Aiden, I need your help with Mums birthday present.
Megan set her phone aside and turned to her husband, who was sprawled on the sofa, flicking through TV channels without much interest.
What present now? he grunted.
A cooker. A proper, good one. It’s her birthday in two weeksdont tell me youve forgotten?
At last, Aiden tore his eyes from the telly and gave Megan a look that flickered with annoyance, though he masked it with his usual polite smile.
Whats wrong with the old one? It looks alright to me, he offered.
Megan perched on the arm of the sofa, absent-mindedly smoothing a crease in her house dress.
You saw it yourself last time, Aiden. The oven barely heats up, two rings dont work, and Mums always moaning her cakes arent the same anymore. You know how much her baking means to her.
…Margaret Dawson loved nothing more than pottering about with flour and yeast. Her kitchen always smelled of vanilla and cinnamon, with fresh buns cooling on the windowsill, and neighbours dropping in for a cuppa, knowing theyd never leave hungry. But her ancient cooker, bought back in the seventies, had wheezed its last for months now.
Alright, Aiden said, stretching and sitting up. So, what do I have to do?
Pick a decent model. You know more about these things than I do. Head to Currys or John Lewis, have a look, sort out delivery. I barely have time these days with work.
Megan reached into her bag and handed Aiden her card, navy blue plastic catching the lamplight.
My bonus is on there, just over £600. Is that enough for a good cooker?
Aiden took the card, turning it over in his fingers. His lips twitched ever so slightly.
More than enough. Dont worryIll handle it.
Megan nodded; after five years of marriage, shed become used to handing over domestic matters to Aiden. He loved a bargain, could haggle for discounts and score freebies with the best of them.
Just dont leave it too late, okay? Make sure its here for Mums birthday.
Will do, he said offhandedly, then tucked the card deep into his lounge trousers and reached for the remote again.
A week drifted past. On the packed bus heading home from work, Megan remembered to check her account balance. Her thumbs danced across the screen, opening her mobile banking app.
Outgoing: £600…
Megan grinned as she saw the amount. Aiden hadnt let her down. Six hundred quid was a substantial spendhe must have picked something special, maybe with a grill, timer, and one of those fancy sliding doors Mum had always wanted. Margaret would finally be able to bake her legendary Victoria sponges without worrying the oven would cut out halfway.
Megan pictured her mothers face as she opened the present. Her eyes crinkling with joy, lips trembling with excitement, andinevitablyher classic line: Oh, you shouldnt have, love! before immediately listing which cake shed bake first.
Good appliances were an investment for years to come. Megan remembered her gran talking about her old Hotpoint which had lasted thirty years without so much as a hiccup. Modern versions werent quite the same, but if you didnt scrimp on quality, they held up well.
…This year, Mums birthday landed on a Saturday. Megan rushed about in the morning, gathering flowers and wrapping up little extras shed bought to go with the main gift. Aiden drifted idly through the flat, glancing at his watch every so often.
Dont forget the envelope, Megan reminded him as she slipped on her boots. You put the paperwork for the cooker in there, right?
Its all sorted, Aiden said, patting his jacket pocket.
They arrived at Margarets flat by midday. The familiar scent of fresh baking filled the aireven with her temperamental cooker, Mum had pulled off something delicious. Family were packed into the hallway, glasses tinkled, laughter echoed from the sitting room.
Megan hugged her mother tight.
Happy birthday, Mum. This is for you.
She handed over an ivory envelope shed collected from Aiden on their way over, not bothering to peek insideshe trusted her husband had handled everything.
Margarets face was radiant.
Oh, love, youre too kind! She neatly slid her nail under the envelope flap; her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Megan watched fondly. A beat. Another.
Suddenly, Margarets face fell. Her smile slid away, replaced by bewilderment.
Whats this?
Megan frowned and leaned closer, peeking over her mums shoulder.
A voucher for a beauty shop. £30.
Thirty.
Aiden, Megan spun round just as her husband began sidling towards the doorway. Whats this?
Oh, come on, Aiden shrugged, not meeting her gaze. Its a decent voucher. Theyve got top-notch stuff there
And the cooker?!
He didnt answer, ducking out to the balcony, sliding the door closed behind him.
Megan followed, flinging the door open so it rattled in its frame.
Explain yourself. Now.
Aiden pressed his back against the railings.
Look, Emmas been run into the ground at her jobshe really needed a break I just couldnt”
What break? Which Emma? Megan stepped closer, her eyes ablaze. I gave you money for my mums cooker!
A deal came up, you know? £570, all-inclusive, Mallorcalast-minute deal. Itd have gone if Id waited, you must understand
Before he could pull away, Megan snatched his phone from his pocket, fingers flying as she pulled up the message threada chat with the travel agent: dates, prices, gushing messages from Emma full of heart emojis.
Best brother ever! Thank youflying out Friday!
Megan stared at her husband, who shrank as though hoping to disappear into the tiles.
She dialled the agency. The line rang twice.
Hello, Horizon Travel, Claire speaking, how can I help?
Hi there. I need to cancel a bookingEmma Dawson, Mallorca, flying Friday. Paid from my card without my consent.
Im sorry, maam, but
Im the cardholder. Payment was made without my authorisation.
Aiden rushed forward, but Megan held out a hand to halt him.
One moment, Claires tone became businesslike. Yes, I can see the booking. If you come by the office tomorrow, well sort everything, and your refund will be processed within ten working days.
Thank you. Ill call in tomorrow.
Megan hung up and tossed his phone at Aiden.
Megs, dont be like this. Can we just talk
But she was already striding awaythrough the sitting room where anxious relatives feigned interest in the salads, straight to her mother, who was clutching the unfortunate voucher like it might bite.
Mum, lets go. Time to get you a proper present.
Margaret didnt protest. She grabbed her coat and handbag and followed Megan out, guests forgotten.
The electrical shop smelled of plastic and shiny new parts. The assistanta cheery lad named Jamiepatiently explained the differences between models.
This one’s the best, Jamie said, gesturing to a sleek white cooker. Perfect for baking. Even heating, built-in grill, convection, and a timer to boot.
Margaret stroked the smooth surface.
Shes a beauty, she whispered.
Well take it, Megan nodded. Can you deliver tomorrow?
Morning slots free, nine to twelve.
The paperwork took less than fifteen minutes. Margaret was silent all the way home, until, at the front door, she touched Megans arm.
Thank you, sweetheart, but I do worry about you.
Dont. Not tonight, Mum.
But Aiden Are you two?
Megan hugged her mum tight.
Ill sort it. Forget it, today is for you. Happy birthday, Mum.
She got home after dark. Aiden sat in the gloom, telly off.
We need a chat, he said, standing up as she entered.
Megan ignored him. She opened the wardrobe, methodically folded his shirts into a suitcaseneat stacks, everything in its place.
What are you doing? Aiden jumped up. Megs, this is mad! I only wanted to help my sistershes been working herself to death! It was her only chance to get away!
Jeans, t-shirts, socks. Megan cleared the shelves without a word.
Youre tearing our family apart over a bloody cooker! And youll be the reasonits all on you!
She stopped, turned slowly.
I trusted you with money I earned. Asked you to get a gift for my mum. You blew it all on your sister.
Well, blew itthats a bit harsh
You didnt even ask! You just did it. And you lied.
Aiden stepped forward, arms outstretched, but Megan held his jumper in front of her like a shield.
Dont touch me!
Emma was struggling, you mad
Pack your stuff and go.
…A month later, Megan sat in Margarets kitchen. The spotless cooker shone in the corner, the oven working flat out, spreading the scent of vanilla sponge through the flat.
Youll never guessI’ve signed up for patisserie classes! Margaret was glowing. Nina next door told me about it, a real French chef teaching!
Megan bit into the cakeso light, the cream melting on her tongue.
Its gorgeous, Mum. Absolutely gorgeous.
The divorce papers were sorted quickly, without a fuss. Aiden never understood why his wife couldn’t forgive a little slip-up. Emma went to Mallorcaperhaps using her own savings, or perhaps staying home. Megan no longer cared.
She watched her mum bustling around the new cooker, happy and absorbed. Outside, evening crept in. Ahead awaited a new startone without lies, betrayal, or someone who treated trust and money as disposable.
With a smile, Megan reached for another slice of cake. Why not, indeed?
