Family Secrets and the Path to Happiness
Margaret Whitmore bought a basket of ripe, fragrant strawberries at the market in the little village of Briarwood and decided to treat her son and his wife. It was the weekend, so Daniel and Lily were likely home. The door to their flat in the old brick house was slightly ajar, so Margaret walked in without knocking. Just as she was about to call out, she heard Lily sobbing bitterly on the phone in the living room. “What on earth could’ve happened to make her cry like this?” Margaret wondered, concerned. She crept closer, holding her breath, and listened. What she heard made her gasp in shock.
Margaret had picked up the strawberries earlier and thought she’d pop in to see Daniel and Lily. With it being a lazy Sunday, they were probably in. The door was open, so she stepped inside without announcing herself.
She was about to call out when she suddenly caught Lily’s tearful voice from down the hall. Margaret froze, ears pricked.
“Emma, he barely even looks at me anymore,” Lily sniffled. “I bought a new dress, and all he did was grunt something and walk off. He’s always so distant, like he’s annoyed with everything. At night, he just scrolls on his phone until he falls asleep. It’s like I don’t even exist. He comes straight home after work, so I don’t think there’s someone else… but we used to talk about having kids, and now I’m scared to even mention it. I think he’s fallen out of love with me, but he won’t say it. Emma, it’s over. I can’t live without Daniel—he’s all I’ve ever wanted!”
“Thanks for listening,” Lily went on, her voice thick. “There’s no one else I can talk to. My mum’s wrapped up in her own life, and his mum would just take his side, so I’ve kept it all in.”
Hearing the call end, Margaret cleared her throat and called out, “Anyone home?”
“Oh, hello, Margaret,” Lily said, quickly wiping her eyes as she stepped into the hall.
“Lily, love, I brought some fresh strawberries—thought you might like some,” Margaret said warmly, holding out the basket.
“Thank you, I was actually craving these,” Lily replied. “Come in, would you like tea? I’ve got some biscuits.”
“That’d be lovely, thanks.”
While Lily put the kettle on, Margaret mulled over what she’d overheard. So things weren’t as smooth in her son’s marriage as she’d thought.
“How’s everything? How’s Daniel?” she asked. “He hardly rings, and you two never visit. I don’t want to intrude—I know you’re busy…”
“Oh, he’s always at work,” Lily sighed. “Comes home, eats, watches telly, and goes to bed. We never go out—it’s like we’re already retired.”
Margaret chuckled. She’d always liked Lily for her honesty. She and Daniel had been married three years after dating for a while. Margaret couldn’t have asked for a better daughter-in-law—bright, kind, beautiful. She’d accepted Lily from the start, never once giving in to those awful in-law stereotypes.
“Strange behaviour from Daniel,” Margaret mused. “You’re young, no kids yet—you should be out enjoying yourselves! Why stay cooped up?”
“That’s what I keep saying,” Lily’s voice wavered. “I think… he’s fallen out of love with me.”
She burst into tears. Flustered, Margaret quickly reassured her.
“Lily, don’t be silly—of course he loves you! Maybe he’s stressed with work or just exhausted. Talk to him.”
“I’ve tried! He just says, ‘It’s fine, stop overreacting,’” Lily hiccuped. “And I want a baby, but for that, we’d actually have to… you know.”
“I don’t know how to help,” Margaret sighed. “I can’t force him to listen, and I don’t want to make things worse. What if he gets upset, says you’re running to me with your problems? We’ll have to think of something…”
Then Margaret brightened. “You know what? There’s one way—stir up his feelings a bit.”
“How?” Lily wiped her cheeks. “I’ll do anything to save my marriage.”
“My neighbour’s nephew, Oliver, is visiting. Tall, handsome, dark-eyed. Works in theatre—women swoon over him. Maybe make Daniel a little jealous? My friend’s husband went cold, but the second another man gave her a lift home, he snapped out of it. What if I talk to Oliver? We could arrange for him to ‘bump into’ you, let Daniel see it. Don’t worry—I’m his mum, but I’m still a woman. I just want you two happy.”
Lily stared, baffled.
“No, that’s… silly,” she said, shaking her head. “Maybe it’ll sort itself out.”
“Up to you, but the offer’s there,” Margaret winked. “Only idea I’ve got.”
“Thanks for caring,” Lily murmured. “Hope it doesn’t come to that. Oh—Daniel’s home.”
“Mum, hi!” Daniel walked in. “Everything alright?”
“Hello, love,” Margaret smiled. “Brought strawberries. Having tea with Lily. How’s work?”
“Fine,” he mumbled. “Dad okay?”
“Gone fishing with his mate for a few days,” Margaret said. “Why don’t you two go out more? Lovely weather, yet you’re always indoors.”
“Can’t be bothered,” Daniel shrugged. “Rather stay in and watch a film.”
Lily gave Margaret a helpless look. Just as she’d said—he was shut off. What was wrong with him? Such a wonderful girl, and he—
Days later, Lily rang Margaret in tears.
“Margaret, I’ll do it—your plan! I can’t take it! I cut and dyed my hair—everyone says it suits me, but Daniel didn’t even notice! He’s completely indifferent! Maybe shaking him up is the only way. Let’s test if he still cares. Could you talk to Oliver? We’ll say he’s a client—I am a designer, after all. If Daniel sees us together a few times, maybe he’ll react?”
“Lily, I’m all for it!” Margaret said eagerly. “Let’s try—might reignite things!”
That same day, Margaret spoke to Oliver. He laughed at the scheme but agreed to help, handing over his number for Lily.
The next evening, Lily called again, sobbing.
“Why did I listen to you?! Daniel’s left! Your plan ruined everything!”
“What happened?” Margaret asked anxiously. “Calm down—tell me.”
“Daniel was home after work,” Lily choked out. “I made a point of doing my makeup and ironing a nice dress. He didn’t even ask where I was going. Then Oliver rang—I said I’d meet him soon. Daniel finally asked, ‘Who’s that?’ I said a big client wanted to meet at the café. He just shrugged. Oliver picked me up outside—Daniel must’ve seen from the window, just like we wanted. Oliver dropped me at the café and left. I sat there an hour, then came home. Daniel’s gone. His car too. Some of his things are missing. He won’t answer my calls… This was a terrible idea!”
“I’ll talk to him, don’t panic,” Margaret promised. “This is my fault—I’ll fix it.”
Margaret was gutted. Why had she meddled? They’d have worked it out. Now Lily would resent her.
“Mum, you in?” Daniel’s voice called out. He had keys and let himself in.
“Here, love,” Margaret answered. “What’s wrong?”
“Mum, can I stay here a bit?” he asked. “If that’s alright.”
“No, it’s not,” Margaret said firmly. “Go home to your wife. That’s where you belong.”
“I can’t,” Daniel’s voice cracked. “I just… can’t.”
“Why not? Lily loves you—what’s the matter?”
“I love her too. So much,” he whispered. “That’s why I have to let her go. Let her find someone who… who can give her a child. Because I— Mum, I can’t. I saw a doctor. There’s… a problem.”
“Why didn’t you tell Lily?” Margaret’s heart ached.
“I couldn’t,” he admitted. “She wants a baby so badly… She deserves a real man. And I think she’s found one. She called him a client, but I saw him from the window. Handsome bloke. The way she looked at him—I knew.”
“Daniel, don’t be angry,” Margaret said gently. “I found that man. Lily was heartbroken over how distantShe was afraid you didn’t love her anymore, and this whole thing was just a silly plan to make you see how much you mean to each other.
