Ended Up As the Maid When Alice announced her plans to remarry, her son Ryan and daughter-in-law Kate were stunned by the news and completely at a loss over how to respond. “Are you sure you’re ready for such a drastic change at your age?” Kate asked, glancing nervously at her husband. “Mum, why such extreme decisions?” Ryan fretted. “I get it—you’ve spent most of your life alone and devoted yourself to raising me, but getting married now is just reckless.” “You’re both young, that’s why you think this way,” Alice replied calmly. “I’m sixty-three, and no one knows how much time I have left. I have every right to spend the rest of my life with someone I love.” “Then at least don’t rush into a registry wedding,” Ryan tried to reason. “You’ve only known Frank for a couple of months and you’re already ready to upend your whole life.” “At our age, we can’t waste time, and there’s nothing left to learn—he’s two years older, lives with his daughter and her family in a three-bedroom flat, has a good pension, and owns a cottage,” Alice reasoned. “And where are you planning to live?” Ryan asked, utterly bewildered. “We all live together, but we simply don’t have space for another person.” “Don’t worry so much, Frank isn’t after our square footage. I’ll be moving in with him,” Alice explained. “His place is spacious, and I’ve already got on well with his daughter. We’re all adults, so there shouldn’t be any drama.” Ryan was anxious, but Kate tried to persuade him to understand and accept his mum’s decision. “Maybe we’re just being selfish?” Kate pondered. “Of course it’s convenient for us that your mum helps out, babysits Keira all the time. But she’s perfectly entitled to her own happiness. If she has the chance, we shouldn’t stand in her way.” “It’s fine if they just live together, but do they really have to get married?” Ryan didn’t get it. “I don’t think I can handle seeing Mum in a white dress and wedding games at her age.” “They’re old school, maybe it just makes them feel more secure,” Kate tried to explain. So Alice did marry Frank, whom she’d met unexpectedly in town, and soon moved into his flat. At first everything went smoothly; the household accepted her, her husband was kind, and Alice truly believed she’d found the happiness she deserved at last. She revelled in each new day. But as their blended family settled in, new dynamics began to emerge. “Would you mind whipping up a roast for supper?” asked Frank’s daughter, Emma. “I’d do it myself, but work’s been crazy and I just don’t have time—you’ve got plenty of free time anyway.” Alice understood the hint and took over cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, and even tending to the cottage. “Now that we’re married, the cottage is both of ours,” Frank said. “Emma and her husband never have time, and their little girl’s still young. We’ll handle everything together.” Alice didn’t complain; she liked being part of a big family built on mutual support. Her first husband had been lazy and sly, then ran off when Ryan turned ten—no word for twenty years. Now everything felt right; she didn’t mind the chores and felt no bitterness from tiredness. “Mum, you’re no gardener! Every cottage visit sends your blood pressure through the roof. Why do you put yourself through it?” Ryan tried to reason. “I enjoy it, and besides, Frank and I will grow plenty of produce for everyone—we’ll share with all of you,” explained Alice. But Ryan remained doubtful; months passed and nobody had invited them over to even meet properly. He and Kate had invited Frank, who always had excuses. Eventually, they stopped trying, accepting that the new family wasn’t interested. Their only wish was for Alice to be happy. For a time, Alice was. She found joy in her busy days, but the tasks kept piling up and began to wear her down. Frank started complaining of back pain and heart trouble whenever they visited the cottage, leaving Alice to do all the heavy lifting. “Borscht again?” Frank’s son-in-law Adam grimaced. “We just had that yesterday—I expected something different tonight.” “I didn’t have time for the shops, and I was re-hanging all the curtains today, got dizzy and had to lie down,” Alice apologised. “I get that, but borscht isn’t my favourite,” Adam pushed his bowl away. “Tomorrow Alice will treat us all to a feast,” Frank quickly chimed in. And sure enough, the next day, Alice was on her feet for hours making dinner—only to see everything devoured in minutes. She’d tidy up again, and the cycle repeated. Meanwhile, Frank’s daughter Emma and son-in-law found fault with every little thing, and Frank always sided with them, leaving Alice blamed for anything wrong. “I’m not a young woman, I get tired, and I don’t understand why I’m the only one doing everything!” Alice finally protested. “You’re my wife, so it’s your job to keep the household running,” Frank insisted. “As your wife, I should have rights, not just obligations!” Alice cried. She’d calm down and carry on, trying to keep the peace for everyone, but one day, she finally snapped. Emma and Adam were going out and wanted Alice to look after their daughter. “Let the little one stay with her granddad or go with you, because I’m seeing my own granddaughter tonight,” Alice said. “Why should we all rearrange our lives for you?” Emma snapped. “You shouldn’t, but I don’t owe you, either—I’ve told you since Tuesday, it’s my granddaughter’s birthday. Not only did everyone ignore it, now you’re trying to tie me down at home,” Alice reminded them. “That’s not right,” Frank turned red with anger. “Emma’s plans shouldn’t fall apart because of your granddaughter’s birthday—she’s only little, she won’t mind if you celebrate tomorrow.” “If it’s fine for me to wait, it’s fine for us to go to my family now—or you stay with your granddaughter until I return!” Alice responded firmly. “I knew nothing good would come of you marrying in,” Emma said spitefully. “You’re a mediocre cook, the cleaning’s never up to scratch, and you only think about yourself.” “After all I’ve done these months, you think that too?” Alice asked Frank. “Tell me straight—did you want a wife or a housemaid to serve everyone’s whims?” “Now you’re making me out to be the villain,” Frank replied, blinking rapidly. “Don’t start a row over nothing.” “I asked a simple question—I deserve a real answer,” Alice pressed. “If you’re going to talk like that, do as you please. But I won’t tolerate that attitude toward household duties in my home,” Frank declared. “In that case, I quit,” Alice said, and packed her things. “Will you take back your wayward granny?” she asked, hauling her suitcase and birthday present. “I got married and came back again. I don’t want to talk about it—just tell me: will you have me?” “Of course!” Ryan and Kate embraced her. “Your room’s waiting, and we’re happy you’re home.” “You’re happy for no reason?” Alice sought reassurance. “Isn’t that why people are glad their family’s home?” Kate smiled. That’s when Alice knew she wasn’t a maid. Yes, she helped with the house and watched her granddaughter, but her son and daughter-in-law never took advantage or exploited her kindness. Here, she was just Mum, Grandma, Mother-in-law—a real part of the family, not the help. Alice filed for divorce and tried not to dwell on what she’d been through.

Became the Maid

So, when Margaret said she was getting married, you shouldve seen the faces of her son, Peter, and his wife, Emily total shock! They just sat there staring, not even sure how to respond.

Are you really sure about making such a big change at your age? Emily asked, darting anxious looks at Peter.

Mum, do you need to rush into all this? Peter fretted. I get that youve been on your own a long time and that you put everything into raising me, but remarrying now just seems…silly.

Youre saying that because youre young, Margaret replied calmly. Im sixty-three and no one knows how much longer we have. I deserve to spend whatever times left with someone I love.

Well, at least dont rush the registry office, Peter pleaded. Youve only known this George a couple of months and youre already turning everything upside down.

At my age, you cant afford to dawdle, Margaret reasoned. Anyway, whats there to know? Hes two years older, lives with his daughter and her family in a three-bedroom flat in Liverpool, gets a decent pension, and has a little place in the country.

And where will you live? Peter asked, baffled. Were already packed in here theres simply no room for another person!

Dont stress yourself, George wont be moving in here. Ill move into his place, Margaret explained. Its spacious, his daughter and I get along, everyones grown up, so theres really no reason for drama.

Peter was uneasy, and Emily tried to make him see his mums side. Maybe were just being selfish? she wondered aloud. Its nice having your mum around, especially with Alice she helps so much. But shes entitled to her own life. If shes got a chance to be happy, who are we to stand in the way?

Its not even that do they really need the wedding fuss? I mean, its a bit much to watch your mum in a white dress, having a reception and party games, Peter sighed.

Well, theyre old-fashioned, maybe the whole thing just feels safer and more proper that way, Emily guessed.

In the end, Margaret did marry George, a bloke shed met by chance out in town, and before you knew it, shed moved into his flat. At first, everything was fine his family accepted her, George was kind, and Margaret truly believed shed finally nabbed some real happiness in her later years. She let herself enjoy each day a little more.

But soon, the reality of living with someone elses family began to show.

Would you mind making a roast for dinner tonight? Georges daughter, Helen, asked one afternoon. I would do it myself but works been hectic, really no time at all, and youve got plenty of free hours.

Margaret got the message and ended up handling all the cooking. That soon included shopping for food, cleaning the flat, washing laundry, and even driving out to the cottage in the countryside.

Now were married, the cottage is kind of our shared project, George told her one weekend. Helen and her husband dont have time, and the granddaughters only little. So well just have to get stuck in together.

Margaret didnt mind; she actually enjoyed being part of such a big, lively family, where everyone supposedly helped out. Her first husband had been lazy and sly and ran off as soon as Peter turned ten she hadnt heard from him in twenty years. But now she thought shed finally done something right, and all that bustling about the house didnt really bother her.

Come on, Mum, you dont exactly have the energy for the cottage gardens, Peter cautioned her on a call. All that travelling cant be easy now, especially with your health.

Its fine, I really like it, Margaret replied cheerily. If George and I grow a good crop, everyone will get plenty well share with you, no worries.

Peter remained doubtful, though, especially as nobody from Georges side had invited him or Emily over, not even for a cup of tea. Theyd invited George round, he always promised hed pop in but never managed it. Eventually Peter and Emily just gave up, realising Margarets new relatives weren’t keen on keeping in touch. All they hoped for was that she was safe and happy.

For a while, she was. The endless chores still felt like fun, but the work just kept piling up. George, on trips to the cottage, always found a reason to clutch his back or moan about his heart. Margaret would get him settled with a cushion for a rest, then shed be out clearing branches and lugging garden waste to the rubbish pit.

Borscht again? complained Richard, Georges son-in-law, wrinkling his nose. Had it yesterday, thought wed get something new tonight.

I didnt have time to cook, and couldnt make it to the shops today, Margaret apologised. I spent the afternoon washing and rehanging all the curtains, got a bit dizzy so I needed to lay down.

Fair enough, but Im not really a fan of borscht, Richard muttered, pushing away his bowl.

Dont worry, tomorrow Maggie will pull out all the stops for us! George chimed in.

And sure enough, Margaret spent the next day in the kitchen the feast vanished in half an hour, then shed clean up, and so it went, every day. Soon Helen and Richard would find fault no matter what, and George started siding with them, making Margaret the scapegoat.

Im not a spring chicken I get tired too, and why am I meant to do everything alone? she finally piped up one day.

Youre my wife, so its your job to keep the house in order, George replied sternly.

If Im your wife, I deserve not just duties but some rights, too! Margaret sobbed.

She calmed down, tried again to keep the peace and look after everyone. But after one too many rows, she snapped and broke down completely. That day, Helen and Richard had plans to visit their friends and wanted leave their little girl with Margaret.

Why dont you leave her with George or take her with you? Im going to see my granddaughter today, Margaret insisted.

Why on earth should we rearrange our lives for you? Helen exploded.

You shouldnt have to, but I dont owe you either, Margaret pointed out. Its my granddaughters birthday, I mentioned that on Tuesday. Nobody cared, but now you want to tie me down too!

Thats not right, honestly, George grumbled. Helens plans are now ruined. Your granddaughters still so young, surely shell survive if you wish her happy birthday tomorrow?

Shell survive if we all go together to my kids place, or if you mind your granddaughter while Im out, Margaret said, not backing down.

I knew this marriage would end badly, Helen snapped. Margarets cooking is mediocre, she cant clean, and all she does is think about herself.

So after all Ive done here these months, you really believe that? Margaret turned to George. Be honest, did you really want a wife, or just a maid to cater to everyones whims?

Thats not fair, youre making me the villain! George blinked rapidly. Dont start trouble out of nowhere.

I just asked a straight question. I deserve an answer, Margaret said firmly.

If thats how you see it, do as you wish. But in my house, shirking your duties isnt acceptable, George declared grandly.

In that case, I quit, Margaret announced, and went to pack her things.

So, will you take back your useless old mum? she asked Peter and Emily, dragging her bag and a birthday present for Alice. Went off and got married, now Im back. I dont want questions, just tell me will you have me?

Of course, Peter and Emily rushed to her side. Your rooms all ready, were glad youre back.

Youre happy just because? Margaret needed to hear it.

Why else would you be glad to have your family home? Emily replied, baffled.

Margaret knew, in that moment, she wasnt anyones servant. Yes, she helped out tidying up, minding Alice but Peter and Emily were never greedy, never tried to take advantage. Here, she was really just mum, grandma, mother-in-law, and most of all, family not the maid. So Margaret moved back for good, started divorce proceedings herself, and decided she was simply done reliving that nightmare.