Mum, I want you to meet Sophie, my fiancée, declared Arthur as he swept into the hallway, his arm tenderly around a bashful young woman. Weve just filed our application with the registry office today.
Congratulations, replied Rachel, slightly flustered, drying her hands on the tea towel. Shed just finished making dinner. Dont linger in the door, come in.
The situation unsettled Rachel. Arthur was her pride, her very reason for being. Hed always been that polite, dependable son, and yet now he was simply announcing his engagement as fact, offering no warning.
It stung to be the last to know, as if she wouldnt understand a young mans yearning for a family. She would have celebrated with himshe would have lent a hand with the wedding.
Mum, Im sorry I didnt say anything sooner, Arthur said, slipping an awkward hug around her. It all happened so quickly I became completely swept away with Sophie, honestly. Love at first sight.
Youre still a lad, though, arent you? Is twenty-five even grown up? Rachel smiled, masking her hurt as best she could. Lets talk about what comes next. Where do you plan to live?
With us, for now, if thats alright? Arthur exhaled with relief, realising Rachel was more disappointed than cross. Well get a place later on.
Why wouldnt it be alright? Rachel was genuinely surprised by the question. Its a large flat, theres ample room for the lot of us.
Sophie, lingering at the threshold with a polite smile, caught herself and quickly composed her face to something more neutral. First impressions were everythingpleasing her future mother-in-law was the only task on her mind tonight; showing her true colours could wait until after the wedding.
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The wedding was quite the affair. Rachel pulled out all the stops for her darling boy, draining her secret savings and even gifting the newlyweds a seaside holiday. She wanted them to relax properly before reality set in, especially after Sophies announcement: she was expecting.
Rachel wasnt against her sons choice, not truly But something about Sophie set Rachel on edge. The woman seemed too agreeable, always smiling sweetly, never speaking her mind.
Rachels sister, Margaret, only chuckled at her misgivings.
Count yourself lucky! As for her quietnesswait until she gets comfortable. Shell start showing her true self soon enough, Margaret said, suddenly serious. Keep an eye out. You never know. Maybe shes putting on an angel act for Arthur, but she might be trouble after all.
Margarets words proved eerily prescient. Once Sophie got the coveted stamp in her marriage book, everything changed. With Arthur busy long hours at work, Sophie began a campaign to make Rachel as uncomfortable as possible.
She was bold enough to insist point-blank that there was no room for strangers in their home. Rachel nearly missed her chair at the first mentionshe, a stranger? That evening she went to Arthur, quietly pleading with him to have a word with his wife.
Mum, youve just misunderstood, Arthur brushed it off, refusing to believe his wife could say such a thing. Shes lovely, honestly. The kindest soul I know.
Sophie, hearing him parrot her virtues, smirked with satisfaction. Everything was on track.
A couple of days later, Sophie greeted Arthur at the door in tears, her story stuttered out between sobs: Rachel had tried to harm her.
You know I have a dreadful allergy to honey, she wept. I couldnt sleep so I tried to help your mum with breakfast. And I found her in the kitchen, pouring honey into the pancake batter! I was terrified, Arthur.
Arthur lost his temper and stormed to Rachel, shouting that he was an adult now, capable of making his own decisions, demanding she stop interfering with the people he loved most.
Rachel stared at him, pale and confused. Every effort to reason with him only inflamed things further. Her heart aching, her hands trembling, she reached for her pills, but Arthur, wild and shouting, noticed nothing.
She couldnt take it anymore. Grabbing her coat, she stumbled out to her sisters. She couldnt understand what had gone wrong, or why her son had turned so sharply against her.
Just a few steps away from Margarets flat, Rachel felt the world slipping away. Her chest tightened, and she collapsed.
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Two weeks passed after Rachels funeral. Arthur was hollowed out with guilt, drifting through the flat. Sophie tried to console him, pressing glasses of water into his hand.
Darling, I understand youre grieving, but youve got to focus on the living, she murmured, stroking her rounded stomach. Seeing you like this pains me too.
Arthur kept silent, which gnawed at Sophies nerves. The plan had worked, even if she hadnt intended it to go so far. Shed only hoped for a tradeshe and Rachel would swap flats, that was all. But, in truth, this was simpler.
Suddenly, the flat door opened. Margaret stepped inside, letting herself in with her own key.
How dare you come into our home as if it were your own? Sophie spat, staring at her unwelcome visitor.
Because it is my home, Margaret responded coolly. Didnt you know? This flat belongs to me.
The glass slid out of Sophies trembling hand. After all that scheming, to find it was for nothing?
Arthur, whats going on? she demanded urgently.
Its the truth, Arthur muttered, unfeeling. Mum had been saving for years so she could buy the flat from Aunt Margaret
And spent it all on your wedding! Margaret finished for him, arms folded. I was going to sign the flat over to your little one, but never mind now. Youve got three days to pack your things or Ill have the police in.
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P.S.
Arthur stayed in his aunts flat alone. Sophie left that night, her things packed in haste, declaring the baby wasnt his after all.
