One more thing she realised her mother-in-law wasnt as bad as shed thought all these years.
The morning of the thirtieth of December dawned just as any other over the last twelve years that Emily had been living with Tom. As usual, he was gone at the crack of dawn on one of his hunting excursions and wouldnt return until midday on New Years Eve. Their son was off staying with Emilys mum, leaving her alone yet again.
Shed grown used to it over time. Tom was a die-hard fisherman and hunter, spending every weekend and holiday traipsing about in the countryside, come rain or shine, while she held the fort at home. But today, for some reason, a wave of sadness and loneliness washed over her.
In the past, shed spend such days cleaning, cooking, or keeping busy around the housetheres always something that needs doing. New Years was only tomorrow, which they always celebrated at Toms mothers house for the past twelve years. Nothing ever changed. Still, today, nothing seemed to go right, and she simply wasnt in the mood for any of it.
So when her old friend rang, it was a welcome distraction. Her best mate since school, Claire, always full of energy, recently divorced and forever hosting get-togethers, called.
Alone at home again? Claire didnt even bother with pleasantries, Let me guess, Toms off in a muddy field somewhere? Come over tonight, itll be great fun. Much better than moping about.
Emily didnt promise anything and wasnt planning on going. But as evening set in, the loneliness really sank in, and she found herself focusing on how much it hurt that her husband wasnt there. All these years, her whole world had revolved around home, work, and their son. That was it. They never went outTom got restless as a guest, always thinking about fishing or hunting. And Emily never wanted to go out alone.
Because of this, they never took proper holidays, always spending them at her mums place in the countryside. She appreciated that Tom got on well with her mum, but she longed for the seaside or to travel and see the world.
Later that evening, she thought, Why not pop over? At least I wont be sitting by myself. So she headed out to Claires, where a group of their school friends were having a brilliant time. Emily genuinely enjoyed herself.
Whats more, Ben was thereher first love from school. Before she knew it, the two of them had spent the night together. She wasnt even sure how it happened; she hadnt drunk much, but a flood of nostalgia had swept her up.
By morning, guilt washed over her, leaving her embarrassed and wishing she could erase the whole evening. She practically fled Bens flat.
When she got home, there was a surprise. The first thing she noticed was Toms coat in the hallwayhed come home early.
Fear made her knees weak. If he found out she hadnt been home last night she could already picture the argument, the accusations, the likelihood of him leaving. She knew for sure he wouldnt forgive hershe doubted shed forgive herself, either.
She mentally berated herself: How could she allow a moment of weakness to put everything she loved at risk? She did love Tom, truly. But the ring of the phone jolted her back to reality.
Toms mother was calling. Im not sure whats going on at yours, but Tom called in the night, couldnt get hold of you. I told him you were with Aunt Kate because she was feeling poorly and needed you. So, dont let me down, love
Of all the people, Emily least expected help from her mother-in-law, Margaret. Theyd always had a peculiar relationshipnot exactly hostile, but Margaret had never warmed to her. Margaret never approved of them marrying so young, and in the early years when they all lived under one roof, things had been tense. When Emily and Tom moved into their own place, contact became less frequent, generally limited to family events. But now, Emily was grateful. Whatever came next, at least Tom believed her cover story.
That evening, she and Tom drove over for the traditional New Years meal with his family. In the kitchen, Emily quietly tried to thank Margaret and apologise for dragging her into things, but Margaret waved her off.
Oh, do pull yourself together. Do you honestly think I dont understand what its like to live with a man whos obsessed with his hobbies, to feel invisible sometimes? Im no angel myself she nodded toward her husband, My Petes been running about the woods all his life too. It stings, of course it does. But as long as these things dont become a habityou know what I mean, dear.
Emily did know. And in that moment, she realised shed been wrong about her mother-in-lawMargaret wasnt the villain shed imagined; she saw and understood more than Emily had ever realised.
So, the story had a happy ending after all. And Emily made up her mind: from then on, shed never step foot outside the house on her own without Tom again. She had learned that sometimes the people we misjudge can be our greatest allies, and that its never too late to build bridges within our families.
