I didnt invite anyone over! Emilys voice broke as she spoke. I didnt ask you to come!
Tom was in the kitchen, utterly focused as he whisked together the sauce for the pasta. In one hand he clutched the whisk, in the other an open recipe book. His face was serious, lips pursed in concentration.
The flat was filled with the heavenly scent of garlic, tomatoes, and fresh basil. Candlelight flickered gently, with little white wax candles Emily had dotted around the lounge.
Think Ive cracked it, he said, turning to his wife, who was slicing cheese for the salad. At least it hasnt curdled this time.
Emily smiled, looking at him with real affection. Her chestnut hair was bundled up in a messy bun, and the warm glow from the kitchen light danced in her large hazel eyes.
Youre brilliant, you know that? she said, coming over to hug him around the waist. Smells just like that restaurant in London.
Thats the goal. Just imaginequiet, a bit of music, dinner by candlelight No phone calls, no family visits. Just the two of us.
The plan to spend her birthday quietly had been a shared one. After months of being swamped by family visits and the usual chaos, the idea of a night set aside solely for one another sounded like bliss.
Emily had picked up a bottle of her favourite Malbec, and Tom had taken an afternoon off just to cook for her.
When they finished prepping and brought the nibbles to the lounge, Emily set some soft music playing.
Happy birthday, darling, Tom said, raising his glass. Hope this year brings you nothing but peace and joy.
Thank you, love, Emily replied, clinking her glass against his.
The wine tasted bold and deep. Emily closed her eyes, just breathing in the moment. Shed been dreaming of this evening for weeks.
But right at the peak of that blissful silence, the intercom buzzed shrilly from the hall. Tom frowned.
Who on earth is that? Were not expecting anyone.
Emily shrugged, though a note of dread tensed her shoulders. She felt that cold rush of anxiety crawl up her arms. Tom walked over to the panel.
Hello? he said into the speaker.
A cheerful, far-too-familiar voice rang out for everyone to hear.
Tommy, its us! Open up, weve brought goodies! Just come to say happy birthday to Emily!
Tom went pale. He shot a look at Emily, full of panic.
Mum? he whispered. What are you doing here?
What dyou mean? Come to celebrate your lovely wife! Open up, were freezing out here!
Wordlessly, Tom buzzed them in. The silence that settled in their flat felt oppressive.
Your mum? Now? Emilys voice trembled.
Sorry, II really didnt know She just said shed give you a ring
They barely had time to process what was happening before there was a loud, urgent knock at the doornothing like a guest, more like someone coming home.
Tom took a steadying breath and opened it. On the doorstep stood Margaret Harper, his mother. A stout, short woman with cropped hair and lipstick brighter than her scarf.
She was bundled up in a thick, patterned shawl, clutching a giant, misted Tupperware container.
Finally! Let us in, were freezing like strays out here! she chided, squeezing past Tom and immediately shrugging off her coat.
And then Emily and Tom saw the entourage behind her. Into the flat poured a handful: Uncle Robert, Margarets brothera towering bloke in a tracksuit lugging a crate of juicehis wife, Auntie Linda, wiry and full of beans, holding an enormous cake box like a shield; their twenty-year-old daughter, Sophie, glued to her phone; and two younger kids who raced into the flat shrieking with excitement.
Mum, whats going on here? Tom managed to ask, finding his voice.
Whats the matter? Were family, arent we! Thought wed surprise Emily! All for you, love! She beamed, thrusting the Tupperware at her daughter-in-law. Here, homemade aspic. Tom loves it.
Emily took the heavy container by reflex.
Thank you, Mrs Harper, she managed, politely. But we we werent expecting visitors
Dont be sillywere not visitors, were family! boomed Margaret, heading straight for the lounge. Ooh! Candles! How romantic!
Meanwhile Aunt Linda had plonked the cake down in the middle of the table, shoving aside the vase of flowers and their wineglasses.
Happy birthday, Em! Made the cake myselfblack forest, old family recipe. Do try a slice!
The children skidded around the lounge, playing tag, and one almost sent a floor vase flyingEmily lunged to save it just in time.
Her heart was thudding. Tom snapped back to himself, trying to take charge.
Right, since youre all here come in, make yourselves comfortable. Emily, do you want to set up in the kitchen?
But Margaret quickly overruled him. Kitchen? Oh, nonsense, its lovely in here! Rob, shift the coffee table! Linda, go grab plates. Sophie, get off your phone, help us out!
Sophie shuffled reluctantly to join Linda in the kitchen, not looking up from her screen. Any hint of romantic mood had evaporated.
Ten minutes later, the table was loaded with home-brought classics: aspic, a retro prawn salad, pickled mushrooms, and Lindas black forest cake.
So, birthday girl, tell me, hows work? Margaret planted herself on the sofa, eyes fixed on Emily. Still with that firm? Your boss treating you alright?
All fine, thanks, Emily replied, swirling her fork in her salad.
Well, Sophies still struggling to find something. Studied for years and now nothingmaybe theres a spot at your office? Shes ever so bright.
Emily just nodded meekly. Inside, she felt herself curling inward. Tom sat beside her, visibly worn out and angry.
He tried to keep up with Uncle Robs football chat, but it was clear he wanted to be anywhere else.
Tom kept flicking apologetic glances her way, but he was powerless. After the kidsd had cake, they were back to their games.
The youngest, Ben, spotted Emilys precious collection of crystal figurines on the shelf.
Mummy, looksparkly things! he squealed.
Careful, Ben, those are delicate! Emily shot up but was a second too late.
The boy tugged at the little glass swan. There was a sharp crackthe crystal shattered, scattering across the floor.
The room went dead silent. Even the music had stopped, the only sound now the faint flicker of the candles.
Oh, blooming heck! Aunt Linda exclaimed. Ben, honestly, what did I say! Leave it!
Oh, dont make a fuss, said Margaret, waving her hand. Just a bit of glass. Well pop it in the bin. Its not the end of the worldits not like he did it on purpose.
Emily raised her eyes to her mother-in-law, her voice steady but icy.
That was from my nan, she said calmly. Shes not with us anymore.
Oh, sweetheart, of course, God rest her soul, but you cant hang onto things for ever. Children come first! Put precious things away when familys visiting.
That was the final straw. Emily shot up, her chair scraping harshly.
I didnt invite anyone over! she spat out at last, voice cracking. I didnt ask you to come! Tom and I wanted a quiet evening, just us. Its my birthday, not a big family do!
The lounge fell silent. Even the children went quiet, sensing the tension.
Uncle Rob stared into his plate; Aunt Lindas mouth hung open. Margaret flushed red.
I see, her voice was cold now. We came to celebrate, brought gifts, set the table, and were the outsiders? Im not allowed to visit my own son?
Mum, enough, Tom said, standing up. Hed had enough too. Emilys right. This was our evening to ourselves. You cant just burst in, unannounced, with half of Hampshire in tow.
Burst in? Into my own sons house! After everything Ive done for you, Tom! Now youre married and Im not welcome anymore?
Its not about Emily! Its about respecting our plans, our space!
An loud but pointless argument broke out. Margaret layered on the guilt; Tom tried reaching her. The others sat in uncomfortable silence.
Emily couldnt take it anymore. She turned on her heel and walked quietly out of the lounge.
She could still hear the row behind the closed door, muffled but no less painful.
She lost track of timeten, maybe twenty minutes until things died down. Then came whispered voices, footsteps, and the sound of the front door closing.
The bedroom door inched open. Tom stood in the doorway, looking utterly drained.
Theyve gone, he said quietly. Emily, Im sorry, I shouldve just ignored the intercom
But you didnt, she replied, hollowly. You should have stopped her.
Shes my mum She she meant well.
For who? Emily turned, eyes blazing. For herself? To show what a domestic goddess she is, what a doting mum? She ruined the whole evening, Tom!
What was I supposed to do? Throw them out? Shed have made a scene
And what do you call that just now? She always does this! Always decides for uswhat we eat, where we go, how we live! And you always give in
Emily went to the window. Down at the kerb, she saw Margaret and her family piling into the car.
The crisis felt over, but Emily knew it was only a pause. It would come round again.
I dont know how we go on, Tom, she whispered. I cant live not knowing if your mum is going to show up at any moment with her casseroles and her opinions.
Ill talk to her. Properly. Make her understand it cant go on like this
Youve said that a hundred times. Nothing changes.
The evening theyd hoped for was over before it even began.
Im sorry, Tom said again. Happy birthday, darling.
Emily closed her eyes. She was thirty-three, but she felt more like sixty.
Maybe we shouldtry and enjoy the rest of it? Tom ventured. Theres loads left untouched
I dont have it in me anymore, Emily answered flatly. Im exhausted. I just want to sleep.
She left for the bathroom, wanting to wash the whole evening away and slip into bed, dreaming of a tomorrow where there were no uninvited relatives and no overbearing mother-in-law.
Margaret, after the quarrel, nursed a grudge against her son and his wife. She simply couldnt see how she might have ruined anything for them that night.
