Emily stared at her husband, James, with a bewildered glance. Again? We just helped your mother the other day. She sighed, I dont want any more. Lets have a quiet weekend, just the two of us.
Jamess eyes were fixed, unmoving. Emily, you know my mothers been struggling. Fathers gone, she cant manage everything alone. Im the only son, I have to look after her.
Fine. Why is your mother coming to us now? Emily asked.
She needs creamcoloured wallpaper and a few other small supplies, James replied.
Cant we order them? Emily suggested.
She cant place an order herself. Well all go together this weekend, take a walk, get some fresh air, he said.
Strolling around a DIY megastore for fun, Emily muttered, a hint of irritation in her voice. Yet she didnt want to ruin the weekend, so she placed every item on the list herself, chose the colours, paid the bill. Her motherinlaw, Margaret Clarke, only had to receive the materials; there was no longer any need to bring them to their London flat.
The delivery was slated for Friday evening, so Emily convinced herself there would be no trouble. Her surprise was total when Margaret appeared on Saturday morning, dragging all the purchases behind her.
You wanted me to haul all this weight. Why? Margaret asked sharply. James, didnt you tell her?
It was a surprise, Margaret, Emily, still in her nightdress, tried to justify in the hallway.
Margaret measured Emily with a contemptuous glance, then turned to her son. Whats the silence for? Got something to say? Tell your wife about our surprise.
What surprise? Emily turned to James, sensing she was being kept in the dark.
Im moving in with you for a few months, Margaret announced, slipping off her coat.
Before Emily could react, another surprise followed. And youre coming to me, Margaret added, heading to the kitchen. Emily grabbed Jamess hand and whispered, angry and confused, What news? What moves? I never planned this; we never discussed it.
James shrugged, as if nothing had happened. Sorry, I didnt get to say it. Mum suggested it. Dont worry, we wont move right away, he said, walking toward his mother.
Emily retreated to the bedroom, unwilling to confront Margaret openly. As evening approached, the situation clarified. James finally explained.
Emily, you have a chance here. Think about it. Well renovate the house the way you want. Itll boost your portfolio; all your clients will love it. While were working, well live there. Mum isnt old enough to breathe construction dust, and the workers need supervision.
Do I have to do that? Emily asked, more puzzled.
Its care, dear. Moving me to a country cottage for months is the price of that care. I dont want to live in a cramped flat.
Were not moving now, first of all. You just ordered the wallpaper. Well do the renovation in one room so Mum likes the place.
How will she breathe the dust?
Well open a window; she wont even notice. Shell just keep an eye on things. Were not in a position to set conditions for her. The flat belongs to her, the house is legally mine.
It belongs to her only because you never inherited?
Why are you meddling in our family affairs? Weve agreed on everything. Im the sole heir after Mum.
Dont worry, everything will end up with us eventually.
If the flat were in your name, your mother wouldnt have kicked us out for months. Now, because of your naivety, we have to live in the village.
Margaret listened at the door, and when Emilys frustration burst forth, the bedroom door swung open abruptly.
Youd be better off staying silent, Margaret defended her son. You never had a heart when you chose him.
Chosen? Emily echoed, stunned.
Of course, chosen. Without him the world would have fallen apart! And now youre eyeing the inheritance?
I think its fair. Youve shortchanged our son.
Justice, is it? Margaret stared intently at James. Why are you quiet? Do you agree with her?
James said nothing, unwilling to pick a side.
I want to, Emily persisted, I feel youve taken everything from our son. What if you got married?
Me? Margaret laughed. Married? She brightened, pleased that Emily didnt call her old. Fine, youll renovate the house and Ill transfer the flat to our son. Happy? Then Ill have the house reregistered in my name.
Emily felt a hollow triumph. James looked a little upset that hed argued with his mother, but tried to hide it.
Its still awkward with Mum, he muttered in the car.
They finished the oneroom renovation quickly, and a week later they were packing for the cottage.
Shes coming with all her heart, and we?
We simply take whats ours. Soon the flat will be ours. Imagine that, James said, eyes bright.
Emily dreamed of owning a threebedroom flat, a dream that seemed close to reality.
The cottage welcomed them with dull colours and a massive workload, the cost as grand as the task itself.
Nothing, James thought, well take a loan, and in the end well have the flat.
Emily agreed and threw herself into the work. Though she fretted about living in a house without the comforts she knew, a vision of the future spurred her on.
The work progressed slowly but well. Emily oversaw every stage, her control tightening. She found herself enjoying the process and the house itself.
A private garden is essential, or at least a small plot with flowers, she declared.
She moved forward with the land registration, something that hadnt been in her plans at first.
Each evening she proudly recounted the days progress to James.
Lets plant roses; Ive already ordered them, she said.
James, thats beyond our budget. We cant afford it. Mum will move in and plant herself, he replied.
Something inside Emily stirred; she poured her heart into the project.
James, maybe we should stay here? I like it. The house is already yours, no need to transfer anything.
Dont you want a flat?
Whats there to do? Its stuffy, cramped. Here theres space!
Ill speak to Mum, James said.
Emily felt happy. She now tended both home and garden, a new life fitting her perfectlyuntil Margaret arrived.
Good morning, Margaret Clarke. Why show up unannounced? Emily greeted, ready to show the renovation, though something about Jamess mother displeased her.
Whats there to announce when Im coming home? I heard the work is dragging, so Im here to see whats happening.
Coming home? Oh, James hasnt told me yet; were staying.
Where? Im here, Ill stay in the house. It belongs to James; theres nothing to reregister.
Margaret sat down the moment she heard those words.
You selfish thing, youre taking my house, is that it? I came to meet them, and you decide to cheat me?
Ill stay here! Plus, James is fully on my side. Dont push this to a fight; pack your things, she snapped.
Emily was taken aback. She never imagined Margaret would like the house. She had always praised the flat, boasting how well they lived in civilisation while she was far from society.
James and Emily sat in silence for an hour and a half, each lost in thought. Both hoped James would side with the house.
James returned home in a sour mood, seeing his mother and wife, his spirits sinking.
What happened? both women asked, increasing his discomfort.
Our firm went bankrupt; I have no work. Well have to stay here, Emily, in the cottage. Its a garden, we can save somehow, James said.
His mother stared, silent. Inside, Emily felt a triumph. James didnt even need to choose; he made the decision himself.
Emily still had doubts; James often did as his mother wished.
Mum, sorry, but itll really be easier for us here. Well repay the loans and get on our feet.
Time was short, and village life was simplerno expensive shops, only essentials.
Margaret agreed with her son, unable to deny him.
His mother said goodbye and left. James grinned at Emily.
So, whats my part in this?
What do you mean?
I know Mum wanted to return home and saw how you love it here. I figured she wont refuse.
He didnt want a property dispute.
Emily hugged James and thanked him.
