Margaret and her mother-in-law sat on the old bed, both wrapped up warm against the winter chill. The fireplace had only just been lit, and the house was still cold.
“Dont fret, Mother. Well be all right. We wont come to ruin,” Margaret murmured, handing her some medicine. She did her best to soothe the older womanthough this wasnt her real mother, but her husbands. Almost her former husbands.
So it happened that they had lived as three: the mother, the son, and his wife, Margaret.
Margaret had married late, at thirty. She was Denniss second wifeshe hadnt broken up his first marriage, for he was already divorced when they met. His mother, Mary Archibald, had taken to her at once. And Margaret had felt the same warmth in return. Kind, understanding, quick with a hug or a quiet word. Margaret had lost her parents young and been left alone in the world. In her mother-in-law, shed found family.
“Thick as thieves,” Dennis would say about them.
Five years of marriage passed like a dream. Then Dennis turned harsh and quick-tempered. He shouted at Margaret, at his mother. The reason? A mistress. He stayed out late, coming home reeking of drink.
One day, he announced he was leaving her. Two days to pack. Margaret hadnt even left yet when his lover arrived, suitcase in hand.
Perhaps shed timed it that way on purposeto see the woman shed replaced and sneer at her. But it didnt go as planned. She was a leggy blonde with painted lips and lashes so thick she could barely blink.
Margaret didnt bother hiding her laughter.
“You traded me for this creature with cows lashes? Well, good luck to you. I shant miss you a bit.”
“At least shes fun. You and Mother are just a pair of old hens.”
“Insult me if you must, but why drag your mother into it?”
“Darling, is his mother staying with us?” the creature squeaked, batting her ridiculous lashes. “She should take her away. Why would we want his mother? Darling?”
“Quite right, Mother. Time you went too. Youve overstayed your welcome.”
“Where am I to go? I gave you every penny from selling my flat so you could build this house!” The old woman clutched her chest.
“None of your dramatics! You can stay, but keep to your room. Albinas mistress here now.”
“Sweetheart, make them both leave.”
“Shes my mother!”
“Your mother? You mean Id have that for a mother-in-law? Oh, darling!”
Margaret had heard enough.
“Mother, will you come with me to the countryside?”
“Better there than with a son like this and that”
“Sit. Ill pack your things.”
“Dont forget my medicine. And my little box. And my handbag.”
Margaret fetched another suitcase, tossing in whatever she couldthe box, the handbag, medicines, papers, linens, clothes.
“Take it all. We want nothing of yours,” Albina chirped. “Isnt that right, my love?”
Dennis said nothing. He knew his mother would never forgive him. Or perhaps she wouldshe was his mother, after all.
Within half an hour, Margaret stood by the car. Mary Archibald sat in the backseat, silently dabbing her eyes. She didnt even glance at her son, only sighed deeply.
Hard to bear, when youve given everythingand meant nothing.
“How shall we manage, my girl?”
“Well be fine. Ive savings enough to last till I find work. Youve your pension. Well get by. Bread and butter wont be a worry.”
They drove to the village where Margaret had spent her childhood. Thank heavens it was still daylight. The cottage was freezing. Margaret lit the fire at once, fetched water, set the kettle on.
“Youve a knack for this. Like youve lived here all your life.”
“Granddad taught me. Lucky we brought foodno need for the shops. Ive no patience for village gossip.”
The cottage warmed slowly.
“Ill give the place a proper scrubbing tomorrow.”
A knock at the door.
“Neighbours back? Been a while. Saw your car. What brings you here in winter? Trouble?”
“Alls well, Uncle Colin. Were settled now. Ill explain another time. Come in for tea.”
“I meant to invite you. Youre not alone?” Hed only just noticed the other woman.
“This is Mary Archibald. Colin Peterson,” Margaret introduced them.
“Let me know if you need anything.”
“Nothing yet. Thank you.”
A week passed. The cottage grew clean and cosy.
“Margaret, you know I was a village girl too. Married a city man. He died when Dennis was twenty-three. I sold the flatmy son swore Id always live with him. And look how it ended.”
“Dont weep. I know its hard. Im heartsick too. But grandchildren may yet come.”
“From that creature? Heaven forbid. Colindoes he live alone?”
“Aye. His wife drowned saving a neighbours child. Long ago. Never remarried. No children. Lives quietly. Was great friends with my granddad, though younger. Near your age, Id say.”
A month slipped by. No word from Dennisnot even to his mother. Then one day, an unknown number called Margaret.
“Margaret?”
“Yes?”
“Your husbands dead.”
“Youve the wrong person.”
“No mistake. Dennis He was drunk. Crashed his car. May be hard to hear, but he had the girl with him. She livedthrown clear, not a scratch. Come identify him.”
Oh, poor Mary Archibald. How to tell her? Uncle Colinhed help.
“Margaret, whats happened? Youre white as a sheet!”
“Sit down, Mother. Dennis is gone.”
“Oh!” Mary Archibald wailed. “Its my fault! I left him!”
“Mother, he cast you out!”
“He did. But Im his mother. Oh Judgment caught him.”
“I must go identify him. Uncle Colin will stay with you.”
“Im coming.”
“So am I,” said Colin. “Well take my car. No arguments.”
The funeral passed. Margaret and Mary Archibald went to Denniss housenow rightfully theirs, as mother and wife. Hed never filed for divorce, too busy with his new love, his revels, his feasts.
Colin stayed close.
“Youre women alone. Might need help.”
The house How changed in a month! Dirty clothes strewn about, dishes on the floor. The stink of liquor and rot.
“My son did this! He was never like this before. Whats become of him?”
“What are you doing here? This is my homeget out!” The creature with the lashes emerged from the bedroom, followed by a half-dressed, scruffy man.
“Show me the deeds!” Colin cut in.
“What deeds? My husbands dead! We even had our wedding!”
“He was never divorced from her!”
“We celebrated early! So its all mine now!”
“Enough drunken nonsense! Out! Anyone else here?”
The man slunk away. Colin made sure the girl took nothing.
“Now, the papers. Could be a willor someone else owns it already. Expect anything. And change the locks. That long-legged fool might have keys.”
The papers were in order. Locks replaced.
Much had to be thrown out. Colin stayed with Margaret and Mary throughout.
“Sorry to see you go back. Grown fond of you.”
“Well visit. And you must come to us.”
“Youve made me feel young again. Mary reminds me of my late wife.”
“Ive noticed how you look at her, Uncle Colin. And she at you. Ohare you in love?”
“Now then,” the man flushed.
“Its true, isnt it?”
Within a year, Colin and Mary married. They were happywith each other, with Margaret, who was like a daughter. But their family grew.
Margaret became a mother after all. She never remarried, but took in two foster childrena brother and sister who couldnt be parted. Shed wanted one, but got two.
Family isnt always bornsometimes its found. And sometimes, lifes hardest turns lead you right to it.
