Emily pulled her car to a stop just around the corner from her mother-in-laws house. The clock read 5:45 p.m.shed arrived earlier than agreed. Perhaps this time shell appreciate my punctuality, she thought, smoothing the wrinkles from her new dress. The gifta vintage brooch shed spent months hunting down at antique fairssat neatly wrapped on the back seat.
As she approached the house, she noticed the downstairs window slightly ajar. Her mother-in-laws voice drifted out clearly:
No, Margaret, can you believe it? She didnt even bother to ask what cake I liked! Ordered some modern dessert instead. Our Oliver always adored a classic Victoria sponge, and she a pause, doesnt even understand that. Seven years of marriage!
Emily froze. Her feet might as well have sunk into the pavement.
Of course, Ive told you beforeshes not right for Oliver. Works day and night at that clinic of hers, barely home. What sort of homemaker is that? Yesterday, I popped rounddirty dishes, dust on the furniture And her, naturally, tied up with some complicated surgery!
Everything inside her went still. Emily leaned against the garden fence, knees trembling. For seven years, shed tried to be the perfect daughter-in-law: cooking, cleaning, remembering every birthday, visiting when her mother-in-law was ill. And all for nothing
No, I havent said a word, but reallyis that the sort of woman my son should be with? He needs a proper family, warmth, care And shes always off at conferences or on night shifts. Doesnt even think about children! Can you imagine?
Her head throbbed. Mechanically, she pulled out her phone and dialled her husband.
Oliver? Ill be a bit late. Yes, everythings fine, just traffic.
She turned and walked back to the car. Sliding into the drivers seat, she stared blankly ahead. The words shed just heard echoed in her mind: Perhaps a pinch more salt?, In my day, women stayed home, Oliver works so hard, he needs looking after
Her phone buzzeda text from Oliver: Mums asking where you are. Everyones here.
Emily took a deep breath. A strange smile curled her lips. Right, she thought. If they want the perfect daughter-in-law, theyll get her.
She started the engine and swung the car back toward her mother-in-laws house. The plan had formed in an instant.
No more trying to please. Time to show them what a proper daughter-in-law could really be like.
Emily swept into the house with the brightest smile she could muster. Dearest Mum! she trilled, embracing her mother-in-law with theatrical enthusiasm. Forgive my lateness, but I popped into three different shops to find those exact scented candles you adore!
Her mother-in-law stiffened, startled by the outburst. I thought she began, but Emily steamrolled on:
Oh, and guess whatI bumped into your friend Margaret on the way! Such a lovely woman, always so *honest*, isnt she? Emily fixed her mother-in-law with a pointed look, watching the colour drain from her face.
Dinner was a masterclass. Emily piled the best cuts onto her mother-in-laws plate, gasped at every word she said, and peppered her with relentless questions about household management.
Mummy darling, how long *exactly* should a roast be in the oven? And the curtainsweekly dusting or biweekly? Perhaps I should quit my job? After all, Oliver needs a *proper* family, doesnt he?
Oliver stared at her, baffled. Relatives exchanged glances. But Emily didnt let up:
I was thinkingmaybe Ill take a course in domestic science? Give up this silly doctoring lark A womans place is in the home, isnt that right, Mummy?
Her mother-in-laws fork tapped nervously against her plate. Her confidence withered by the minute.
And what happened next? Well, some stories are best read to the end
