daniel nodded, though doubt lingered in his eyes. Margaret had spent three months preparingresearching recipes, shopping, planning every detail. At first, Emily had been touched by her enthusiasm, but lately, her mother had become irritable, obsessing over trivialities.
“Emily! Come taste the salad!” Margaret called from the kitchen.
The bride sighed and stepped in. Her mother stood by the stove, spoon in hand.
“I think theres enough salt, but maybe it needs more?”
“Mum, its fine! Youve asked me ten times already!”
“Well, excuse me for trying!” Margaret turned away, hurt. “I just want everything to be nice. Proper. So Daniels parents dont think were… that we dont know how to…”
Emily rested her hands on her mothers shoulders. “Mum, whats gotten into you? His parents are lovely, down-to-earth people. They wont care how much mayo youve used.”
“Wont they?” Margaret spun around. “Did you hear what his mother said on the phone yesterday? ‘Oh, we always had smoked salmon on the table at home.’ Smoked salmon! And here I am with prawn cocktail…”
“She didnt mean anything by it. She was just reminiscing.”
“Dont be naive! I hear them whispering. ‘Margaret lives so modestly, doesnt she?’ As if I should be ashamed I raised you alone after your father left!”
Emily fell silent. That wound always festered, and now, with the wedding looming, old resentments had surfaced.
“No ones judging you. Everyone knows you did brilliantly on your own.”
“Oh, of course they do,” Margaret scoffed. “Daniels parents have a three-storey house, a new car. And what do I have? A two-bed semi and a homemade buffet.”
“I dont care about their house! Im marrying Daniel, not his parents!”
Daniel walked in, drawn by the raised voices. “Ladies, whats going on?”
“Nothing, nothing,” Margaret said quickly, wiping her hands on her apron. “Just finalising the menu. Nearly done.”
He glanced around. Platters of food covered the table, the oven hummed, and the air smelled rich and inviting.
“Margaret, this looks incredible. Honestly, my parents will be blown away.”
“Oh, stop it…” She flushed, pleased despite herself.
“No, really. Ive always preferred home cookingrestaurants feel so impersonal. This has heart.”
For the first time all day, Margaret smiled.
“Daniel, would you like tea? Coffee? Ill make a fresh pot.”
“Mum, guests arrive in an hour,” Emily reminded her. “You still need to get ready.”
“Oh, blimey! I forgot!” Margaret gasped. “My dress isnt pressed, my hairs a mess”
“Youll manage. Go showerIll finish here.” Emily took the apron.
“Dont touch the cake!” Margaret called from the hall. “Ill decorate it myself!”
Daniel wrapped an arm around Emily. “Your mums really stressing. Can we help?”
“She wont let us. Shell double-check every spoonful. Terrified well mess it up.” Emily leaned into him. “I get it, though. She wants to impress your parents.”
“But why? Were not marrying them.”
“Try telling her that. Shes spent her whole life proving she can manage alone.”
Daniel thought for a moment.
“You know what? Ill tell my parents to compliment her cooking. Say its the best theyve ever had.”
“Would you?”
“Absolutely. Look how much effort shes put in.”
Emily kissed his cheek. “Thank you. Shell be over the moon.”
Half an hour later, Margaret emerged in a navy-blue dress, hair styled, lips painted.
“How do I look?” she asked hesitantly.
“Stunning!” Daniel said. “Right, Em?”
“Gorgeous, Mum.” Emily hugged her. “The perfect mother-in-law.”
Margaret flushed, smoothing her dress.
“Oh, the cake! I forgot the icing”
“Mum, guests are already buzzing the intercom,” Emily said, peering out the window. “Leave itits beautiful as is.”
“But the buttercream roses”
“Margaret, trust me, its perfect,” Daniel cut in. “Go greet everyonewell set the rest out.”
Daniels parents arrived first. Eleanor, elegant in a tailored suit, scanned the flat. Margaret braced herself.
“How cosy!” Eleanor said. “You can tell a homes been loved in.”
“Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Margaret said, brightening.
Guests trickled inEmilys friends, neighbours, relatives. The flat buzzed with chatter. Margaret flitted between rooms, refilling drinks, checking plates.
“Margaret, sit down!” Daniels father, Michael, beckoned. “Youre the hostesswe barely see you!”
“How can I? Theres so much to”
“Nonsense! Sit. Lets get to know each other.”
Margaret perched on the edge of a chair.
“Did you make this potato salad yourself?” Eleanor asked, sampling a bite.
“Yes, why? Is something”
“Its divine! May I have the recipe?”
Margaret turned pink. “Oh, its nothing special. Just good potatoes, proper mayo…”
“And the prawn cocktail!” one of Emilys friends exclaimed. “Margaret, this is art!”
“Absolutely,” Michael agreed. “My wife mostly reheats ready mealsthis is proper home cooking. You can taste the care.”
Margaret bloomed under the praise, sharing tips, laughing.
“Look at her,” Emily whispered to Daniel. “Shes a different person.”
“She just needed to feel appreciated,” he said. “See how shes come alive?”
After toasts and speeches, guests mingled. Margaret finally relaxed, even sipped wine.
“Margaret,” Eleanor said, joining her. “Youve raised a wonderful daughter. Daniel adores herits clear she grew up cherished.”
“Thank you,” Margaret murmured, eyes glistening. “It wasnt easy, but I wanted her to want for nothing.”
“And you succeeded. Shes kind, capablethe sort of daughter-in-law every mother dreams of.”
“Oh, stop…” Margaret glowed.
“And your cooking! Ive eaten so much, my dress wont button!”
Margaret laughed. “Have more! I made plentytry the roast beef, the salmon…”
Late that night, as the last guests left, the three of them sat together. Margaret kicked off her heels, exhausted but content.
“Well, Mum? Happy?” Emily asked.
“You know, love,” Margaret mused, “I worried for nothing. Daniels parentstheyre good people. Kind.”
“Told you!”
“Yes, you did. I was too busy assuming theyd judge me for my little semi and homemade spread. But they value warmth over flash.”
Daniel kissed her hand. “Margaret, thank you. Mums already stolen three of your recipes.”
“Oh, go on with you.” She chuckled. “Theyre just ordinary dishes.”
“Not to us. Theyre made with love.”
Margaret hugged them both.
“Be happy, my dears. And if you ever need meIm here.”
“Love you, Mum.” Emily squeezed her.
Margaret watched them, heart full. The fears had been for nothing. What mattered were these peoplethis love. That was riches enough.
“Off to bed,” she said. “Ill tidy up.”
“Mum, leave it till morning!”
“I cant. Not my way.” She shooed them off. “You need your rest.”
Daniel and Emily exchanged a grin. Some things would never changeand that was just fine.
Alone at the sink, Margaret smiled. All that dread, all that fear of not measuring up… and in the end, it wasnt about money or grandeur. It was about heart. And hers, it seemed, had been seen.
Tomorrow, Emily would be a wife. But their bond wouldnt falterif anything, it would grow. Now she wasnt just a mother. She was a mother-in-law. And that was a title she intended to honour.
