Your wifes getting far too uppity. You need to teach her how to behave, lectured Mrs. Thompson as she perched with tea in hand.
Lucy, Ive got my housewarming tomorrow! Ive invited so many peopleand you know nothings set up in the new flat yet. Youll help, wont you?
Of course, Mrs. Thompson, Lucy replied, though her weekend plans had looked quite different.
And so it began: canapés for thirty, Caesar salad, platters of cured meats, fruit arrangements, setting up flowers and furniture, transforming the stark living room.
Picture this: Friday night, instead of the candlelit dinner shed hoped for with James, Lucy was hauling groceries round Tesco and Sainsburys. Saturday, up at six, cooking in someone elses kitchen.
James, could you come help set the chairs? Lucy called out, exhausted.
But you always know how to make things look nice! he replied, barely lifting his eyes from his phone.
By three, Mrs. Thompsons flat was unrecognisable. The living room gleamed, flowers in every corner, food laid out with care. Lucy surveyed her work, feeling utterly spent.
The first guests filed in at four sharpMrs. Thompsons colleagues, neighbouring pensioners from her old estate, well-coiffed friends. Hugs abounded, gifts exchanged, compliments flowed.
Lucy sliced lemons in the kitchen, listening distantly.
And wheres your daughter-in-law? one guest asked.
Oh, shes fussing around in the kitchen, Mrs. Thompson waved off dismissively. Lucy! Come say hello!
Lucy stepped out, smiled, greeted everyone as expected.
My, shes dutiful, isnt she? exclaimed a woman in a smart navy suit. A girl who knows her way around a kitchen!
Ive brought her up well, Mrs. Thompson responded with satisfaction. A reliable help, at last.
Then came the kicker: not enough chairs.
Oh, Lucy, you wont be sitting down much, will you? Mrs. Thompson apologised half-heartedly. Best keep the nibbles topped up and pass the plates around.
Lucy nodded. What else was there to do?
She slipped into the role of a waitress, refilling glasses, tidying napkins, moving through the crowd. At the tablelaughter, lively speeches, the warm thrum of shared memory.
Remember back when we worked together a colleague began.
Lucy stood quietly, hearing fragments of lives she didnt belong to.
Lucy, freshen up the fruit, would you? Mrs. Thompson called.
Lucy washed grapes, arranged them. Compliments poured forth: what a marvel, what a treasure!
James picked a wife who knows about housekeeping! crowed the woman in the suit, eyes glittering with approval. Bet the dinners are always ready, house always neat!
LaughterJames himself beamed with pride.
But what was there to be proud of? That hed acquired a housemaid for free?
The evening wore on. Conversation loosened, voices got louder, the wine and beer flowed.
Tell us about how James charmed everyone at uni, Mrs. Thompson! giggled an old friend.
Oh, whats the use remembering? Mrs. Thompson feigned modesty but glowed under their attention. All the girls adored him, he was such a looker at twenty!
Everyone laughed. James flushed but looked contenthe was used to the parade of praise.
Lucy polished glasses at the sideboard, ignored by all, an extra, a silent fixture.
At uni, the girls queued up to date him, Mrs. Thompson continued, triumphant. Dean always joked hed be a heartbreaker. And he was! How many flings before Lucy?
Thats enough, Mum, James murmured.
Oh, come now. Lucy knows she wasnt the first! Mrs. Thompson laughed. A man ought to know something of life before settling down. Otherwise, how can he build a proper family?
The suited lady nodded her agreement:
Exactly, Mrs. Thompson. It helps a wife, knowing her husbands experienced.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson beamed. But Lucys calm. Not one for jealous fits.
All eyes turned to Lucy, awaiting her confirmation of this calm.
She nodded. What else could she do?
And how did you meet James? the neighbour asked.
Lucy opened her mouth, but Mrs. Thompson swept in:
At the bank! Hed just become a manager, she was a consultant. You could see she was serious, responsible.
Responsible. Like a job reference.
I told Jamespay attention to her. Not flighty but homely. Right for marriage!
Imagine being discussed as a product: Right for marriage.
And you didnt go wrong! affirmed the lady in the suit. Look how capable! Ran the housewarming, fed the lot of us.
Absolutely, Mrs. Thompson agreed proudly. Entrusted with family from the word go. Not like the selfish young women these days.
The worst was Jamess silence. He didnt object, didnt say, Mum, thats enough. Just let them pick Lucy apart, as if she were livestock on the block.
Inevitable as it wassoon came the grandchild question.
So, when are you hoping for little ones, Mrs. Thompson? Dreaming of grandbabies, arent you!
Mrs. Thompson sighed dramatically:
Oh, very much dreaming! But young people, always waitingwork, life time slips away!
Lucys cheeks burned. The topic stung; she and James had been trying for nearly two years. Shed visited doctors, taken vitamins. So far, all was fine, but every month brought fresh disappointment.
Thats for them to decide, remarked the neighbour diplomatically.
Certainly, but Ive hinted! Mrs. Thompson pressed on. Time passes, Id love to spoil them, you know.
Lucy tightened her lips. Hinted? She asked every week: Any good news yet? And Lucy always blushed and mumbled apologies.
Perhaps theyre not quite ready, one guest ventured.
Not ready? In our day we just got on with it! Mrs. Thompson snapped. Motherhoods instinctiveno need to overthink.
Lucy moved to the window.
Lucy, darling! Mrs. Thompson called. Dont sulkcome join us, were discussing important things!
Lucy stepped back, standing beside Jamess chair.
See what a willing wife my James has, Mrs. Thompson trumpeted. Say the wordshell do it. None of your modern types with their endless complaints.
And what rights does a wife have? mused the woman in the suit. The main thing is the husbands happinessthe familys prosperity.
Precisely! another guest chipped in. A womans happiness is her home, her children.
Lucy heard the tightening inside her, a coil wound too far. They talked about her, never to her.
Mrs. Thompson, remember Jamess first serious girlfriendwhat was her name, Emily, I think?
Oh, dont remind me! Mrs. Thompson giggled. Pretty, but such a handful. Thank goodness they broke up.
What was wrong with her? guests probed.
Mrs. Thompson surveyed them, relishing the stage:
She always had to have a say! Always contradicted, never compliant. Not a wife, a burden! I told James outright: Think carefully, son. Do you want a troublemaker?
James shifted in his seat but kept quiet.
Right thing to do, the suited lady nodded. A mother knows besther sonll be miserable otherwise.
Lucy, bring more ice please! Mrs. Thompson called.
Lucy nodded, disappearing into the kitchen, staring at the frost as she scooped cubes.
It hit hershe wasnt part of the party, she was the wait staff.
Lucy stood in the kitchen, ice bucket in hand, gazing out into the twilight. Lights twinkled across neighbouring balconies, behind glasspeople living lives of their own.
From the living room came cheerful singing, karaoke and clapping.
Lucy! Mrs. Thompsons voice rang. Wheres that ice? And pop the coffee on, please!
Lucy absently switched on the coffee machine, grabbed the ice, and delivered it.
And heres our hard worker! cheered the suited lady. Lucy, love, you look so serious. Come, have fun with us!
Tired, thats all, Mrs. Thompson waved. Been on her feet all day. But thats as it should bewomen must manage everything. Their lot in life.
Of course! chimed the neighbour. And the man brings home the bacon!
Dont I bring home the bacon too? Lucy asked quietly.
They turned, the room silent.
Sorry dear?
I askeddont I bring home the bacon as well? Lucy said louder.
James frowned.
Lucy, whats this about?
That Auntie Gladys just saidmen earn, men rest. I earn, too. Dont I?
Guests shifted. No one expected this.
Well, you do work, obviously, the suited lady replied, faltering. Butits not quite the same.
How not?
Well she hesitated. Youre a consultant. James manages projects, so theres more responsibility.
I see. So my work doesnt quite count, and housework is mine, too. So I work at the office and at home, James just at the office. But hes entitled to relax.
The room grew uncomfortable.
Lucy, why? James was irritated. What does this have to do with anything?
It does, Lucy set the bucket on the table. I spent two days prepping this party. Shopping, cooking, decorating, and since morning, havent stopped. No seat at the table for me, even.
We didnt mean it! Mrs. Thompson tried, Just miscalculated.
Miscalculated, Lucy nodded. Didnt think of me. Because Im just the help.
Lucy! James snapped. Thats enough!
Enough of what? Honesty?
Lucy, calm down, a guest tried. Its just nerves.
Enough embarrassment! Mrs. Thompson said firmly. No need for a scene.
Oh, but talking of my marriage, of me not having children, of Jamess exesdoing all that in front of everyone, thats fine?
Mrs. Thompson paled.
I didnt mean
You did. Said Emily had a mind of her own, and how lucky you are that James married someone more suitable.
Lucy scanned each face.
Do you know something? Emily was right! I should never have let myself be turned into a free housekeeper!
What are you talking about! James stood abruptly. Not a housekeeper!
Do you know what I wished for tonight? Lucys voice softened. I wanted to hear, Meet my wifeshe works at the bank, shes clever and talented. But instead, it was, Look at her handling the catering, so ideal for family life.
Lucy, please, James began.
Please what? That you sat in silence! When your mum called me convenientyou were silent! When Auntie Gladys pontificated about womens rightsyou said nothing! While my private life was dissectedyou stayed quiet!
Her voice shook. The tears shed fought all evening finally spilled.
Im done being convenient!
Lucy wiped her face.
Im sorry for spoiling your party. But Im finished playing the perfect daughter-in-law.
She walked to the door.
Lucy, wait! James called. Where are you going?
Onto the balcony for air, she replied. Carry on with the festivities. Youll have to get by without the maid now.
The balcony door clicked shut. The music and chatter muffled. Under the night sky, Lucy was herself again.
At last, she cried.
Lucy remained outside for over an hour. First came sobsgrief, humiliation, and relief. Then she dried her cheeks, looked out across Londons scattered lights.
Inside, voices faded as guests departed. Only James and Mrs. Thompson remained.
I dont understand what got into her! Mrs. Thompson fumed. To make such a fussin front of everyone!
Maybe shes not entirely wrong, Mum, James said uncertainly.
Not wrong how?! She yelled at her elders and ruined the party.
Lucy listened, unseen.
She worked hard all day, Mum.
So what? I worked hard in my youth and didnt complain! Thats family, James. A woman ought to know her place.
Lucy half-smiled bitterly. Mrs. Thompson hadnt grasped a thing.
Still
No still! You need a word with her. Set her straight. Shes out of control.
Lucy re-entered. James and Mrs. Thompson stood amongst dirty crockery, startled at her return.
A serious talk is a good idea, Lucy said calmly.
They flinched.
Lucy, darling, Mrs. Thompson soothed. Dont be like this. We didnt mean any harm.
I know, Lucy nodded. Youre simply not used to hearing me speak.
Lets talk it over at home, James pleaded.
No. What began here, ends here.
Lucy sat in a chair once reserved for guests.
James, tomorrow Im going to my parents for a week. I need to think things through.
Think what? James was alarmed.
If I want to stay married in a family that doesnt value me.
Lucy, dont make a drama of it.
It isnt drama, Lucy replied quietly. Its choice. Either things change, or I will.
Mrs. Thompson sniffed:
There you gothe young always with their ultimatums!
James, if you care about us, think hard. Not about ways to teach me a lesson, but about why your wife sobbed on the balcony while your mother basked in congratulations.
A week later, James arrived at Lucys parents home. He sat in their kitchen, twisting his wedding band nervously.
Lucy, come home. Ill make it right.
She looked at him for a long moment.
Alright. Well try.
And she never cried again at a family gathering.
Because she learned to claim her rightto be respected.
