Daughter-in-law endured her mother-in-law: heres what came of it
Twins?! Margaret exclaimed, unable to hide her shock.
She tried to mask her irritation, but it was a poor attempt. Emily had no illusions that her mother-in-law could show genuine warmthshe had never been fond of her, always insisting that Emily wasnt the right match for her son. Strangely enough, most people thought it was Harry who was a bit too simple for someone like Emily.
Emily was 23 and impressively accomplished for her age. She had finished her degree in Economics and landed a steady job with a private chain of clinics. True, she came from a small town, but her father managed a local business and her mother was a lecturer at the towns university. No one could call Emily uneducated or socially awkward. Yet, Margaret labelled her a country girl all the same.
Well, congratulations! What a blessing! Double the happiness! Margaret muttered.
Despite her words, she had no intention of taking part in this blessing. Emilys pregnancy was complicated from the startfirst threatened miscarriage, then risk of premature labour. She spent weeks in hospital on bed rest. While Harry visited almost daily, Margaret, who lived just two bus stops away, did not visit once.
Even when the baby girls were born, Margaret didnt turn up to the hospital, nor did she visit during the crucial first forty days, no matter how Harry pleaded.
Its just not done! What if I bring them germs? They need to get stronger first. Ill meet my granddaughters when its safe.
Three months later, Emily bumped into Margaret at the local Tesco. Margaret managed a tight-lipped smile.
How are you and the girls getting on, then? she asked through gritted teeth.
Emily smiled sincerely. Just out for a stroll. The prams huge, but what can you do? They need fresh air, dont they?
Margaret nodded, ready to head off until she spotted an old friend approaching.
Maggie! Hello! Goodness meare these your granddaughters? called Barbara.
Yes, Barbara… My treasures! Margaret beamed.
Emily remembered Barbara from previous family gatherings and greeted her shyly.
Two at once! Emily, how did you manage it? Youre so tiny! Barbara marvelled.
Shes a real hero, our Emily! Margaret interjected enthusiastically.
Emily was taken aback. Only moments ago, Margaret wanted nothing more than to escape, and now she was parading as the picture of a proud grandmother.
Barbara and Margaret chatted away, snippets floating over to Emilyhow having twins was such a joy, how Emily was coping so well, how much help Margaret was giving. Emily couldnt believe her ears. When Barbara finally remembered she was running late for the bank, Margarets smile dropped in an instant. She said a brisk goodbye and disappeared.
That evening, Emily recounted it all to Harry. He just shrugged.
Thats my mum for you, Em. She used to tell people she helped me with my homework all night, but shed just sit watching her soaps while I struggled through it. Shed say she took my sister Rosie out for long walks, but really she was doing her hair and makeup while I was left to look after Rosie. Just ignore it, please.
Emily had heard these stories a dozen times, but still found it bewildering to experience them first-hand.
***
The years passed, but Margarets attitude remained unchangeddistant to her grandchildren, unengaged with her own children. Then, disaster struck. Margaret slipped getting out of a minicab and broke her leg. Suddenly she announced to Emily and Harry:
Ill stay with you while I recover!
They exchanged nervous glances, fully aware where this was heading, but found it impossible to refuse.
Their home swiftly became a nightmare. Harry and Emily moved into the girls room while Margaret took over the master bedroom. She became like a third childdemanding food, help with washing, shopping trips, and constant attention.
The twins were two and a half now, and Emily was trying to get back to work part time, so they started at nursery. Every morning became a battletwo grumpy girls protesting the abrupt wake-up, Harry and Emily coaxing, bribing, sometimes dragging them out from under the duvet.
One morning, as they were rushing around, Harrys phone rang.
Mum? Why are you calling? Youre in the next room.
I cant get up; my legs broken.
Mum, you have your crutch…
Hush, Harry! No need to stand up to say what I need to say!
Alright, Mum. Make it quick…
I wont stand for this racket every morning. All this thundering about, slamming doors, and your girls never seem to stop chattering!
Harry reddened with suppressed fury. He marched to the bedroom, flung the door open and shouted:
If you want a lie-in, maybe we should just leave the kids with you, then?!
Margaret fell silent, horrified. Before long, she left her sons flat, cast and all. Harry wasnt fussed, but Emily found herself uneasyshe hated that her husband fought with his mother, but what choice did she have?
***
Fridays, Emily finished work early, picked up the girls, bought a little treat, and that afternoon the three of them watched a Disney film together, snuggled on floor cushions. This Friday wasnt differentuntil the doorbell rang.
Emily opened the door to find Margaret with a small boy in tow.
Margaret, is everything alright? Emily asked.
Rosies left Jamie with me until this evening. But Ive urgent things to sort out! Please, look after him for an hour or so. Ill be back as soon as I can, Margaret said, already ushering Jamie inside and heading for the lift.
When will you be back? Emily called after her.
Two hours, tops!
Margaret didnt bother to say goodbye.
***
Harry got in from work at seven. Seeing his nephew at the kitchen table eating fish fingers, he was puzzled.
Alright mate! Fancy seeing you here! Wheres your mum?
Jamie grinned. Emily sighed heavily. She was tired of being the reason for household arguments, but it couldnt be helped.
Your mum dropped him off. She said shed only be gone an hour or two…
And how long ago was that?
Almost five hours now…
Emily looked at Harry apprehensively.
So, wheres Rosie?
Emily swallowed. I didnt text her… I didnt want to embarrass Margaret. Rosie trusting her with Jamie and all.
Harrys temper rose.
Youre too generous, Em… Thats just not on! Mum didnt say where she was going?
Emily shook her head.
Harry quickly rang his sister, filling her in. Rosie promised shed come straight away.
***
By eight-thirty, the children played together in the next room while Emily, Harry, and Rosie sat in the kitchen.
Shall we really wait for her? The kids need to be in bed… Emily said.
Its one nightlet them stay up. We need to have this out with Mum.
As soon as the words left Harrys lips, the doorbell rang. Emily went to answer.
Margaret bustled in, brisk and businesslike.
Right, Ill take Jamie now! she announced.
Emily swallowed hard. At that moment, Rosie and Harry appeared behind her.
Mum, are you serious? Harry said.
How dare you speak to your mother like that? Margaret snapped.
Mum! Lets keep it straight. I left Jamie with younot Emily! What on earth have you been playing at? Rosie protested.
Margaret chuckled. Oh honestly, Rosie! What does it matter? Emily has two of her own, she can cope. I had things to do!
Mum, what things? You didnt even ask her! Harry bristled.
Oh, what is there to ask?
Where were you? Harry pressed.
Rosie started giggling. Well first, she obviously popped to the hairdresserher hairs definitely shorter than it was this morning. Then Id guess she had her nails doneshe set off with red varnish, now theyre pink…
Margaret coloured, struggling for a response.
Have you no shame? Harry exclaimed.
She stayed silent, just looking at her children.
We only ever ask you for a favour once in a blue moon, and you palm Jamie off on Em? Maybe she fancies a new hairdo, or some time at the salon herself?
Margarets face reddened with fury. She brightened, ready to put them all in their place:
Oh, Harry! Why would she need a haircut or fancy nails? Shes a plain little thing, always was, always will befrom some village you cant even find on the map!
There was a moments hush. Then a thunderous:
Get out!
Harry took his mother firmly by the arm, steered her into the hall, and shut the door. After a deep breath, he turned to see tears streaking Emilys cheeks, both he and Rosie instantly attempting to comfort her.
Emily felt hurt and humiliated. But at least she could see that Margaret didnt cherish even her own children; it wasnt personal. Emily had always longed to be the good daughter-in-law, but for some people, it seemed, that would never be enough.
From then on, contact with Margaret dwindled to polite formality. Harry and Rosie might help out with little things, but family life carried on without her. Margaret sulked about the treatment from her children, but eventually, her desire to be seen with the family won out, and she tried to mend thingsthough never again did she offer to help with her grandchildren.
Once, scrolling through her phone, Emily saw Margarets status filled with photos of all three grandchildren: Happy Grandmothers Day to us alleveryone whos raised their grandchildren! Emily rolled her eyes, and that evening Harry and Rosie roasted their mother mercilessly. Emily tried to keep a straight face, but sometimes, the humour was impossible to resist.
