Put My Foot Down with My Husband, His Mum, and His Sister
So, wheres my dinner, Emily? Im asking, wheres my food?!
Emily didnt even glance in her husbands direction. She was perched on the edge of the sofa, gently rocking a small bundle in her arms that was making faint grumbling noises.
Sam, shush, she whispered. Shes just dozed off. Ive spent half my day in the GPs, then had to run to the chemist, and after that
I dont care where youve been! her husband cut her off, barging into the room without taking his coat off. I go to work, I keep you and the baby afloat! I get home, I want a hot meal on the table, not your sour face and that endless racket!
Whatve you actually done all day?
Ive looked after your daughter, Emily replied, lifting her gaze to meet his. Shes got another rash on her cheeksdoctors are clueless, so Ive been digging around for creams myself. You ever bother to ask how shes feeling?
Whats there to ask? If shes screaming, shes fine. Youre her mum, you deal with it. Your main job is to make my life comfortable. Isnt that why I got married? What am I supposed to do now, live off frozen pies and never get a wink of sleep?
You got married because it was easy for you, Emily shot back. And I married you because everyone kept saying it was time I settled down. Wellheres that right time!
Sam scowled, marched over to the pram in the corner, and gave the wheel a sharp kick. The pram rolled and banged against the old bureau.
Emilys little girl yelped and started wailing once more.
Make her shut up! Sam roared. Or Ill seriously lose it.
A year back, Emilys life had looked completely different.
Shed been the girl everyone noticed in townimpeccable outfits, razor-sharp wit, endless plans for every weekend. Sam seemed like Prince Charming: good-looking, ambitious, always managing to get his own way.
Theyd had their fiery make-ups and bust-ups, always with an audience. When Sam finally brought her the ring, Emily hesitated, but her parents were insistent.
Emily, love, how long are you going to keep playing the field? her mum would sigh, plonking her a stack of crumpets. Youre twenty-seven. Sams a decent lad from a good familyand youre planning a flat, arent you? What about kids? You ever think wholl look after you later on?
Mum, honestly. What a question. I like working, Ive just landed a new project at the firm.
Works nothing but dust, her dad would grunt from behind The Times. A woman without a familys just a wilting treewont even notice when you dry out.
Sam loves you, and everyones got their quirks. Youll get used to each other.
And so Emily caved in. It was a weakness shed replay in her mind during many sleepless nights.
The wedding was a grand do, the flat came with a hefty mortgage, and the pregnancy blindsided her out of nowhere. Everything happened too fast; she hadnt even found her footing as a wife before she was suddenly growing another life.
Shed dreamt of a boy, picturing Sunday matches and a calm, thoughtful little version of herself. But the scan said girl, and something inside her just snapped.
Labour was a right ordealconstant drip feeds, complications, the endless hospital corridors that stank of bleach and hopelessness. When she was finally sent home, Emily felt like a cracked vasebarely glued back together.
Shed stare at the tiny creature in the cot and feel nothing but bitter frustration. Why is she always screaming? shed ask her mum when she came to stay.
Its just colic, darling. We all put up with it. You just have to bear it. Shes probably hungry.
She wont latch! Everything hurts, Mum!
Then youre not doing it right, love. Youre a mother nowforget the word want, youve only got must left.
Meanwhile, Sam was keen to stay out of it. The first fortnight he put on a bit of a show as a hands-on dad, then quickly gave up. The smell of baby milk got on his nerves, so did the piles of muslins everywhereand most of all, Emily not being his doting little plaything anymore.
***
Mum called, Sam mentioned one night in the kitchen, watching Emily try to stir watery soup with one hand, balancing their grumpy daughter in the other. She says Kates been crying again.
KateSams older sisterhad been married five years with no children yet, and each time she caught a glimpse of Emilys Facebook posts or even heard the word niece, shed get in a state.
So what am I supposed to do? Emily clattered the spoon into the sink. Apologise for having a baby?
You could try being less smug. Mum thinks you show off about being a mum in front of Kate. And she says youre a bad housekeeper too, Emilythe skirting boards are filthy.
Your mum hasnt stepped foot in here for weeks, Sam. Hows she supposed to know that?
She senses it! Sam thundered, slapping the kitchen table. And shes right. Look at yourselfgrubby dressing gown, red eyes. You look like a right mess.
If you ever helpedeven just once at night
I work! he shouted, raising his voice. Got that in your thick head? I bring in the money. You do the resthouse and kid. Oh, and were off to your parents place on Saturday. They reckon the baby needs country air. Mine are coming too.
I dont want to goits freezing up there, theres no proper water to wash her, and your mumll spend all day whispering behind my back with mine.
Dont care what you want. Mum and Dad said were going. Bags packed by eightand no moaning.
***
The visit to her parents house was even worse. Emilys mum and dadchuffed as new grandparentskept grabbing the baby out of her hands.
Emily, youre not holding her right! her mum shouted from the summer house. Support her headmy days, who wraps a baby like that? Give her here.
Just leave me alone, Emily snapped, storming off to the far end of the garden.
Sam made a big show of ignoring both his wife and daughter. He idled around with his father-in-law, talking car repairs, and poured fuel on the fire whenever his mother started picking at Emily.
Oh, Emily, whats that on her cheek? Another rash? Youre not looking after her properly. I bet its something youre eating. If my Katie had a child, shed treat it like gold, shes so careful
Well, perhaps Kate should try having one, then. Whats stopping her? Emily said, icily.
Sams mum, Deborah, clapped her hand dramatically to her chest.
Sam! Did you hear that? Shes making fun of your poor sisters heartache.
Sam jumped up, grabbed Emily by the elbow, and squeezed hard.
Say sorry to Mum. Now.
Let go! Youre hurting me.
I said say sorry! Who do you think you are?
Emilys parents were right there but, instead of backing her up, her dad snapped:
Emily, dont be rude to your mother-in-law. Sams rightshow some respect.
And thats when it struck Emily: she was completely on her own. Everyone was against herthe husband treating her like the housemaid, her parents fussing with status over happiness, a mother-in-law sabotaging the marriage out of envy.
***
The crisis blew up a week after they got back from her parents. The baby had stomach pains, Emily hadnt slept for two nights. When her daughter finally dropped off, Emily slumped on the kitchen floor and shut her eyes.
The front door banged open. Sam, back from work and in a truly foul mood.
Why are there bin bags in the hall? He didnt even bother saying hello.
Emily gave no reply. She didnt have a scrap of energy left to open her mouth.
Im talking to you! He strode through to the kitchen, kicking her leg as he passed. Get up and take them out. Now.
Take them out yourself, she murmured quietly. I cant anymore. My backs killing me, and I just need one hourone hour of sleep. Please, Sam.
Oh, you cant, can you? He grabbed her dressing gown by the collar and yanked her to her feet. The seams ripped.
Look at herprincess is tired. Other women have five kids and run a farm, and youre falling apart.
The baby woke and started howling. Sam, snarling, stormed into her room.
Not again! More bloody screaming! He rushed to the cot and shook it sharply. Shut her up!
The baby screamed even harder, choking in fear. Emily burst in, trying to push Sam away.
Get off her! Leave her alone!
Oh, so shes ruined my life? Sam spun andwithout thinkingstruck Emily across the face. She smacked against the wall, her head cracking against the edge of the wardrobe.
Her vision blurred, but worst was Sam going back to the cot and pinching their baby girls tiny leg, hard.
That screamEmily had never heard a baby make a sound so raw and terrified.
Something snapped inside her. The self-pity, exhaustion, all the numbness vanished.
Only rage was left.
Emily seized a heavy ornamenta ridiculous souvenir from her mother-in-lawand, without a pause, stepped forward.
Do that again, she hissed, raising her hand, touch her again and I swear, Ill smash your head in. Get out.
Sam stared in shock.
Who do you think you are, threatening me? This is my flat!
The flat was bought after we married, Sam. Paid for with my maternity money, your bonuses, and a payoff from my parentsthat cleared the mortgage. Half is mine. But honestly, I dont care. Get out now or Im calling the police and reporting you for domestic abuse. Theres marks on my face from you, and therell be bruises on your own child.
I might not get you thrown in jail, but Ill make sure you spend the rest of your life paying lawyers.
Emily walked out and dialled 999.
***
There was a lengthy investigation. Sam tried to rally his mother and sisterthey bombarded Emily with calls and nasty messages, threatened her, but she wasnt backing down. She just blocked every number.
When her own parents arrived in some misguided attempt to make peace, Emily left the chain on the door.
Either youre on my side, or you forget where I live. Your son-in-law hit your newborn granddaughter. If thats normal in your book, were done.
Her dad fidgeted, her mum burst into tears, but after seeing the deep bruise on their granddaughters little leg, they went silent. Both admittedtheres nothing that excuses being violent with a baby.
Emily didnt just file for divorceshe turned up at Sams office herself. Calmly, quietly, with a folder under her arm. No dramashe just showed the head of security (who happened to be an old mate of her dads) the nanny cam footage Sam himself had bought before the birth. Every moment, clear as dayincluding what happened in the nursery.
Sam was asked to resign on the spot for personal reasons. In their business, reputation was everything. A scandal like that? No thanks.
Sams mum went straight to bed with high blood pressure. Kate, terrified Emily would post the video online where her husbands mates could see, suddenly went completely silent.
***
Emilys life is peaceful now. Sure, moneys tight sometimes, but she manages.
Sam signed his share of the flat over for child supportjust as well for her. Sams family acts like the child doesnt even exist, and her father hasnt seen his daughter since.
And when Sam meets new women, he tells them hes never been married.
