The Swallows Nest
When James Whitaker marries Eleanor Blake, his motherinlaw instantly clicks with the new bride. Shes liked the girl for years, ever since James was a schoolboy and used to run to the village hall for dances with her.
James, youre staring at yourself in the mirror like a lovestruck lad, his mother jokes. Give us a glimpse of the bride, will you?
Im in love, Mum. Youll see everything soon enough, James grins and dashes off.
Wouldnt it be grand if our son had a girl like Eleanor? his father says over dinner.
What do you mean, Eleanor? his mother asks.
Shes the granddaughter of old Mr. Fletcher, raised by him alone. She isnt pampered, shes polite and cheerful, and shes a beauty.
The mother cant wait to learn who the girl shes hoping to call a daughterinlaw is. When James arrives with Eleanor for tea, the mother settles into her chair, eyes wide.
Dear, you read my thoughts. Ive wanted Eleanor for you as a wife for ages. Ive been watching her for a long time, she beams, while the young couple exchange amused glances.
The wedding is a modest village affair in a Yorkshire farmyard. It isnt lavish, but the couple marries for love. Eleanor is steady by nature, but determined; when she takes on a task she does it thoughtfully, sensibly, and with care.
Our Eleanor is like a swallowgentle and caring, Jamess mother tells a neighbour, What a fine housewife shell make.
A few months later their son, Michael, is born. Grandparents dote on the little boy, but he is fragile, born a few weeks early. Gradually he grows, becoming calm.
Years pass. Jamess parents die, and two years after that James dies suddenly in the yard while loading hay onto the roof; the heat overwhelms his heart. Eleanor is devastated, but theres little she can do.
Eleanor and Michael are left on their own. Time goes by; Michael matures. They live quietly, their days slow and measured. Every chore is discussed, planned, and then tackled together, each doing what they can. Like most farming families, they keep a cow, a horse, a pig and a few chickens, and they plough and sow. Unlike others, theres no shouting, no blame, no harsh words between mother and son.
If a sudden rain spoils the hay they havent yet covered, Eleanor says, Dont worry, lad, the summers long enough to dry it out, while neighbouring families argue and point fingers, sometimes nearly coming to blows.
Eleanor keeps the house spotless: polished floors, starched curtains, a tidy kitchen. She enjoys cooking, preparing varied meals even if in modest quantities. Michael loves to eat, and Eleanor always asks what hed like for the next day.
Neighbour Annie often drops by, surprised, Eleanor, you live just the two of you and the table looks full of treats.
Come sit down, Eleanor says, Michael loves a good meal, even if hes not big or broadshouldered.
Annie laughs, Well, your son may not have your husbands strength, but hes handsome enough to make anyones heart flutter Hell make a good husband someday.
The village respects Eleanor and Michael, seeing them as sensible, tidy, friendly and without envy. Michael eventually chooses his own wife. Typically, shorter lads prefer taller ladies.
He falls for Brianna, a longlegged, sturdy girl who towers over him, not a classic beauty but full of fire. Shes quickwitted, outspoken, combative and a bit rough around the edges.
What on earth made Brianna appeal to my Michael? Eleanor wonders, Theyre so different; you cant change a man, and you cant tame her either.
Eleanor accepts it. She knows theyll share a roof, and shell try to endure. If her son is happy, she is content. Michael, who is a man of few words, tells his mother, Its fine, Mum, the children will grow, and Ill chat with them, teach them right from wrong, while she remains silent.
The wedding goes smoothly, no fights, unlike the usual village brawls. Many villagers, drunk on cider, drift off to sleep wherever they find a spotunder the table, on a bench, even on the porch. By morning, the yard is quiet.
Eleanor steps outside to clear the tables, and Brianna joins her, muttering, We didnt need this wedding; we couldve just signed the papers and been done with it. Now tidy up.
Go to bed, Brianna, if youre tired, Eleanor replies. Ill finish up myself.
Brianna snarls, Ill make sure the whole village knows Im a bad daughterinlaw, sleeping late, not helping.
This is nonsense, dear, Eleanor whispers, Everyone is still asleep.
Youll be the talk of the village, Brianna snaps, I know what kind of mothersinlaw there are.
Eleanor holds her tongue; theres no point arguing. From day one, Brianna shows her temper. After the wedding, she watches how Michael treats his mother, often commenting on his health and plans, sometimes hugging him or planting a kiss on his cheek, thanking him for the food he makes. She sometimes pities him.
What a soft touch, Brianna thinks. Ive never seen a mother behave so dotingly toward her son. Shes a coddler, not a wife who receives that much attention.
When she visits the shop, she tells the other women how Michael adores his mum and never says a harsh word to her.
Grandfather Arthur, sitting nearby, shakes his head, Ah, pity for Eleanor we let a magpie into the swallows nest.
Many sympathise with Eleanor, but none hear her speak ill of her daughterinlaw. Everyone knows Brianna is quarrelsome and difficult, even refusing to speak to her own mother after a falling out.
Eleanor never confronts Michael about his marriage, staying silent, never spreading negativity. Yet Brianna quickly imposes her own rules at home, washing everyones dishes after work, speaking sharply and with envy. Eleanor stays out of their fights, which only fuels Briannas resentment.
After work, Michael returns to a dinner he prepared. Occasionally Eleanor asks, Shall we try a new recipe tomorrow?
Brianna, unaccustomed to kindness at home, snaps, Well eat whatever you throw together, not some royal feast.
Briannas cooking is quick but careless. When she milks the cow, the bucket is always dirty, straw floats in the milk, and she must strain it through a rag. Eleanor always checks the bucket, washes the udder, and only then begins milking. She remains quiet. When Brianna makes soup, she chops potatoes into large chunks and onions coarsely.
Eleanor sometimes catches Michaels eye across the table, noting he prefers his mothers food, but she does nothing.
Theres no outright fighting between Michael and Brianna, yet Eleanor sees that the marriage strains her son. She tries gently to steer them toward better understanding, but after speaking with the village matriarch, she realises that harsh words and scolding are taken for granted.
A year later Brianna gives birth to a boy, Tom. The infant sleeps poorly, Briannas milk runs thin, and the child goes hungry. Brianna ignores Eleanors suggestions to supplement the babys feed.
Eleanor quietly begins to nurse Tom herself; he soon gains weight and sleeps soundly. One evening Brianna discovers this and shouts, Youve almost ruined my sons health by feeding him your own milk! Do you want my baby to be weak too?
Eleanor stays silent but continues her care. Tom thrives, keeping up with his peers, eventually starting school. He shares a tender bond with his grandmother, who gently nurtures his spirit. He does well academically.
Toms father, Michael, also enjoys a warm, affectionate relationship with his son, often hugging and kissing him. Brianna, however, rebukes him, Raise a man, not a dainty little thing, you hear? Hes neither fish nor flesh.
Michael merely shrugs.
Eleanor, Brianna, and Michael never argue openly; even though Brianna is sharptongued, Eleanor treats her with kindness. Brianna mutters insults about Eleanor behind her back, but no one listens. Eleanor finds the strength to keep the family together.
Michael works at a local garage, skilled with engines. Occasionally his colleagues stare, wondering how he endures such a fiery wife, but Michael just rolls his shoulders.
Tom studies well; Eleanor often sits beside him, nodding along when he does his homework, even though she doesnt understand the lessons. As he nears adulthood, he sees his mothers harshness toward his grandmother and father and grows uneasy. He frequently asks his grandmother to cook something tasty. Brianna, irritated, scolds, Youre such a picky eater, just like your father. Eat what I make, its not fit for royalty, and Tom lowers his eyes, remaining quiet.
Tom remembers the evenings when his grandmother waited for him at the doorstep with a steaming mug of milk and a slice of cake. He later learns that Tom has started seeing a girl from the neighbouring lane, Lily, a sweet and pretty lady. She reminds his grandmother of herself at that age.
Lilys a lovely girl, Tom tells his grandmother. Well finish college together and then marry.
God bless you both, Eleanor replies, giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
Living in the city while studying, Tom misses his grandmothers hands and the warm pies. Over holidays he feasts on her love. As exams and his dissertation loom, his grandmother, voice trembling, asks, Will you come back after you finish college?
Ill be back, Tom assures her. I wont stay in the city. Ill return a qualified engineer, Lily too, and well marry. Ill build a new house, and well bring you to live with us. You wont be left alone. Everything will be fine.
Eleanor knows it will be so. With Tom and Lily, life will be calm and happy, and she will finally reap the love she sowed in him long ago.
