Now you’ll have your own child, and it’s time for her to go back to the orphanage.
When is my son finally going to have an heir? Margaret Grantham stared irritably across the table at her daughter-in-law.
You know as well as I do that weve been trying for three years now, Alice gave a weary sigh. Every meeting always began with the same question. What was she supposed to do? The doctors insisted there was nothing wrong with either her or James.
Precisely. Youve been married all this time and still no child. The older woman gave a contemptuous little laugh. You mustve had a rather… eventful youth, I imagine.
Margaret, what is that supposed to mean? Alice snapped, not even trying to hide her frustration as she slammed her laptop shut. There would be no more work accomplished today. Have I ever given you reason to speak to me this way? Kindly stop it.
Oh, and what if I dont? Margaret feigned surprise. Will you run to James? Arent you worried hell take my side? I am his mother, after all.
The only answer to this was a door sharply shut with a bang. Of course, Alice didnt intend to say anything to her husbandnot because hed take his mothers side, but because she didnt want to upset him.
*********************************************
Relations between Alice and her mother-in-law had gone sour from their very first meeting. Margaret could find fault with everything about hertoo plain, dressed too simply, not a good enough cook… The list could well stretch on forever. Margaret Grantham had fiercely opposed their marriage, exerting pressure on her son, but it made no difference: James had a remarkably stubborn streak.
They married, and for a while the older woman seemed to calm downhelped enormously by the fact that the newlyweds moved to a flat well away from the family home.
But it didnt even take half a year before Margaret found new grounds for disapproval: the lack of children.
At first, Alice would offer up lighthearted excuses about how they were still young and needed time just for themselves, plus she had her career ambitions to attend to. Each time, Margaret would firmly declare that one must have children as soon as possibleseveral, ideally.
Eventually, Alice surrendered under the force of Margarets demandsonly for things to get even more complicated. For three long years, Alice endured tests, consultations, tabletsnothing helped.
One doctor suggested her trouble might be psychological. Margaret only laughed at the idea, advising her to find a real doctor.
*********************************************
After yet another grinding conversation with her mother-in-law, Alice sat scrolling listlessly through her social media feed in search of distraction. Pictures of laughing children made her heart acheshe wanted a child, not to silence Margaret, but for herself.
She paused at a post written by a woman describing her work at a childrens home. So many little ones in the world with no one at all…
For a moment, Alice wondered: could she ever love a child not her own? She pictured a smiling baby, tiny arms outstretched to her. With new resolve, Alice drew the keyboard closer and set about researching.
Yes, there would be endless paperwork, health assessments, and no shortage of bureaucracy. But her desire to have a child outweighed every anxiety.
Only Jamess agreement remained. She was nervous about his reaction, but to her surprise, he readily agreedinsisting, in fact, that if they were to adopt, they take in a very young child from the babies ward. And so it was decided.
Before long, their little family grew by one: five-month-old Daisy, whose chubby cheeks won their hearts at first sight. Margaret, naturally, protested the loudest, but her opinion was entirely ignored. In fact, James threatened to move to another city if she didnt cease her tantrums. Margaret had no choice but to play pretend and gush over her granddaughter in front of others.
Seven years passed. Daisy finished her first year at school and thrived among friends. She was warm-hearted and diligentAlice was endlessly proud.
That summer, they all went away together to the seaside. Gentle sunshine, warm waves, soft English sand… What else could they want? Especially knowing that Margaret was far away and unable to darken their holiday.
Toward the end of the trip, Alice suddenly felt unwell, but she didnt mention it, not wanting to worry her family. Once home, however, she decided to see her GP straight away.
Despite her efforts, James noticed her discomfort and insisted they head straight home, promising theyd return to the coast at Christmas. Alice consented.
The doctors verdict was entirely unexpected, but filled them with joythey were having a baby! Daisy was the happiest of all, eagerly embracing her new role as big sister.
Margaret only learned of the pregnancy months later, when it became obvious. She seized a moment when Alice was alone in the house and turned up unannounced.
No need to ask why you didnt say anything sooner, Margaret announced at the door, her gaze fixed on Alices bump. Ive another question entirely.
What is it? Alice had a sinking feeling.
When are you sending Daisy back to the childrens home? Margarets voice was utterly serious. Now youre having your own, its time for the foundling to go back.
Alices hands shook. She couldnt believe her ears. How could anyone talk so about a child whod become an inseparable part of their family?
Are you serious?
Of course. Margaret sniffed, eyes hardening. So, when?
Get out. Alice hissed, barely holding herself back. And dont come back.
She thrust the older woman out, slamming the door against her protests, then collapsed, trembling. Should she ring James? He had an important meeting todayshe didnt want to draw him away… But talk they must.
*********************************************
The furious Margaret stormed straight into her sons office, brushing past the secretary without a word.
Your precious Alice just threw me out of her house as if I were some vagrant!
And hello to you, too, James sighed. What on Earth did you say to my remarkably patient wife?
I merely asked when youd be shipping that girl back to the orphanage. Margaret settled herself into a chair, glaring at him. At long last youre having your own child, and hell need your attention and your money.
How can you even think of something so revolting? James snapped the pen in his hand clean in two. Were not sending Daisy anywhere. She is my daughter, whether you like it or not.
Oh, is she really? Shes nothing but an adopted stray, and shes old enough to understand if you just explain it.
If you dare say anything to her he flung the broken pen aside and struck his fist on the desk do you hear me?
And just how do you plan on stopping me? Margaret retorted as she swept towards the door. Theres no place for that girl in our family, and Ill see to it myself.
James stared at the closed door in silence. His secretary peered in, apologising for letting his mother slip in, but he barely heard her. His mind was already racing.
He picked up the phone and made his decision.
*********************************************
Alice walked slowly through the park, smiling as she watched Daisy playing with her baby brother, who was just learning to walk. Daisy took her job as big sister very seriously indeed.
On a nearby bench, two women sat gossiping about their daughters-in-law. Alices thoughts wandered back to Margaret.
After that afternoon, Alice and Margaret had not set eyes on each other again. Within a week, James had moved the whole family hundreds of miles from their original home, knowing it was the only way to protect Daisy from Margarets fury. The old woman was more than capable of telling the whole community that Daisy was adopted.
Now, they lived quietly. They had their lovely daughter, their little boy, and soon another child on the way.
James occasionally spoke to his father, who let him know that Margaret had not changedshed simply redirected her energies to their newly married daughter. James could only pity his sister, though she didnt seem to mind the meddling.
Well, everyone makes their own life. He had made his, and looking at his family now, he was happier than he could have ever dreamed. He wished others the same contentment.
