Lena, dear, can you possibly hear yourself? Victoria Whitmore snapped, her voice trembling between outrage and desperation. All the girls around here dream of leaving this town, heading to London for a proper education, and you?
Polly Whitmore let out a soft, bitter laugh, her eyes flicking over the stubbornness in her motherinlaws tone. She knew LenaLily, as the family called herwas unyielding; arguing would be pointless.
Victoria, just tell her what you mean! the matriarch pleaded, clutching at the last strand of hope that she could sway her granddaughter without Pollys help.
What would I say? That she must be dragged, against her will, into some unfamiliar city just because her grandmother craves a prestigious diploma? Polly retorted, her voice flat. Thats her life, not yours or mine, to decide where she studiesor even if she studies at all.
What do you mean if she studies at all? Victoria gasped, her hands trembling. Polly, can I have just a moment?
Every person carries a personal definition of making it in life. Some count children, some equate wealth with success, while others dismiss material measures entirely, believing true fulfillment comes only to those who raise a familyideally more than one. Theres no shame in differing visions of happinessuntil someone imposes theirs on another, demanding they reshape themselves to fit a foreign ideal. Only then does the drama turn truly sour.
Victoria Whitmore was obsessed with higher education, insistent on a degree from a renowned institution, not some dubious college. Her conflict with Polly had never flared, because Pollys future husband, Paul Carter, lived in London and had earned a statefunded place at Oxford. No complaints, no demands. Victorias fixation on the golden ticket was merely an eccentric quirk, harmless until the Carter children grew up.
Some women stitch plush toys, some never leave the garden, but Victoria loved to harp on the importance of a university degree. The first storm erupted when Sophie Carter, the eldest, rolled her eyes at her grandmothers lecturesjust teenage rebellion, Victoria thought. The real tempest began when, after completing Year 9, Sophie entered a regional nursing college, took a few short courses, and, with her new certificate, jumped straight into the beauty industry.
That night the first serious clash between Polly and Victoria exploded.
What do you mean she shouldnt get an education? A qualification is a passport, proof of competence, a sign of intellect, Victoria demanded.
Oh, really? And what good has your own diploma done for you? Remind me, are you a shopassistant by trade? Polly shot back. Your talents are as invisible as your sense of stylestill cant pick a decent pair of shoes, and you keep calling me.
Paul, darling, why is she yelling at me? What did I even say? the young husband whispered, bewildered.
Can a woman today survive without a degree? I only want the best for my granddaughter, and youre steering her toward ruin, Victoria wailed, tears spilling as she realized force would not win her point.
Paul stepped between his wife and mother, defending his daughters choices. Sophie barely survived the nursing collegeshe failed two subjects three times, remember? Shes not cut out for a fulltime university. She wont get a place at a top university on a scholarship, and we cant afford a hefty tuition fee. Our budget isnt endless.
He added, Next year well send Lena to a local college and send Boris to school. Im not going to fund a pointless prestige for Sophie.
Fine, if she wanted it herself, thats her business, Victoria retorted. She got her certificate, celebrated with friends, and now shes doing eyebrows and lip liners for older ladies. She earns decent wages, so your nodegree argument is weak, mother.
Polly watched, the tension mounting. Pauls defense seemed to convince Victoria that a university degree would be a burden for Sophie, and the subject fell silent until Lily, fresh from secondary school, announced she wanted to study not only parttime but also at a nearby institute just two streets from their homeone that, unlike Oxford, was within walking distance.
What difference does it make where I study? Im not aiming for the capital, Lily declared, eyes fierce. Ive been there a few times; I know I dont want to live there. We have everything we need in this county town. No point battling traffic fumes for a city that doesnt suit me. Ill eventually work remotely, maybe move to a small coastal village.
Victorias face turned ashen. Polly, you must stop her. If you let this go, therell be no smart people left in this family.
She warned that both older daughters, Sophie and Lily, were becoming clogs in her plans, refusing to bow to her wishes. Before Lily could finish her retort, Sophie cut in.
So thats how you see me, Grandmother? A clog? Every time you need something donecleaning, grocery shoppingyou call me a clog, Sophie snapped. How do you even manage to talk to someone like me? Its humiliating to take money and gifts from you, knowing you think Im just a nuisance.
What gifts? Polly asked, genuinely puzzled.
Sophie listed small tokensan electric kettle, a microwavenone of which strained Victorias modest pension. I never imagined Id be the one helping you, yet you treat me like a piece of bottlecap to be tossed aside.
Listen, Sophie, without a degree a person is, Victoria began.
Your degree, Grandmother, might as well be a grocery list, Sophie snapped back. Go fetch the groceries yourself.
Polly, fed up, ordered Victoria to leave the house immediately and never return. Paul, hearing his mothers tirade, stood firmly with his wife, cutting all contact with his own mother. He explained that an obsession is one thing; insulting ones grandchildren is another.
Victoria tried several times to mend fences, but the wounds ran deep. Sophie and Lily stopped answering her calls, as did Polly. Only Paul and his brother Boris met her occasionally in neutral cafés, but never discussed Lilys university plans.
Perhaps, the story suggested, the old woman might yet learn from her mistakes. Having lost two grandchildren to her relentless ambition, she might still keep a relationship with her sons third child.
Only time will tell.
