Are you a baby factory or something? How many more are you planning to pop out? sneered my husbands mum, her tone sharp as a pin.
Oh, hello to you too, Margaret. No need to be so snippy, please, replied Alice with a calm cordiality. William only said were expecting, and thats got your back up?
Of course it has! After the third grandson, I told you that was quite enough. But you just ignore good advice! I even gave you a whole box of rubbers for Christmas, in the hopes youd finally take precautions, but youre still at it! her mother-in-law protested, voice as sour as a lemon drop.
Alice remembered the odd scene from New Years. Margaret had handed her, with a face as blank as the full moon, a gigantic box of condoms at the eldests birthday party an unsubtle hint it was time to give it a rest.
We hear you, but you can’t argue with nature, Alice answered, the very picture of composure.
Oh, so you think youre a comedian now, do you? Well, you can fend for yourself with all these children of yours Im not lifting another finger! Margaret pressed on.
You havent exactly Alice began, but the call abruptly cut out with a tinny ring.
She tossed her mobile onto the rumpled duvet, a quiet smile playing at her lips as she absently stroked her belly, still flat beneath her hand. Baby number four was on the way, and that, no doubt, was what had rattled Margaret.
Alice could never quite fathom why her mother-in-law carried on so. Margaret never so much as changed a nappy, nor chipped in with a single pound for the children. Shed visit perhaps once a month, bearing gifts only on major holidays, and even then you could usually count the chocolates on one hand. Annoying, certainly, but Alice always held her tongue, never venting her discontent not even to William. The children were clean, cheerful, and well-fed, and Alice figured thats what mattered.
Williams job paid well, and Alice stitched together a small income from her craft business at home. When her little venture started bringing in respectable money, she even hired a childminder to help out, so the kids had someone to play and walk with while she worked.
Their family life was really rather lovely if only Margarets sting could be dulled. She had taken a dislike to Alice from day dot, and each new grandchild seemed to nettle her more.
The third time round, Margaret had pushed for an abortion. Later, she did grow fond of her youngest granddaughter, and things calmed down for a spell. But just as the waters settled, Alice was pregnant again. The fourth child wasnt exactly planned, but life is unpredictable a blessing all the same, and they were certain they could manage.
This happy news, of course, had Margaret fuming. Alice suspected it was less about the children, and more about money. William sent his mother regular bits each month, and Margaret dreaded that, with another mouth to feed, the pocket money might dry up. With their new addition, expenses would rise, and perhaps it would be the end of her weekly handout.
Alice never begrudged William the help he gave his mum not as long as the children had all they needed. There was always enough to go round, and she encouraged Williams generosity. Hed already sorted her mothers dental bills, paid for a seaside holiday, and financed a spruce-up for her flat.
If Alice was right and Margaret fretted over her finances, her worry would only grow as time marched on. Margarets needling and grumbles could drive even the calmest mother-to-be around the bend.
Regardless, none of this would change Alice and Williams minds the decision was made. Baby number four was coming, and that was that. The question lingered, drifting like mist: does a mother-in-law ever truly have the right to tell a couple how many children to have?
