Aiden, I need your help with Mums birthday present.
Margaret put aside her phone and turned to her husband, who was sprawled on the settee, absentmindedly flicking through TV channels with the remote. Aiden barely glanced up, his eyes glued to the screen.
What present now?
A cooker, she replied. A decent, reliable one. Her birthdays in two weeks, have you forgotten?
Aiden finally looked over at her, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes before he covered it with a practiced smile.
Whats wrong with the old one? Seems all right to me.
Margaret perched herself on the arm of the settee, smoothing out the creases in her dressing gown.
You saw it last time. The oven barely heats and half the hobs dont work. Mum keeps complaining her sponge cakes never rise like they used to. Its important to her, you know that.
…Mum, Linda Evans, absolutely loved baking. Her kitchen always smelled of vanilla and nutmeg, fresh scones cooling on the windowsill, and neighbours regularly dropped by for a cuppa, knowing they wouldnt leave empty-handed. That old cooker, bought when Britain still used pounds, shillings and pence, had barely spluttered on for the past few months.
All right, Aiden stretched and sat up straighter. So what do you want me to do?
Pick out a good model, will you? You know far more about these things than I do. Go to the shop, check it yourself and sort out the delivery. Ive got absolutely no time with work at the moment.
She fished a card from her handbag and handed it over, the navy blue plastic glinting under the lamp.
My bonus is on there – just over two thousand pounds. Is that enough for a decent cooker?
Aiden took the card, turning it between his fingers. For a moment, the corners of his mouth twitched.
Plenty. Dont worry, Ill handle it.
Margaret nodded. Five years of marriage and she trusted him with household matters. Aiden was good at sorting things, snatching bargains and securing bonus deals. He had a knack for it.
But sort it out soon, wont you? We need the cooker delivered for Mums birthday party.
Ill see to it, Aiden said, shoving the card casually into his pyjama pocket and reaching for the remote again.
A week passed. Margaret rode home on the bus after work, squashed between schoolboys and shopping bags, when she decided to check her balance through her app. Her fingers tapped across the screen, opening her bank application.
Transaction: £2,000
Margaret smiled at the numbers. Good old Aiden hadnt let her down. £2,000 was serious money. Surely he chose something decent – maybe with a grill, a timer and a sliding oven door, just like Mum had always wanted. Linda Evans would finally have the perfect oven for her signature lemon drizzle cakes, without fearing it would fail halfway through.
She pictured her mums face when she saw the gift: eyes crinkling at the corners from joy, lips trembling, and then Linda would say her classic, Oh, you shouldnt have, love! Immediately followed by plans for the first cake shed bake.
A good appliance lasted years. Margaret remembered her gran boasting about her old Creda, which ran for thirty years without a hiccup. Modern models were different, of course, but if you didnt skimp on quality, they could last just as long.
…Her birthday landed on a Saturday. Margaret fussed all morning, wrapping flowers and stuffing presents into gift bags alongside the main event. Aiden drifted around the flat, glancing at his watch every so often.
Dont forget the envelope, Margaret reminded him as she zipped up her boots. You did put all the cooker paperwork in there?
Its all there, Aiden patted the inside pocket of his blazer.
They arrived at Linda Evans just after midday. Her flat was filled with the aroma of fresh baking even with the temperamental cooker, Mum had managed something delicious. The hall was crowded with relatives, glasses clinking, laughter echoing from the sitting room.
Margaret hugged her mum tightly.
Happy birthday Mum! This is for you.
She handed over a thick cream envelope, taken from Aiden on their way. She hadn’t peeked insideall sorted, as always.
Linda Evans beamed.
Oh, darling, you spoil me! She gently lifted the flap with her thumbnail, anticipation glittering in her eyes.
Margaret watched her, smile warming her cheeks. A moment, anotherand suddenly Lindas face froze. The grin slid away, replaced by confusion.
This what is it?
Margaret frowned, bent closer. She glanced over her mums shoulder.
A voucher for a beauty shop. Value: £100.
One hundred. Pounds.
Aiden, Margaret turned to her husband, who was silently edging toward the lounge door. Whats this?
Oh, come off it, Aiden smirked, avoiding her gaze. Its a great voucher! Theyve got proper fancy creams there
And the cooker?!
He didnt reply. He just slipped away toward the balcony, closing the door behind him.
Margaret followed, tugging the balcony door open with a clatter.
Explain. Now!
Aiden stood pressed against the railings.
Look, Helens absolutely shattered at work, she needed a break… Honestly, I
What break? What Helen? Margaret stepped closer, her eyes blazing. I gave you money for my mums cooker!
There was this last-minute package deal, you see? Just £1,900, Spain, all-inclusive. It was going to expire, you know how it goes.
Margaret snatched his phone from his pocket before he could react. Fingers tapped, opening his messages. There it waschats with the travel agent, dates, prices, excited emojis from Helen with hearts.
Brother, youre a star! Thanks! Flying out Friday!
Margaret looked up at her husband. He hunched like he wished the concrete balcony would swallow him up.
She silently dialled the travel agency. Ring, ring.
Good afternoon, Horizon Travel, Lucy speaking. How can I help?
Id like to cancel a booking for Helen Carter, Spain, flying Friday. I paid with my card without my authorisation.
Im sorry, and you are?
Im the card owner. The transaction was made without my permission.
Aiden lunged forward, but Margaret stiff-armed him back with a single gesture.
One moment, the operators tone grew formal. Yes, Ive found the reservation. In this case, youll need to come into our office so we can resolve the issue. The refund will be processed within ten working days.
Thank you, Ill come tomorrow.
Margaret hung up and chucked the phone to her husband.
Marg, come on. Please, lets talk
But she was already gonestriding through the sitting room, past relatives pretending to be interested in their salads. She found her mother, clutching the voucher in confusion.
Mum, lets go. Well get you a proper present.
Linda Evans didnt argue. She threw on her coat, grabbed her handbag, and followed Margaret out, forgetting the guests.
The domestic appliance shop smelled of new plastic and metal. The sales assistantyoung, badge reading Danielpatiently explained the differences between models.
This ones the best, Daniel pointed out a sleek white cooker. Ideal for baking. Even heat distribution, timer, built-in grill and convection.
Linda Evans stroked the shiny surface.
Isnt she beautiful, she murmured.
Well take it, Margaret decided. Any chance you can deliver tomorrow morning?
Weve got an early slot available, between nine and noon.
It took just fifteen minutes to arrange. Linda Evans was silent all the way home, until outside the flat she touched Margarets arm.
Thank you, sweetheart. But Im worried about you.
Dont be, Mum.
But Aiden You two
Margaret hugged her tightly.
Ill deal with it. Lets celebrate your birthday.
She returned home after dark. Aiden sat hunched on the sofa, the TV off.
We need to talk, he said, standing to meet her.
Margaret ignored him. She opened the wardrobe, pulled out his shirts, folded them methodically into a travel bag.
What are you doing? Aiden protested. Marg, stop! I was just trying to help my sister. Shes up to her neck in work, this was her only chance for a break!
Jeans, t-shirts, socks. Margaret emptied shelves with deliberate calm.
Youre wrecking our family over a cooker! You can only blame yourself!
She stopped, turned slowly to face him.
I trusted you with money Id earned. Asked you to buy a gift for my mum. You spent it all on your sister!
Well, spent it all is a bit harsh
You didnt even ask! You just decided for me! And lied about it!
Aiden tried to come closer, reaching out for a hug. Margaret stepped back, holding out his jumper as a shield.
Dont touch me!
Helen was really struggling, cant you understand?
Take your things and leave.
…A month later, Margaret was relaxing in Linda Evans kitchen. The gleaming cooker stood proud in the corner, the oven humming away and filling the air with the scent of Victoria sponge.
ImagineI’m taking baking classes next week! Linda Evans face shone with delight. My neighbour Nina recommended them, apparently theres a real French pastry chef!
Margaret helped herself to a slice of cake. The creamy filling melted on her tongue.
Thats delicious, Mum. Honestly, heavenly.
…The divorce went through quickly, without much fuss. Aiden never understood why his wife couldnt forgive a little slip-up. Helen went on holiday on her own savingsor perhaps she never went at all; Margaret couldnt care less.
She watched her mum bustling happily around the new cooker as dusk gathered outside. A new life waiteda life with no lies, no betrayals, no one who saw her trust and her earnings as theirs to spend.
Margaret smiled and reached for a second piece of cake. After all, why not?
