Scandal in Greenfield: A Shadow of Family Feud
“Lucy, Mum just called. She and Dad are coming over to visit Emily,” said James, stepping into the room where his wife was putting their one-year-old daughter to sleep.
Lucy’s face fell. The news hit her like a punch. Her relationship with Margaret had soured after Emily’s birth, though it had once been warm. What infuriated Lucy was how her mother-in-law, seizing every opportunity, secretly fed the baby whatever she pleased—ignoring every request the young mother made.
Every visit ended in conflict. The last time, three months ago, Margaret had given Emily a chocolate cake. Lucy had left her daughter with her for just five minutes, and that was enough.
“What are you doing?” Lucy had snapped, snatching Emily from Margaret’s arms. “She’s only nine months old! Cake? Seriously?”
Furious at the woman’s defiance, she’d rushed the baby to the bathroom to clean chocolate smears from her tiny hands and face. From the bathroom, she heard James scolding his mother in the kitchen:
“Why can’t you just listen? You never do!”
“What’s the harm? You ate sweets as a child, and you turned out fine,” Margaret retorted.
“Good parenting, that,” James shot back. “Really brilliant.”
“Well, excuse me for caring,” Margaret muttered, arms crossed.
By the time Lucy returned with Emily, she couldn’t hold back. “Just leave if you can’t behave!”
Margaret’s eyes darted to her son, waiting for backup. But his silence spoke volumes.
“Oh, please! Back in my day, we fed kids whatever we had, and none of this internet nonsense. You’re making a fuss over nothing!” With that, she stormed out.
When she was gone, Lucy turned to James, desperation burning in her chest. The resentment toward Margaret simmered.
“We’re not letting her in again,” he said, answering her silent plea.
For three months, Margaret stayed away. She called, asked for photos, but never dared visit—until Emily’s first birthday.
“She’s up to something,” Lucy hissed.
“I warned her,” James insisted. “She won’t cross the line.”
Lucy didn’t believe him. Margaret had never listened before.
The in-laws arrived exactly ten minutes after James’s call—proof they expected an open door. Margaret barged in, cooing:
“Where’s my little love? Where’s my sweetheart? We brought presents!” She thrust a bag at Lucy.
Her husband, Peter, carried a cake and a bottle of champagne. He shoved them at James.
“Didn’t want to trouble you—brought our own!” Margaret announced grandly, implying the treats weren’t just for sharing.
Lucy saw right through it. Handing Emily to James, she began setting the table in the living room while James helped. Margaret and Peter stayed in the kitchen with the baby—out of the way, or so it seemed.
“Pop the champagne. Forty quid a bottle,” Margaret whispered.
Peter pried the cork free, handing it to her.
“In a glass, you daft man!” she scolded. “I’ve got the baby!”
He obeyed, pouring her a drink. She sipped, smacked her lips, and nodded. “Lovely.” Then, glancing at Emily, she murmured, “Just a sip, darling. No one will know.”
“Lucy’ll have your head,” Peter chuckled.
Hearing his odd remark, Lucy peeked in—and froze. Margaret was tilting the glass toward the baby’s lips.
“What are you DOING?” Lucy shrieked, lunging forward to snatch the glass. “I told you—nothing! How dare you?” She clutched Emily, voice trembling with rage.
“Oh, relax! James had sips as a baby,” Margaret laughed, sensing the storm brewing. “It’s fine—good for digestion, even—”
“OUT!” James roared, storming in. “Enough! First cake, now champagne? Not a drop—NOTHING—for my daughter!”
“Stop shouting!” Peter snapped. “It was just a taste!”
“You won’t give her so much as a crumb ever again!” James thundered. “Get out and stay out! What next—whisky?”
“Always so dramatic! You and Lucy—perfect match,” Margaret sneered. “Come on, Peter.”
The front door slammed. Lucy, still shaking, held Emily close.
“That’s it. Your parents aren’t setting foot here again. What is wrong with her?” she seethed.
“Fine by me,” James muttered.
After that, contact with his parents ended. Margaret and Peter nursed their wounded pride, while the young couple couldn’t forgive the reckless defiance that had put their child at risk.
