Look, girl, if you bring a dish to the table youll be out the door in a flash. Weve already had enough shame, Margaret warned Lily, her voice sharp as a winter wind. Lily had never expected anything more from her old gran, but the words rang in her ears like a bell.
Since childhood Lily had heard that her mother, Susan, was the one who had run away with a lover. We lived five years with Michael and had no children. Then Susan went off to a seaside resort and came back with a baby, Margaret would repeat, never minding the facts. It didnt matter that Susan had left three years before Lily was born, travelling with her sister Nadine, Lilys aunt. The old woman insisted that Lily was a product of a wandering mother.
John, Lilys father, stared at his wife like a wolf at its prey, for what else could he do when every day the village gossip whispered that his wife was raising a troublesome child? The house was big, and when John married he never left his mothers side; he felt obliged to look after his parents.
The mother hated her daughterinlaw, calling her a burden. She sits and walks like a pest. Shell never be a proper wife. Yet the son clung to his mother, pleading, I love her.
Grandma Margaret also despised the granddaughter, calling her an outsider even as the girl grew up. The only child Lily could truly trust was her own daughter, Charlotte, a bright, pretty, sweethearted girl. The rest of the family called her the wild one, as coldhearted as a wolf cub.
One afternoon Charlotte rushed in, calling Margaret Gran, but the old woman only gave a sour glance. What do you want, child? she asked. Would you like some cucumbers?
I dont want bitter ones, Charlotte replied.
Fine, bitter it is, Margaret muttered, youre a lazy wretch, Lily, a blight on this house. Mary, Mary, feed the child, the starving babe. She shuffled a plate of stale biscuits toward her.
Hard biscuits, the girl complained.
Hard and bitter, Margaret replied, youll never learn to be grateful. The old woman watched Charlotte, shaking her head, Your mothers a stone, youll never change her.
Your granddaughter will have a home, Margaret finally said, or shall I cast you out, without shelter? If you cant manage, perhaps your own parents should step in.
That was Lilys life. When she decided to go to the city to study, Margaret gave her a final warning. Lily was bright, eager, and loved everything about town lifethe fashionable dresses, the sharp suits, the courteous gentlemen. She wanted to show her mother the worlds beauty, but how could she take Lily away? The old woman and John would never let it happen; they clung to their old ways as a snake to a stone.
Lily befriended the house warden, Anne Anderson, whose grownup son lived up north with his own two grandchildren. Come visit us, Anne urged, the mothers meeting is tomorrow, and youll need some support.
When Lilys father muttered his disapproval, Margaret scoffed, Shes flirting with boys, not studying. Lilys mother feared criticism but was praised by teachers, and her spirits rose. Lily introduced her mother to the dormitory and to Anne. The women soon became friends over tea.
Dont be shy, Margaret, Anne said, pouring the tea. Martha, tell us your story.
Martha (Lilys friend) talked all night. Ive spent my life as a servant. Apart from Lily, I have no children. My husband and I are fine, children or not. She sighed, I studied hard, wanted to live in the city, go to the library, but fate had other plans. At least Im grateful to Lily for showing me the town; Ive never left the village before.
Anne smiled, Perhaps Lily will stay in the city; that would be good. Her mother waved her hand, Then shell live her whole life there, hoping a decent man appears.
What do you do, Martha? Anne asked.
Im an accountant, Martha replied, laughing. Ive always wanted to be in the city.
Come move, Anne urged. Well help you.
Marthas husband, Michael, a hardheaded man, grew angry. He struck her badly one night, so fiercely that even the old neighbors feared him. He ran to the local constable, bragging, Shes no good, a troublemaker, a witch.
Martha, bruised and frightened, gathered a few belongings, filed a complaint, and left the abusive home. Lily ran to the kitchen, eyes wide, Mum, is that you?
Its me, love, her mother whispered, Ive no strength left, but Anne will help you.
Will you come back? Lily asked, tears spilling.
No, Margaret said, clenching her lips, I must go so you can live better.
Martha found work at a factory as an accountant, got a room in a dormitory, and began to blossom. She and Lily walked together each evening, and the townsfolk whispered about them. Michael returned one day, furious, Im coming for you, Margaret!
I wont go with you, she snapped, Ive had enough.
Michael snarled, but Martha, now steadier, stood her ground. Leave, Michael, or Ill call the police. He stammered, Did you get my letter?
No, she replied, bewildered. What letter?
Just sorry, he muttered, I love you still.
Martha turned away, Youre a wolf that loved a sheep; youve hurt enough. Michael fled, and the village fell silent.
Later, Michael, drinking heavily, shouted, Mother, where is my letter? He stumbled home, drunkenly demanding, Give me the money! He brought home a woman named Katherine, who quickly claimed the household, pushing Martha aside.
Katherine ruled the house with an iron fist, and Michael bowed to her. The old women whispered, Martha lives in the city now, a proper lady, while Katherine is nothing but a schemer.
Charlotte, Lilys bright granddaughter, grew up without a proper family ceremony; even the grandmother was not invited to her wedding. The village gossiped, She swapped her mother for a fickle woman, a false friend.
In the end, Lily, Martha, Anne, and even Margaret learned that love and respect cannot be bought or forced. The village, once tangled in spite and suspicion, slowly healed as the women supported each other.
The story ends with a simple truth: kindness, courage, and standing up for what is right bring lasting peace, while bitterness only breeds more sorrow.
