*”We didnt invite her,”* whispered my daughter-in-law when she saw me at the door.
*”Mummy, when is Granny Olive coming?”* little Emily asked, smearing the last bits of porridge around her plate.
*”I dont know, love. Maybe she wont come at all,”* replied Lucy, clearing the breakfast dishes.
Andrew looked up from his newspaper, frowning at his wife.
*”What do you mean, she wont come? Mums always been here for Emilys birthday. Its practically tradition.”*
*”Well, let it stay a tradition in your dreams,”* Lucy muttered, clattering the cups into the sink.
Seven-year-old Emily frowned, glancing between her parents. She hated it when they spoke to each other like thatespecially when it was about Granny Olive.
*”But I want her to come! She always brings me presents, and we go to the park, and she tells me stories about princesses!”*
*”Emily, go brush your teeth, or well be late for nursery,”* Lucy interrupted.
The little girl pouted but obediently slid off her chair and trudged to the bathroom.
*”Lucy, whats got into you?”* Andrew said quietly, stepping closer. *”Shes been waiting for her grandmother.”*
*”And whose fault is that?”* Lucy spun around. *”Your mother decided not to come anymoreafter that row last time.”*
*”What row? You just told her what you thought about her ideas on raising children!”*
*”I told her the truth!”* Lucys voice rose. *”She spoils Emily rotten! Every time she visits, Emilys impossible for a weekdemanding this and that. Granny lets me! Granny buys me!”*
Andrew clenched his fists, then exhaled deeply.
*”Mum just loves her granddaughter. Shes lonely since Dad passed. Emilys her only joy.”*
*”Joy?”* Lucy scoffed. *”And who has to deal with the fallout? Not her!”*
From the bathroom came the sound of splashing water and a nursery rhyme. Emily was brushing her teeth, humming cheerfully.
*”Listen, lets not do this in front of her,”* Andrew pleaded. *”Emily doesnt deserve this.”*
Lucy dried her hands on a tea towel, sinking into a chair with a heavy sigh.
*”Andrew, Im not a monster. I feel for your mum too. But shes always interferingcriticising me, making comments. Last time, she actually said I was a bad mother for not letting Emily have ice cream before bed!”*
*”Shes just trying to help”*
*”Her way!”* Lucy cut in. *”And what about my way? Shes my daughterI know whats best for her!”*
Emily burst out of the bathroom, chin still damp, beaming.
*”Mummy, Daddy, lets invite Granny Olive ourselves! Tell her we miss her ever so much!”*
Lucy and Andrew exchanged glances. In his wifes eyes, he saw exhaustionsomething like defeat.
*”Em, hurry up and get ready,”* Lucy said softly. *”Or well be late, and Mrs. Thompson will scold us.”*
The day passed as usual. Lucy dropped Emily at nursery, then drove to her job at a small accounting firm, where she spent hours over ledgers and calculators. The work was dull, but the pay was steady, and that was what mattered.
At lunch, her colleague Sarah asked, *”Youre awfully quiet todaytrouble at home?”*
*”Just family squabbles,”* Lucy sighed. *”Mother-in-law took offence and wont visit. Emilys heartbroken.”*
*”What happened?”*
Lucy stirred her soup absently.
*”Maybe I am being a witch, Sarah. But she never stops telling me how to raise my own child! Every visit, its: Lucy, why is Emily wearing that jumper, shell catch cold, Lucy, isnt it too early for bed, let her play longer, Lucy, do you even take her outside, she looks pale!”*
*”She means well,”* Sarah offered.
*”Oh, I know her kind of meaning well. When Andrew was little, she dragged him to doctors every week, wrapped him up like a mummy, wouldnt let him play outside in case he scraped his knee. Now he cant make a decision without second-guessing himself!”*
Sarah raised an eyebrow. *”And now she wants to do the same with Emily?”*
*”Exactly! Id rather she didnt come at all than turn my daughter into a nervous wreck.”*
But the words lacked conviction. Deep down, Lucy pitied her mother-in-lawand Emily, and even Andrew.
That evening, after Emily was asleep, the couple sat at the kitchen table with their tea. Andrew flipped through a magazine; Lucy puzzled over a crossword. The silence stretched.
*”Listen,”* Andrew said at last. *”Maybe we should call Mum? Emilys birthdays next week.”*
Lucy looked up sharply.
*”You want to call her?”*
*”I dont know. You were the one who said if she didnt like how we raised Emily, she shouldnt come. She took it to heart.”*
*”Andrew, I never threw her out! I just asked her to stop interfering. And she stormed off in a huff!”*
*”She was upset”*
*”Your mother is always upset!”* Lucy snapped. *”Youre thirty-two years old, with a family of your own! When will you start being a husband and father instead of a mummys boy?”*
Andrew went pale. *”Thats uncalled for.”*
*”Is it? She picked your school, your friends, even your wifeonly I didnt fit her perfect daughter-in-law mould!”*
*”Thats not true”*
*”Isnt it? Remember what she said when we got married? Well, Andrew, lets see how Lucy handles married life. Like I was on probation!”*
Andrew stood, pacing the kitchen.
*”Fine, maybe Mum does overstep sometimes. But shes not our enemy. She cares”*
*”She controls!”* Lucy shot back. *”And you know it. You just wont admit it.”*
*”All right,”* Andrew said wearily. *”We wont call her. Since youre so against it.”*
*”Im not against it!”* Lucy burst out. *”I just want her to respect our choices! To visit as a grandmother, not a dictator!”*
*”Then what do you suggest?”*
Lucy slumped into her chair, rubbing her temples.
*”I dont know. Honestly, I dont.”*
The next day, there was trouble at nursery. Emily had fought with a boy named Jack. The teacher pulled Lucy aside.
*”Mrs. Carter,”* Mrs. Thompson said sternly, *”Emilys been very aggressive lately. Fighting, shouting, disobeying. Is everything all right at home?”*
Lucys face burned.
*”Just the usual family ups and downs.”*
*”Children sense tension. Emily keeps asking when her grandmothers coming. Today, she shouted at Jack, Youre horrid, just like Mummy!”*
Lucys stomach dropped. Emily had heard more than shed realised.
*”Ill talk to her,”* she promised.
*”Id recommend speaking to our child psychologist”*
*”No, thank you. Well manage.”*
At home, Lucy sat beside Emily, who was quietly building with blocks.
*”Sweetheart, lets talk.”*
*”About what?”* Emily mumbled.
*”What happened at nursery. Mrs. Thompson said you had a row with Jack.”*
*”He said Grannys never coming back because you chased her away!”* Emilys voice wobbled. *”I called him a liar, but he laughed!”*
Lucy pulled her close.
*”Oh, darling, no one chased Granny away. Grown-ups just… disagree sometimes.”*
*”Whats disagree?”*
*”When people see things differently. But it doesnt mean we dont love Granny.”*
*”Then why isnt she here?”*
*”Because…”* Lucy hesitated. How could she explain what she barely understood herself?
Emily looked up with tear-filled eyes.
*”Mummy, can we visit Granny? Take the bus like last time?”*
*”Its a long way, love, and she might not”*
*”Lets call her! Right now!”* Emily pleaded.
Lucy looked at her daughters hopeful faceand her heart ached.
*”All right,”* she said softly. *”Well call.”*
The phone rang for a long time. When Olive finally answered, Lucys throat went dry.
*”Mrs. Harris? Its Lucy.”*
Silence. Then, stiffly: *”Yes?”*
*”Emilys birthday is soon. Shes been asking for you.”*
*”Ill wish her happy birthday over the phone.”*
*”But she wants to see you! She misses you terribly”*
*”And you?”* Olive interrupted.
Lucy faltered.
*”I… I do too. Mrs. Harris, lets talk properly. No shouting, no grudges.”*
Another pause.
*”Put Emily on.”*
*”Granny!”* Emily squealed. *”Granny, when are you coming? I can read whole books now!”*
Lucy only heard one side, but Emilys face fell.
*”But I want you at my party! All my friends ask where you are… Why cant you come?… Whats grown-up problems?”*
Emily handed the phone back, lip trembling.
*”She wants to talk to you.”*
*”Lucy,”* Olives voice was tired. *”Emily shouldnt suffer because of us.”*
*”I know.”*
*”Then tell mewhat have I done thats so wrong? Why do you dislike me so?”*
Lucy leaned her forehead against the wall.
*”I dont dislike you. But… it feels like you dont trust me as a mother. Always advising, criticising”*
*”I only want to help! I raised Andrew”*
*”But shes my child!”* Lucys voice cracked. *”Mine! I have the right to raise her my way!”*
*”You do. And I have the right to my opinion.”*
Lucy took a steadying breath.
*”Mrs. Harris, when you correct me constantly, it makes me feel like a failure. But Im trying my best. I love Emily more than anything.”*
A long silence. Then, quietly:
*”So do I. But perhaps we disagree on whats best for her.”*
*”Perhaps.”*
*”Lucy… if I visitif I try not to interferecould you try to be… kinder?”*
Something tight in Lucys chest loosened.
*”I can try.”*
*”Then Ill come for Emilys birthday. Just for two days.”*
*”Thank you, Mrs. Harris.”*
*”No. Thank you. For not keeping my granddaughter from me.”*
When Lucy hung up, Emily was watching her intently.
*”Mummy, is Granny coming?”*
*”Yes, darling.”*
*”And you wont be cross with her?”*
*”Ill try not to be.”*
Emily threw her arms around Lucys neck.
*”And Ill be extra good, so you dont argue!”*
That night, telling Andrew about the call, Lucy felt strangely calm.
*”You know,”* she mused, *”maybe weve both been wrong. I overreacted. Your mother overstepped.”*
*”Mums never known where to draw the line,”* Andrew admitted.
*”And Ive been too stubborn to compromise.”*
*”Do you think itll work?”*
*”I dont know. But we owe it to Emily to try.”*
On Emilys birthday, Olive arrived with a towering cake and a small bouquet for Lucy.
*”We didnt invite her,”* Lucy murmured at firstthen smiled and said louder, *”But were so glad youre here.”*
Olive handed her the flowers.
*”Lets start fresh, Lucy. Ill try to just be a grandmother.”*
*”And Ill try to be more patient.”*
Emily came barrelling in, launching herself at Olive.
*”Granny! You came! I thought you didnt love me anymore!”*
*”Silly girl,”* Olive whispered, hugging her tight. *”How could I ever stop loving you?”*
Watching them, Lucy realised theyd kept the most important thinglove. They just had to learn to show it differently.
The party passed peacefully. Olive bit back her advice; Lucy swallowed her sharp replies. Emily was radiantand that was enough.
As Olive left, she squeezed Lucys hand.
*”Thank you for giving me another chance.”*
*”Thank you for loving Emily.”*
*”Our Emily,”* Olive corrected with a smile.
And for the first time in years, Lucy dared to hope they might truly become a family.
