Oh honestly, Mum, are you frying fish again? grumbled Emily as she poked her head into the kitchen.
Yes, but Ive opened the windows and turned on the extractor fan, replied Margaret.
For the last four months, ever since her daughter moved in, Margaret had become highly acquainted with unsolicited feedback.
Youve made the dinner too salty again, or Youve put the laundry in the wrong place, or Mum, your tellys just too loud, honestly.
Margaret found herself tiptoeing around her own house, trying to be as quiet and invisible as possible, lest she irk her daughter or son-in-law.
At first, everything seemed perfectly civilised
After their wedding, Emily and her husband decided to move out and rent their own flat. They would come by for a Sunday roast, and it all made sensethey had busy jobs and their own lives to lead.
Then, one day, Margaret suddenly fell ill. The neighbours called an ambulance, and within minutes, her daughter was at her bedside. When she was discharged from hospital, Emily announced grandly:
Weve got a little surprise for you, Mum! I think youll absolutely love it. Just wait till you see it back at home.
Margaret walked in and immediately tripped over some bags in the hallway.
Weve had a chat and decided well move in with you from now on. Well look after you!
Margaret was flabbergasted, to say the least.
In the beginning, Emily truly did look after her mumcleaning, cooking, ironing shirts. But after two months of playing nurse, she seemed to forget why theyd moved in in the first place.
Margaret was feeling sprightly again, so she started doing everything herself. While the kids were at work, she cooked, tidied up, you name it.
Emily pleaded with her mother to slow down and let her relax for once, but Margaret kept insisting everything was perfectly under control.
Eventually, Emily and her other half realised all the perks of living with Mumno more rent to pay, a perpetually tidy house, and, lets face it, free home-cooked meals every night.
Mum, weve got friends popping by tonight. How about you pop over to Mrs. Wilkinsons for a nice cup of tea? Youll have a lovely time, and well be able to entertain in peace, Emily suggested one evening.
Margaret was hardly keen to go out gallivanting in the dark, especially since Mrs. Wilkinson was tucked up in bed by half-past eight. It was a mild evening, so she decided to just take a stroll around the block and get a bit of fresh air. Time passed, but the gathering at home showed no sign of winding down. Margaret desperately wanted to head to bed, but she stubbornly hung about, waiting for Emily to ring and invite her back in.
Her neighbour, Brian, was out walking his dog, and after half an hour he returned to find Margaret still on the bench.
Everything alright? he asked.
Oh yes. My daughters entertaining friends, and I dont want to get in the way, Margaret replied.
You remember me? Im Brian, I live just below you on the ground floor.
Yes, I remember.
Theyd exchanged the odd nod in the past, but not much more. Brians wife had passed away recently, and his children all lived elsewhere.
Come on, lets have a cup of tea at mine. Its a bit nippy. Ring your daughter and let her know youre with me.
Margaret tried Emilys mobile, but of course, it went straight to voicemail. She was, quite obviously, not in a Mum mood.
Oh, go on then Margaret said with a little laugh.
Over tea, they chatted about this and that. Suddenly, Emily rang.
Mum, where on earth are you? The guests have left ages ago, were about to go to bed and youre still out gallivanting!
Her daughters tone was once again disapproving, and Margaret couldnt quite fathom what shed done wrong this time. Reluctantly, she gathered her things to head home. Brian offered to walk her to her door.
Ive only got two floors to climb, you know, Margaret protested.
Let me. Ill feel better for it, Brian insisted.
From that day on, Margaret started popping round to Brians a lot. Theyd have a cuppa or sometimes whip up dinner together. Occasionally, Brian would cook something from a dog-eared recipe book of his own. On this particular day, it happened to be her son-in-laws birthday and there was a party at her place, so naturally, Margaret found herself at Brians.
Your flat is so peaceful, not like mine at all, she remarked once.
You can stay here forever if you like, Brian suggested, with a look equal parts sincere and hopeful.
Margaret caught his eye and immediately understood he meant it.
Ill think about it, she replied with a twinkle.
Though she already knew her answer.
