At exactly 8 oclock, Natalie trudged through the front door of her London flat after a day at the private hospital. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever disaster the evening might bring. No sooner had she turned the key than a wail erupted from somewhere inside.
With a long-suffering sigh, Natalie plodded into the living room, where her daughter Alice and son-in-law George were sprawled on the sofa, glued to the telly, apparently oblivious to the chaos surrounding them.
The place looked like a jumble sale gone wrong. Toys littered the couch, bed, and floor, sweet wrappers, chicken bones, empty Diet Coke bottles and half-eaten apple cores adorned the coffee table. Dirty laundry draped over the armchairs, and, to top it off, a balled-up, used nappy was glowering at her from a dining chair.
The air was hot, thick, and smelled rather like a petting zoo after a wet weekend. Natalie felt her remaining ounce of hope evaporate.
Her one-year-old granddaughter, Poppy, caught sight of Natalie, squealed in delight, and tottered over, arms flung wide.
Natalie hoisted the window open, letting in some crisp London air, then marched towards the kitchen to assess the damage.
The scene awaiting her wouldnt grace the pages of any home magazine. The sink was overflowing with mugs, the tabletop boasted bread crusts and spilled tea, and, underneath, a glitter of broken ceramic testified to her favourite mugs demisethe one her late husband gave her, naturally. On the hob, a frying pan with burnt burgers smoked in protest. The fridge looked so empty, Natalie half-expected to see a mouse dangling from a noose.
Just then Alice bustled in, planting a quick kiss on her mums cheek.
“Hi Mum! Since youre home, George and I are off out. I’ll go get readyfed Poppy an hour ago!”
Natalie looked at her, baffled, Where on earth are you two off to?
Alice rolled her eyes. “Where do you think? Were going to the cinema and then maybe a bite at that café on the high street. Ohcan you spot us some cash? Were a bit short.
Georges voice boomed from the lounge: Mrs. Green, could you make green soup for tomorrow? Saw a bloke devour a bowl on TV and fancy it, I do! And a nice fresh salad would go down a treat. Oh, did you buy coffee? Cant cope without coffee these days!
Natalie looked from daughter to son-in-law, dazed. What about me? Ive worked all day, skipped lunch, and Im utterly exhausted. Why not take Poppy with you?
Alice huffed. Mum, no one brings babies on date night! Honestly, parents need a break, too. George and I have been going through a rough patchGoogle says quality couple time is essential. Besides, you havent seen Poppy all day, and you two absolutely adore each other. Youll be fine, promise! Back before you know it, Mum. Youre a star.
Before Natalie could protest, Alice dashed out. Five minutes later, the happy couple swept out the door, leaving Granny stumped with a toddler and what resembled the aftermath of Glastonbury.
Natalie felt an overwhelming urge to sobnot from sentiment, but pure weariness and resentment. She was nothing but an unpaid staff member, walking cash machine and professional “comfort provider,” and the headache pounding behind her eyes left little doubt.
All she wanted was to flop in bed and close her eyes. But Poppy had other ideas. And so did the flata bomb site in desperate need of tidying. Plus, someone had to cook tea, as Natalie hadnt managed more than a custard cream since breakfast.
She slumped onto a chair and the tears came, not that anyone noticed.
Alice and George had been living with her for years now in her perfectly pleasantand previously peacefultwo-bed in Wimbledon. Before they descended, Natalie enjoyed a quiet, well-ordered existence. The couples previous landlord, for reasons never explained, had ousted them, so her generous offer of a temporary stay turned into an ongoing siege.
Whenever Natalie asked about moving out, there were endless reasons: too expensive, too far from work, too grim. And then George lost his job at a local import companyStitched up by colleagues, Alice said, but George wasnt exactly pounding the pavements to get a new one. Instead, he took up residency in front of the telly, occasionally migrating to the computer.
They all lived on Alices modest salary until, suddenly, surprise! Alice found out she was pregnant. The pregnancy was difficult, required expensive medications and endless private scansall paid by Natalie, who juggled extra shifts as an orthopaedist to keep everyone fed and their bills paid.
Alice and George, lets be honest, never bought groceries. They adored artisan chutneys, fresh fruit, and oat milk. They never chipped in for council tax, let alone household essentials, and didnt know the first thing about budgeting.
Natalies kindness was continuously stretched beyond reasonable limither daughter and son-in-law shamelessly took full advantage, but she was too afraid to say a word for fear Alice would turn her back on her, especially while expecting. Kick out your own daughter and grandchild? Impossible.
So, she soldiered on.
One evening, the doorbell rang. Natalie wiped her eyes and opened the door to her close friend, Helen, whod dropped by unannounced.
Natalie hesitated, mortified by the mess, but what could she do? She let Helen inher loyal friend, who knew exactly how much chaos Alice and George had brought.
Helen didnt waste time with pleasantries. She opened the fridge, whipped out eggs and cream, rescued the frying pan, and started making an omelette.
As Helen cooked, Poppy finally nodded off on Natalies lap. Natalie put her down in her parents room and returned to the kitchen to a waiting meal and Helens kind, knowing eyes.
Go on, tuck in, Helen said quietly, sliding her the plate. Havent seen you eat a decent meal in ages. You look like you could be cast as a Dickensian orphan.
Helen went on, tough but compassionate: You need to take care of yourself. Alice and George are bleeding you dry, and you have to stop it. Please.
But what can I do? Natalie shrugged helplessly. Theyve nowhere to go. Theyve got a little one. How could I?
Helen shook her head. Because you have to. Why should they grow up, find a flat, pay for milk and loo roll, when you do it all for them? Theyre professional freeloaders, Nat, taking you for a ride, and I wont sit by and watch you be their servant. If you cant talk to them, I will.
Deep down, Natalie knew her friend was right. Helen stayed, helped clear the kitchen, brewed some calming tea, and gave Natalie a shoulder rub. She refused to budge, determined to help her friend see this through.
When Alice and George returneddishevelled, grumpy, and only slightly tipsy at elevenNatalie and Helen were in the living room.
Evening, Aunt Helen, Alice greeted, giving her mums friend the cold shouldernever could stand her since childhood.
Evening, Helen replied dryly. Had a lovely night, I trust. Not too early for you, is it? Could have managed a few more hours, surely?
Alice ignored the jibe, “Mum, were off to bed,” she muttered, but Natalie stopped her.
Alice, wait. Both of you, sit downI need a word.
Alice frowned but called George through.
Mrs. Green, is everything alright? George asked, with all the concern of a man missing the football highlights.
No, Natalie replied firmly. You need to find a flat. Im giving you a week to get sortedthen, Im afraid, youll have to move out. Youre a young family, you need to live on your own. This is my final decision.
Alice was appalled. Mum, you cant! Where will we go? Weve got no money, Im on maternity, how will we manage?
Youll figure it out, Natalie muttered. Youre grown adults. If you know how to start a family, you can learn to take care of one. I cant protect you from life foreverwhat would you do if I wasnt here tomorrow? Its time to face the real world.
How could you? Alice snapped. Throw us out with a child? What kind of mother does that? Youre like some evil stepmum, thats what!
Helen cut in, not standing for any more drama. Thats enough, Alice. Dont you dare talk to your mum like that. Take time in your room and think about everything shes just said. I wont tolerate you treating her this way.
George, bristling, turned on Helen. This is all your fault! Filling her head with rubbishyouve no business meddling in our family!
The whole thing could have escalated, but Poppys muffled cries brought the discussion to a merciful halt. Alice and George retreated to tend to her, Helen squeezed Natalies hand in support.
A week later, the couple were gone. Overnight, Natalie transformed into the villainous motherevery nice thing shed ever done for Alice erased in favour of melodrama.
But Natalie knew shed finally done the right thing. She could only hope, one day, her daughter would realise it, too. Sometimes, you really do need tough loveeven for your own kidsif theyre ever to stop sinking and learn to swim. Maybe, Natalie thought, one day theyd both laugh about it, preferably over someone elses burnt burgers.
