Oh, that grandma getting married, upsetting all the children!
Every weekend, Alice, as usual, popped over to see her mum. Mum is seventy-eight and has been living alone for ages. In two days, Alice managed to scrub the house from top to bottom and do all the laundry. No washing machine in sight, nor running water for that matter. In the summer, there was the garden too.
Why not move in with me? Itd be easier no rest for you, poor thing, Mum would sigh.
Mum, Ive got my job there, my daughter, my granddaughters, Alice replied, half-exasperated.
Steves back. Took the boards off the windows at his house, he did. The place had been empty five years since Vicky died. Said hes been wandering the world, but wants to see out his days here. Asked about you I expect hell come round, Mum announced.
Steve Stevie hed been Alices first crush back at school. She adored him, but he hardly noticed her. Once, in their final year, Alice tried something daring she dropped a bucket into the well and rushed to Stevie, begging him to fish it out or Mum would have her hide.
Stevie grabbed a pole and went to work. Took him half an hour, but he got the bucket out.
Think the old superstition will work? he chuckled as he left.
To rescue a bucket for a girl means youll marry her, the local girls used to say.
Stevie was right the superstition didnt pan out. He moved to the city, did university, lived everywhere, practically toured the country, got married and divorced and now hes back.
Alice did her own studies, went to the local college nearby after school, landed a job as an accountant, and stuck with it. She married, had her only daughter, Victoria. Eight years ago, Alice became a widow.
Steve turned up one evening. Changed, of course older, and hair gone silver.
And youre still a stunner, he said, hugging Alice.
Oh, youve learned to lie! Im well over fifty now, same as you. Changed and aged, just like everyone else, Alice shot back.
They sat in the gazebo, sipped a bit of homemade sloe gin to toast their reunion, and chatted endlessly.
Steve explained he parted ways with both his wives on good terms, didnt hurt a single one of them. Left each with a flat and all their shared belongings. Hes got an adult son from his first wife settled in Germany with his mum, who was of German descent, sent to the north during the war.
The second wife filed for divorce herself fell in love with someone younger. Steve didn’t try to keep her. No kids there.
Steve was already retired, thanks to his years working tough jobs up north. He planned to set up a team of local blokes to build houses, sheds, and do repairs. There was demand, and he had some savings to start.
He stopped himself, But enough about me, how are you? Heard you were alone, he probed.
Alice, a bit surprised, poured it all out. Perhaps it was just time, or maybe the sloe gin did its job.
No, not alone, Steve. My familys huge. In fact, Im practically the housemaid, Alice began.
My daughter didnt fancy university after school went and got herself married straight away. Brought her husband to live with us. The flat’s got three bedrooms, so room enough for all. Then came my granddaughter, Daisy.
It just happened that all the chores found their way to me. My daughters depressed, the baby needs her. My husband a golden soul always helped, never complained about his health. One morning, he simply didnt wake up. An awful shock, but no time for grief.
I worked, kept the house afloat. Expenses went up. Son-in-law earns peanuts. All my income just rolls into our communal pot. I had hopes: Daisy would grow enough to go to nursery, daughter would return to work, things might ease up but no. When Daisy was four, my daughter had another little Maisie.
Now, Daisys at school, Maisies five. Daughters still not working. Mornings, I feed son-in-law and the kids, pack Daisy off to school. Maisie stays with her mum, or rather, just plays quietly or watches cartoons while mum sleeps till lunchtime.
I walk Daisy to school, then head to work myself. Evenings, I cook for the next day, help with homework, do the washing, tidy up.
I tried gently hinting to my daughter that maybe she could start pitching in Im not exactly young. No point. Shes exhausted from looking after the children.
Son-in-laws perfectly content mother-in-law works, keeps the budget sorted, and he doesnt need to lift a finger. Plus, we get vegetables from the village.
Hed help with gardening, but theres a catch: no car. Of course, hes hinting I should fork out for one. They know Ive got a nest egg stashed away. I worry about giving away my last penny and ending up broke. Anyway, what I saved isnt enough for a car.
Im worn out. Know its my own fault, raised a lazy, cheeky daughter. I see the whole mess but Ive absolutely no idea how to break free
Steve sighed, Quite a tale dont fret, Alice. Well sort something out. Lets get you home, its dawning already, he bade and left.
On Sunday evening, he brought her to town in his own car. Alice was delighted so much food theyd managed to lug from the village! Steve helped carry the sacks and bags upstairs.
When he left, her daughter asked, Where did you pick up that old chap?
Alice explained he was an old classmate, and started sorting the veg.
Two weeks later, the old classmate showed up at lunchtime and began moving out things Alice had already packed. Her son-in-law and daughter, sleepily emerged.
Whats going on? What’s all this? they asked together.
Im leaving. Getting married. Moving back to my village Ill see out my days with Steve, Alice replied.
Oh, youve completely lost your marbles in old age! Getting married? Bride with no address! Anyway did you cook lunch? Your granddaughters will be starving soon! her daughter spluttered.
Youll sort meals for your girls yourself, and for your husband, too. For ten years, I lived for you lot. Now Id like a bit of life for me. Time for you to do some of the graft, dear daughter, Alice said.
Traitor! I forbid you to see my girls! Victoria shrieked.
I wasnt really planning to, not for now. Ill be busy. Besides, Ive seen them far more than you ever have, said Alice, and walked out.
In Steves car, she cried, of course.
Really, I should have warned them before leaving, she sniffled to Steve.
Youd have heard the same stuff, just longer and louder. Theyd have said worse. When you cut ties, you have to do it quickly theyre far too attached, nothing else works, Steve shrugged.
Alice settled herself in Steves home. He built a nice, warm loo indoors for her and fitted a shower. True, water had to be carted in and tipped into a big tank, and the septic tank emptied twice a month, but those were the little details.
Alice landed a job at the village school as caretaker. Pay was less, but peace is priceless. Steve and his crew were busy with construction plenty of work all year round. Life was easy, harmonious they were happy.
A month later, her son-in-law brought the girls down for the weekend. Daisy whispered to grandma that mum and dad argued all the time. Dad makes soup, but that’s about all he can do. Mum was planning to get a job, but wasnt sure where yet.
On Sunday, son-in-law wanted to leave Maisie with Alice for a spell, but Alice refused Im working, sos Steve. Kids should live with their parents. A visit is fine, but you lot parent your own children. You had them for yourselves, not for me.
Son-in-law and daughter were miffed. But next week, the granddaughters were back with Grandma.
Just for the weekend, son-in-law insisted, and even stayed for the visit pining for Alices cooking.
Such is life.
Some might say Alice was cruel to her daughter. Others will think she was right.
As many people as there are, thats how many opinions youll find.
