Hell be living with us The doorbell rang with a sort of annoyed clang, announcing a visitor. Lucy slipped off her apron, wiped her hands and headed for the door. On the doorstep stood her daughter, handinhand with a lanky young man. Lucy let them in.
Hey, Mum, her daughter planted a quick kiss on Lucys cheek. Meet Vince hes moving in with us.
Nice to meet you, the lad said, trying to sound confident.
And this is my mum, Aunt Lucy, the daughter added.
Lucy Thompson, she corrected her daughter politely.
Love, whats for dinner? Lucy asked.
Pea purée and bangers, her daughter replied.
I dont eat pea purée, Vince muttered, slipping off his shoes and disappearing down the hallway.
Come on, Mum, Vince hates peas, his girlfriend whined, eyes widening dramatically.
Vince flopped onto the sofa, dropping his backpack onto the carpet. Actually, thats my room, Lucy said, gesturing to the doorway.
Vince, follow me, Ill show you where youll be crashing, Ellie shouted.
Im fine staying here, Vince grumbled, climbing off the sofa.
Darling, think of something to feed Vince, Lucy said.
I only have half a packet of bangers left, Lucy shrugged.
Thatll do, just slap some mustard, ketchup and a slice of bread on it, he replied.
Fair enough, Lucy mumbled, heading for the kitchen. Shed spent the last few months turning the flat into a sort of pet shelter, but now she was feeding a human. She ladled out the pea purée, plopped two fried bangers on a plate, nudged a bowl of salad over and dug in.
Mom, why are you eating all by yourself? Ellie called from the kitchen.
Because Ive just got back from work and Im famished, Lucy said, chewing a banger. If anyone wants food, they can serve themselves or make it. And Ive got one question for you why is Vince moving in?
How come? Ellie asked, eyebrows raised.
Because hes my husband, Lucy blurted.
Lucys jaw dropped.
Husband?
Yes, thats it. Youre an adult now, you decide whether to get married. Im already nineteen years old, you know.
You didnt even invite me to the wedding.
There was no wedding, we just signed the papers and thats it. Now were husband and wife, so well live together, Ellie said, eyeing her chewing mother.
Congrats, then. Why no wedding?
If youve got money for a wedding, feel free to hand it over well find something to spend it on.
Got it, Lucy said, still shovelling food into her mouth. Why here, though?
Because theyve got a onebedroom flat and four of us are already living in it.
So renting wasnt an option?
Why would we rent when theres my room available? Ellie asked, surprised.
Right.
So youll get us something to eat?
Ellie, theres a pot of mash on the stove and bangers in the pan. If thats not enough, theres half a packet left in the fridge. Help yourselves.
Mum, youve got a soninlaw now, Ellie pointed out emphatically.
And what? Im supposed to break into a jig for that? Im exhausted after work, no need for any ceremonial dance. Use your own hands and feet, thank you.
Thats why youre still single! Ellie snapped, slamming the door as she retreated to her room.
Lucy finished her dinner, washed the dishes, cleared the table and headed to the bedroom. She changed into workout clothes, grabbed her gym bag and went to the local fitness centre. She was a freespirited woman, spending a few evenings a week at the gym and the pool.
Around ten oclock she trudged back home, hoping for a nice cup of tea. Instead she found the kitchen in total chaos, as if someone had tried to cook and given up. The lid of the pot was missing, the mash had dried and cracked, a packet of bangers lay open on the counter, and a stale loaf of bread sat unwrapped. The frying pan was scorched, its nonstick coating scraped with a fork. The sink was piled with dishes, a sticky sweet puddle glistened on the floor, and the flat reeked of cigarettes.
Well, thats new, Lucy muttered. Ellie never let anything like this happen.
She opened the bedroom door. The young couple were nursing wine and puffing away.
Ellie, clean up the kitchen, will you? You can buy a new pan tomorrow, Lucy said, retreating to her room without even closing the door.
Ellie sprang up and chased after her.
Why should we clean? And how am I supposed to buy a pan? Im a student, I dont work. You dont mind the dishes, do you?
Ellie, remember the house rules: eat clean up, make a mess clean up, break something replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. And yes, the pan isnt cheap, but its now hopelessly ruined.
You dont want us to stay here, Ellie snapped.
Not really, Lucy replied calmly.
She didnt feel like arguing with her daughter, especially since nothing like this had ever happened before.
But I have my share, Ellie insisted.
Nope, the flat is all mine. I paid for it, I bought it. Youre just on the lease. Dont expect me to solve your problems. If you want to live here, follow the rules, Lucy said in an even tone.
Ive lived by your rules all my life. Im married now, so you cant tell me what to do, Ellie shrieked. And youre old, you should just hand over the flat to us.
Ill give you the whole hallway in the block and a seat on the bench outside. Did you even ask me if I was happy? Youre sleeping here alone, or with a husband somewhere else. He wont be moving in, Lucy shot back.
Fine, keep your flat. Vince, were leaving, Ellie shouted, gathering her things.
Five minutes later a wobbling Vince barreled into the bedroom.
Alright, Mum, dont lose your cool and everything will be tiptop, he slurred, swaying from the wine. Ellie and I arent going anywhere tonight. Behave, and maybe well even do a bit of loveydovey later.
What am I, your mum? Lucy snapped. Your mum and dad are still at home, so get a move on and dont forget to bring your newlywedded wife.
Right, Im about to Vince raised his fist and jabbed it into Lucys nose.
Ah, ah, ah, let go of me, you lunatic, she yelled, clutching his fist with manicured fingers, all the strength she could muster.
Mom, what are you doing? Ellie screamed, trying to pull her mother away from the drunken man.
Lucy shoved Ellie aside, kicked Vince in the groin, then elbowed him in the throat.
Ill document the assault, Vince snarled. Ill sue you.
Hold on, Ill call the police so we have proper records, Lucy replied.
The pair fled the tidy twobedroom flat, slamming the door behind them.
Youre not my mother any more, Ellie shouted as she left. Youll never see my grandchildren.
What a tragedy, Lucy quipped dryly. At least Ill have some peace.
She looked at her hands a few nails were broken. All loss is yours, she muttered.
After theyd gone, Lucy cleaned the kitchen, dumped the ruined mash and the hopeless pan, and changed the locks. Three months later, while on her way to work, Ellie appeared, looking gaunt, her cheeks hollow, clearly down on her luck.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
I havent decided yet, Lucy shrugged. What do you fancy?
Chicken and rice, Ellie whispered, licking her lips. And a bit of Olivier salad.
Then well fetch the chicken, Lucy said. You sort out the Olivier yourself.
She didnt ask Ellie any more questions, and Vince never turned up again.
