**Diary Entry 15th October**
I can still hear my mothers voice in my head: *”Bear with it, love. Youre part of another family now, and youve got to respect their ways. You married into this, didnt you?”*
*”What ways, Mum? Theyre all barmy! Especially my mother-in-lawshe hates me, its obvious!”*
*”And when have you ever known a mother-in-law to be kind?”*
She was right, I suppose. But that doesnt make it any easier.
Margaret White stood in the middle of the kitchen, her face red with fury, eyes blazing. *”Out again! Always out! If a man strays, its the wifes faultdo I have to spell it out for you?”*
She was raving mad, screaming at me like I was some sort of villain. All because Id dared to suspect her precious son, David, of stepping out on me.
MeEmilya slip of a girl with wide, trusting eyes, pressed against the wall, trying to reason with her.
*”Margaret, this isnt right. Hes got a family, children”*
Her hand slashed through the air, cutting me off like I was a fly to be swatted.
*”You call this a family? That child of yours wont even come near me or his granddad! Thats your doing!”*
*”Hes only two, Margaret,”* I said softly.
*”Two? The Harris boys younger, and hes sweet as pienot a screecher like yours!”*
*”Hes your grandson,”* I whispered, though my voice shook. *”And children sense things. Maybe thats why he keeps away.”*
*”So were the bad ones now? Oh, thats rich!”* Her voice rose to a shriek. *”Whos putting a roof over your head? Whos food are you eating? Whos money are you spending? Ungrateful little”*
I stopped arguing long ago. Id begged David a thousand times to move out, but he was too comfortable hereMummys boy through and through.
Why would he leave? His parents did everythingcooking, cleaning, laundry. A dream life, really.
But for me? It was hell.
At first, I tried. I helped around the house, listened to Margarets endless complaints about the neighbours, about life. But it was never enough.
No matter how hard I tried, she despised me. Didnt even bother hiding it.
*”Brought this useless girl into my houseas if there werent decent, hardworking girls right here in town!”* shed gossip to her friend, Doris, while I stood just around the corner, gathering the toys David had left strewn about.
*”Drove halfway to bloody Cornwall for her! Was it worth it? Our girls are brighter, better in every way!”*
*”Too right!”* Doris would chirp, ever the busybody. *”Cant even trust her with a simple taskeither loses it or breaks it. And that child of hers odd, isnt he?”*
When it got too much, Id ring Mum in the next town over, crying down the line.
*”Bear with it, love,”* shed sigh. *”Weve all been there. Just dont let them see it gets to you.”*
*”Mum, theyre mad! Especially Margaretshe *hates* me!”*
*”Since when were mothers-in-law ever kind? Youll manage.”*
One day, I snapped. *”Maybe Ill tell Dad!”*
Her voice turned sharp. *”Dont you dare! You know hes on probationone wrong move and hes back inside!”*
I knew. Dad adored me. Hed got that suspended sentence after laying into some bloke whod insulted me at the local shop.
And if he found out how they treated me here? He wouldnt stay quiet.
*”Fine, I wont tell him,”* I said. *”But if this keeps up I dont know what Ill do.”*
*”Itll pass, love,”* Mum would say. *”Youll see.”*
But it didnt.
Margaret only grew worse, blaming me for every little thing. Even her husband, Johna weary old manfinally spoke up.
*”Why dyou keep shouting at the girl? Shell leave! And good riddance!”*
*”Oh, shell leave, all right!”* Margaret rounded on him. *”Ill drag her through court, make her pay back every penny shes cost us! And Ill take that childno daughter-in-law of mines raising him in *that* family!”*
It was nonsense, of course. But it terrified me.
And after one particularly nasty rowover a tiny stain little Tommy left on the new cream sofaMargaret lost it completely.
*”Ruined it! My good sofa! Do you know how much this cost? I ought to throttle you!”*
*”Ill clean it,”* I stammered, hands shaking.
*”Clean it? Its brand new! Not that youd knowyouve never paid for a thing in your life!”*
*”And you have?”* The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Her face darkened. *”Cheeky little! Scrub that stain, then get out! You and your brat can live in the shed for all I care!”*
I was sobbing, scrubbing at the stubborn mark while Tommy wailed in my arms.
Thensilence.
I looked up.
Dad stood in the doorway, axe in hand.
Margaret spun around, paling when she saw him.
*”OhNicholas! I was just teaching Emily some discipline.”*
*”Heard how you *teach*,”* he said, voice low. He stepped inside, boots still dirty from the yard, and held out his hand.
*”Come on, love. Youve no business here.”*
Margaret sputtered. *”Waitwhatll I tell my son?”*
*”Tell him to come to me. For his wife. Well talk. Man-to-man.”* His icy glare said the rest.
He took me and Tommy home.
David didnt come for us straight awaytoo scared of Dad, I suppose. But eventually, he did.
They talked for hours. Dad never raised his voice. Never threatened. But the axe on the table spoke louder than words.
David promisedwed move out. Margaret would keep her nose out. Hed protect us.
And when Dads grip crushed his hand in farewell, David knewhed better keep those promises.
Margaret avoids us now. Wont even say hello in the street.
David and I have our own place. Peace, at last.
Whether its love or fear of my father I dont care. Its enough.