I wont cook for your family anymore! Emily snapped, tossing her apron onto the kitchen table, her hands trembling with barely contained fury.
James froze in the doorway, a bag of groceries in his arms. Hed just returned from the shop with his mothers listthree kilos of meat, vegetables for salads, a dozen eggs for baking. Another family dinner, this time for his aunts birthday.
Em, love, why are you overreacting? he began carefully, setting the bag down. Its just one evening
One evening? Emily turned to him, tears glistening in her eyes. Four years, James! Four years of every weekend, every holiday, me slaving over the stove for hours while your mum takes credit for her signature dishes!
James looked away. He knew she was right. Hed known all along but stayed quieteasier not to argue with his mother, easier not to pick a side.
She helps you he muttered weakly.
Helps? Emily let out a bitter laugh. Your mum sits in the living room with guests, spinning tales about how she stayed up all night baking this cake while Im stuck in the kitchen chopping another bowl of salad!
Jamess phone buzzed. He didnt need to look to know who it was.
Dont answer it! Emily pleaded. Please, lets talk first!
But hed already tapped the green button.
Yeah, Mum Yes, got everything on the list Emily? Shes home, prepping
Emily turned to the window, fists clenched. Here we go again. Another battle lost before it even began.
Mums asking if youve started marinating the meat, James covered the receiver. Guests are arriving by six, we need to”
She can marinate it herself! Emily cut in. Since shes such a brilliant hostess!
James blinked at her, then into the phone. Mum, well well get started. Yeah. See you later.
He set his phone down and rubbed his face.
Em, dont be childish. People are comingits awkward to cancel now
And its fine for me to be your free caterer? She sank onto a chair, exhaustion hitting her. Do you know how much a proper catering service costs for twenty people? At least three hundred quid! And I do it for freewithout so much as a thank you!
I thank you!
You? She gave him a hollow smile. You vanish with the lads to talk football while Im left alone in the kitchen!
James reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
Listenjust cook tonight, and well talk to Mum after. Maybe next time well order in
Next time? Emily shot up, the chair rocking. There wont be a next time! Im done, James. Done being your mothers shadow!
The front door swung openMargaret, her mother-in-law, had her own key. She strode in without knocking, as usual.
Why havent you started cooking? she demanded. Its past three! The meat needs hours to marinate!
Emily took a deep breath.
Margaret, Im not cooking.
Her mother-in-law stilled, as if shed misheard.
What dyou mean, youre not cooking? She turned to James. Whats she on about?
Mum, Emilys exhausted James started, but Margaret cut him off.
Exhausted? From what? Sitting at home all day?
I work remotely! Emily snapped. Full-time!
Oh, tapping a keyboardthats not proper work! Margaret scoffed. In my day, I worked at the factory and still managed the house! Fed my husband, helped my mother-in-law!
Your mother-in-law didnt force you to cook for the whole family every weekend!
Force me? Margarets brows shot up. I did it gladly! Family comes first! Clearly, you dont understand that!
Emily felt the anger surge.
I understand family isnt slavery! I wont spend every weekend at the stove while you entertain!
James! Margaret whirled on her son. Are you hearing this?
James stood trapped between them.
Mum, maybe we should order in. There are decent delivery services
Order in? Margaret gasped. What will people say? That Margaret cant even teach her daughter-in-law to cook? Shameful!
I can cook! Emily shot back. I just refuse to do it every weekend!
Oh, you refuse? Margaret narrowed her eyes. But you were eager to marry my son? To be his wife? Then act like it!
Cooking for twenty isnt dutyits exploitation!
James, I wont listen to this! Margaret clutched her chest dramatically. Your wife is insulting me!
No ones insulting you! James said tiredly. Mum, Emilys right. Maybe we should cut back on guests.
Cut back? Margaret shook her head. Theyre already invited! Aunt Mabels coming from Leeds! What do I tell her? That my daughter-in-law refuses to cook?
Emily grabbed her bag and headed for the door.
Where are you going? James panicked.
To my mums! Let your mother cook her own signature dishessee how that goes!
Emily, wait! He reached for her, but she was already gone.
Silence fell. Margaret slumped onto a chair, the picture of wounded pride.
See what youve married? Selfish girl! Only thinks of herself!
James looked at his motherreally lookedand for the first time, saw it all through Emilys eyes. Every weekend, every holiday, his wife in the kitchen while his mother basked in praise.
Mum why dont you cook? he asked quietly.
What?
If these are your signature dishes, why does Emily make them?
IIm teaching her! Passing down family recipes! Its tradition!
Four years of lessons? James shook his head. Mum, she cooks better than you. And we both know it.
Margarets lips thinned. Fine. If Im not wanted, Ill go home! Sort out your guests yourselves!
She stood, expecting him to stop her. He didnt.
Ill tell Aunt Mabel dinners off! she threatened. Everyone will know what your wifes like!
Tell them the truth, James said. That youve been using my wife as a free caterer for four years.
Margaret gasped. How dare you speak to me like that!
How dare you treat my wife like this! he fired back. Shes rightits exploitation!
The door slammed behind her. Alone, James called Emily. She declined. He texted: *Im sorry. Youre right. Come home, lets talk.*
An hour later, he drove to her parents. Emily sat at their kitchen table, her mum pouring her tea.
Can we talk? he asked from the doorway.
Her mum glanced at Emily, who nodded.
Ill give you space, her mum said, slipping out.
James sat across from his wife.
Im sorry. Ive been a blind idiot.
Four years of being a blind idiot! Emily wouldnt meet his eyes. I tried to talk to you so many times!
I know. And every time, I took the easy way outdidnt argue with Mum. Thought it kept the peace.
Peace for who? Youyes. But me?
I get it now. After you left, Mum said shed handle dinner. Guess what? She didnt even know where we keep the flour! Four years of waltzing in like she owns the place, clueless!
Emily gave a tearful smirk. But brilliant at giving orders!
I called the guests, James said. Explained were postponing. And guess what? Aunt Mabel knew you did all the cooking! She came specially for your lemon drizzle cake!
The one your mum calls *her* recipe?
Exactly. James took her hand. Emily, I promiseno more catering for Mum. If she wants guests, she orders in or cooks herself!
Shell be furious!
Let her be! James said firmly. I wont lose you over her pride.
Emily studied him. Big words. Prove it.
His phone rang*Mum* flashed onscreen.
Answering? Emily asked.
James declined the call.
Tonight, Im with my wife. Not listening to Mums theatrics.
They returned home late. Twelve voicemails from Margaretranging from outrage to guilt-tripping. James deleted them unplayed.
Tomorrowll be rough, he said.
Don
