The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife when Eleanors mother-in-law made her announcement in front of everyone.
“What do you mean, ‘not in the mood’? This is my house, and Ill cook what I see fit!” Eleanor declared firmly, pulling a dish of marinated meat from the refrigerator. “Im tired of bending to her whims. If Margaret doesnt like Peking duck, she can have bread!”
“Ellie,” James rubbed his temples wearily, “you know Mums got stomach troubles. The doctor said no spicy food. Was it really so hard to make something mild?”
“Every single time!” Eleanor slammed the dish onto the table. “Last Christmas, it was ‘no salt.’ On Williams birthday’nothing fried.’ Now’nothing spicy!’ Does anyone ever think about what I want? I spent a week searching for this recipe and two days preparing the marinade!”
Seven-year-old William peeked into the kitchen. “Mum, Grandmas here. And Uncle George and Aunt Lydia are with her.”
Eleanor exhaled sharply, steadying herself. The guests had arrived earlier than expected, and she hadnt even changed. The argument with James had done nothing to lift her spirits.
“Go on and greet them,” she nodded to James. “Ill freshen up and join you in a moment.”
James hesitated in the doorway. “Ellie, pleaseno arguments tonight. Mum wants to introduce us to her new husband. Its important to her.”
“I understand,” Eleanor forced a smile. “Go on, dont keep them waiting.”
Alone, she closed her eyes and counted to ten. Margaret had been a constant thorn in her side since the beginning of her relationship with James. For all six years of their marriage, shed interferedhow to raise William, how to decorate the flat, what to serve for supper. And James, raised to believe “Mum knows best,” had rarely taken Eleanors side.
*Fine. Tonights special,* she told herself. *Ill be polite. Maybe if Margaret has a husband now, shell meddle less.*
She changed swiftly into the dress shed laid out earlier, touched up her lipstick, smoothed her unruly curls, and stepped into the sitting room with the brightest smile she could muster.
“Hello, Margaret!” Eleanor moved to embrace her mother-in-law, but the older woman gave only a stiff nod. “So lovely to see you. George, Lydia, welcome!”
Jamess brother and his wife smiled warmly. Beside Margaret stood a strangertall, trim, with a neatly trimmed grey beard. *Not bad for sixty-five,* Eleanor noted. *No wonder shes been fussing over herself lately.*
“Everyone, this is Reginald,” Margaret placed a hand on the mans shoulder. “My… friend.”
“Lets be precise, darling,” he corrected gently. “Husband for the past fortnight. Pleasure to meet you all. Margarets told me so much.”
Eleanor caught James and George exchanging startled glances. Clearly, the news of their mothers remarriage came as a shock.
“Congratulations!” Eleanor recovered first. “Thats wonderful! Please, come to the table. I was just about to serve the starters.”
“Ill help,” offered Lydia, Georges wife.
In the kitchen, Lydia immediately whispered, “Blimey! Did you know shed already married him?”
“Not a clue,” Eleanor reached for plates. “James looks shell-shocked.”
“Wouldnt you be?” Lydia smirked. “Margaret always said shed never remarry after Arthur passed. ‘A husband like him comes once in a lifetime,’ remember?”
“I remember,” Eleanor nodded. “But Im happy for her. Maybe now shell… ” She trailed off.
“Bother you less?” Lydia finished. “Dont count on it. This is Margaret were talking about.”
They returned with trays of appetisers. Eleanor noticed William already chattering away with Reginald, who was examining the boys rock collection with genuine interest.
“This ones from the river when Dad and I went fishing,” William explained proudly. “And this ones from a school trip. Lookthis ones shaped like a heart!”
“It is indeed,” Reginald smiled. “Youve got a keen eye, William. Did you know I used to be a geologist? Ive a whole collection at home. If your parents agree, Id love to show you sometime.”
Eleanor watched, surprised. In six years, shed never seen Margaret let anyone bond so easily with William. Usually, she guarded her place as the doting grandmother fiercely.
“Everyone, dinners ready!” Eleanor announced. “The main course will be out shortly.”
“And what is the main course?” Margaret asked, taking her usual seat at the head of the table.
“Peking duck,” Eleanor replied evenly. “And potato gratin.”
“Duck?” Margaret pursed her lips. “You know I cant have spices. And in this heat? A light chicken salad wouldve been better.”
“Its not spicy, Mum,” James interjected. “Ellie left out the pepper.”
A white lieEleanor shot him a grateful look. For once, he was on her side.
“And Ive made steamed chicken breast for you,” Eleanor added. “Completely plain.”
“How thoughtful,” Margaret said thinly. “Though plain chicken is rather dull for guests.”
“Margaret,” Reginald said gently, “Eleanors gone to great effort. Lets enjoy the evening, shall we?”
Margaret shot him a glare but said nothing. George raised his glass to break the tension. “A toast to the newlyweds! To Mum and Reginaldhealth and happiness!”
Relieved, everyone drank. Conversation flowed, and the mood lightened. Reginald proved a fascinating storyteller, full of tales from his travels. Even Margaret seemed to soften.
Later, when the guests had gone and William was asleep, Eleanor and James sat at the kitchen table with tea.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For standing with me.”
“I shouldve done it years ago,” James admitted. “Its hard to break the habit of yieldingespecially to ones mother.”
“I know,” she squeezed his hand. “But tonight, you were the head of *our* family.”
“Do you think Mum will forgive us?”
“In time,” Eleanor said firmly. “Especially if she sees her tactics no longer work.”
“So what now?”
“We set boundaries. Clear ones. Shell always be part of our lives, but she must respect our choices. And in return, Ill respect hers.”
James smiled. “FunnyI feel lighter somehow.”
“Me too,” she admitted. “Id dreaded that confrontation for years, but it was necessary. Sometimes you have to reach the brink before things become clear.”
The next morning, Reginald rang. Margaret wished to apologise and talk when everyone was ready. But that, as they say, is another story.
