And so she finally realised her mother-in-law wasnt nearly as disagreeable as shed always thought.
The morning of the thirtieth of December came no differently than any other in those twelve long yearseach more or less the same since Alice had married Tom. Hed left at dawn for a spot of hunting, as was his custom, and wouldnt return until midday on New Years Eve. Their son was spending the week at Alices mothers cottage in Sussex, and Alice herself was left alone at home once more.
In all that time, Alice had grown used to Toms hobbies. He was an avid angler and huntsman, never missing a weekend or bank holiday, no matter the weather nor the season, while she remained at home, forever waiting. But this morning felt a little differentlonelier, even melancholic, though she couldnt say quite why.
Usually, on days like these, Alice would busy herself with tidying, preparing meals, and tackling every little task around the housethere was always plenty to do. The New Year would arrive the next day as it always did, and the tradition remained unchanged; they would celebrate, as every year, at her mother-in-laws in Winchester. Nothing was new, but today, Alice couldnt seem to muster the energy for anything; everything seemed to slip through her fingers.
So when her phone rang, Alice was grateful for the distraction. Her best friend from school days, Emily, was full of cheer, ever the optimist, and now divorced, liked to host little gatherings at her London flat. And on this occasion, Emily wanted company.
So, home alone again, are you? she declared, not really asking, Toms off in the wilds again, is he? Come round tonight, a good lots coming and theres no sense moping about at home!
Alice hadnt promised anything, nor really intended to go, but as evening descended her loneliness felt heavier somehow. A tide of memories rose and, more than anything, she felt the sting of Toms absence.
Looking back, Alice realised her life for all those years had been home, work, their boythat was all. They hadn’t ventured out together; Tom found social visits tedious, always chasing thoughts of the river and the woods, and Alice hated going anywhere alone. Because of this, they’d never taken a proper holidaysummers passed at Alices mothers in the countryside, which she appreciated in its way: Tom got on famously with his mother-in-law. But Alice longed for the sea, to experience the world beyond.
That night, for the first time in ages, Alice made up her mindwhy ever not spend the evening elsewhere, for once not be alone? And so to Emilys she went, where the flat was alive with laughter and old school friends; Alice found herself genuinely enjoying the company.
Most remarkable, though, was the appearance of George, her first crush from school. One thing led to another, as they talked through the hours and memories flooded back; somehow, before she knew it, Alice had spent the night with George. It wasnt the drinkshed hardly touched her glassbut the nostalgia had swept her away, carried her right off her feet.
Morning brought nothing but embarrassment and regret. She fled Georges flat hastily, desperate to forget the whole muddle, heart pounding.
Upon reaching home, Alice barely crossed the threshold before she noticed Toms coat draped over the banisterhed made it home early! Her legs felt weak with fear. If Tom figured out shed not slept at home, she dreaded the row that would erupt, already picturing him storming out, never to return. She knew he would never forgive such a thingnor could she forgive herself.
Alice cursed herself roundly for her stupidity; how could she nearly destroy her family like this, when she still loved her husband? But the shrill ring of the landline shook her back to the present.
It was her mother-in-law, ringing from Winchester. “I dont quite know whats going on,” she said in her clipped tone, “but Tom rang in the night, couldnt get through to you, so I told him youd gone to Aunt Catherinesshed taken ill and you went to look after her. Best you keep to the story, dear…”
Certainly, Alice hadnt expected help from her mother-in-law. Their relationship had always been peculiarnot outwardly hostile, but Mrs. Mary Hunter never really warmed to her. Shed been against the marriage from the start, declaring the couple too young to wed, and in the early years made Alices life a misery, particularly when they had lived under the same roof. When Tom and Alice finally got their own place, contact with Mary was largely limited to birthdays and Christmasboth women had settled into a wary truce. Yet, in that moment, Alice felt nothing but gratitude, the later consequences be damnedat least Tom was none the wiser.
That evening, Alice and Tom drove to Winchester to ring in the New Year with his parents. She tried to seize a quiet moment in the kitchen, to confess her foolishness and thank her for saving her hide, but Mary brushed her off.
Oh, dont fuss, girl. You think I don’t know what it’s like, living with a man whose world begins and ends with his hobbies? Im no saint, myself. Why, my Peter, she said, nodding at her husband warming by the fire, has spent most of his life tramping across the fields. You think thats never wounded me? Its only trouble if you make a habit of it, you see?
Alice understood. She finally saw that Mary wasnt such a dragon, after allshe understood perfectly well. It all ended quietly enough, and Alice resolved that never again would she step out without her husband knowing where she was.
As time has gone on, shes often reflected on that day, and how much one can misjudge another until the heart is properly tested.
