Natalie Peterson, hello. Its Yvonne, your future daughter-in-law. Id love to meet and have a chat. When and where would suit you?
Natalie stiffened, especially at the words *future daughter-in-law*. What fresh news was this? Adrian had never mentioned he was planning to marry her.
“Good afternoon, Yvonne. Come by mine at six this evening. Ill be expecting you.”
*What on earth does she want to talk about? Is she expecting a baby? Naturally. Shes probably done it on purpose to trap Adrian. Seen it all before.*
*What was he thinking? Shes not good enough for him. Not like Adrian. An architect with a bright futureflat in London, a decent car, handsome, clever. Any girl would be lucky to have him, but no, hes gone and picked this one*
Natalie tidied the flat and popped to Tesco, her stomach in knots.
Shed seen Yvonne a handful of times and taken an instant dislike to her from the very first meeting. Adrian had brought her round to introduce her, then just for tea and a natter. And every time, Natalie had made her opinions perfectly clear afterwards.
“Son, are there no other girls? Why her? Whats so special about her? Plain, skinny, tiny. In my day, men went for a completely different sort! Honestly, shes not right for you.”
“Mum, I love her, and to me, shes perfect! And her cooking is divine. Her roast dinners are absolutely lush!”
That stung. He used to rave about *her* cooking, and now this girls roast dinners were divine.
Yvonne arrived right on time, bearing cupcakesNatalies favourite, lemon drizzle. *Sly thing, trying to butter me up.*
“Natalie, lets not beat around the bush. Adrians proposed, and Ive said yes. Hes waiting for the right moment to tell you. Hes worried you wont take it well.”
“Of course I wont, dear! Why on earth should I be thrilled?”
“I want to strike a deal with you. Hear me out, please.”
“I know you raised Adrian alone. You married because of the baby, but it didnt work out. Your husband left. My mum raised me alone tooDad died young. So I know what its like to grow up without both parents.”
“You poured your heart into your son. Thank you. Hes kind, thoughtful, well-manneredthats your doing. You should be proud.”
Natalie gave a satisfied nod. Well, of course. It was *her* hard work that made him the man he was.
Yvonne pressed on.
“You dream of him marrying someone beautiful, successful, well-off. And then theres me. Small, ordinary, from a modest background. My salarys nothing special. A poor match, in your eyes. Now youre lost, wondering how to talk him out of it, arent you?”
Natalie shrugged and nodded. Spot on.
“Heres whatll happen. Adrian wont listenhes dead set on this. Youll argue. Youll boycott the wedding, obviously. *Obviously.* He disobeyed you. Right?”
“Right. Exactly.”
“Youll tell everyone what an ungrateful son he is, after all youve done. Some will pity you; others will smirk.”
“Meanwhile, well be happily married. Youll sulk and ignore us. Ill have a baby. Adrian will tell you, of course, but youll stubbornly refuse to meet your grandchild. You dont recognise our marriage, so why acknowledge the baby?”
“My mum will dote on her grandson, take him to the park, read him stories, spoil him rotten. Shell be his favourite grandma in the world.”
“And you? Youll sit alone in your flat, watching telly, resentful that lifes left you isolated and unwanted.”
“Holidays will be the worstjust you, while everyone else celebrates with family. The bitterness will eat at you. Your health will suffer. Hospital visits will be bleakothers will have family dropping by. You? Just the neighbour or an old friend. Because you refused to speak to your son and his dreadful wife.”
“In the end, youll die alone, never knowing your grandson, never hearing Grandma, never getting a birthday call. And thatll be *your* choice.”
“Or it could go differently. After I leave, youll think it over. And as a smart, loving mother, youll accept your sons choicebecause if he loves me, there must be *something* good about me.”
“Look, Im not so bad. My colleagues like me. My mum adores me. Im decent, hardworking. Ill be a good wife and mum. And most importantly, I love your son, and he loves me.”
“When Adrian tells you were engaged, just smile and say you respect his choice. I know you might never warm to me, but basic decency? Thats enough.”
“I dont exactly adore you either, but Im willing to try.”
“At the wedding, youll have the seat of honour. Youll beam at Adrianand maybe, just maybe, at me a little. When the baby comes, youll always be welcome. Two doting grandmas? Thats a lucky child.”
“Ill never badmouth you, and you wont badmouth me.”
“Weve got one thing in commonmaking Adrian happy. So lets work together. Think it over and call me. Thanks for the tea, Natalie. Cheers!”
After Yvonne left, Natalie sank into her armchair by the window, deep in thought. *Blimey, shes right. Thats exactly how itll go.*
And really, what did it matter if she didnt like the girl? *Adrians* the one marrying her. If she kicks up a fuss, hell be upsetbut hell marry her anyway. Shed seen how his face lit up around Yvonne. Even her legendary roast beef didnt stand a chance anymore
What did she stand to gain by fighting it? Nothing. Just years of bitterness while some other grandma got all the cuddles and bedtime stories. *She* wanted that too. And she could have itif No, it wouldnt happen unless
“Yvonne? Ill take your deal. I dont fancy ending up lonely and miserable. I want to be part of my sons lifeso I suppose that means yours too. And you *will* let me have the baby on weekends, yes? Oh, andwhat *do* you put in that roast to make Adrian go on about it?”
Yvonne laughed.
“Your roast is just as good, Natalie, honestly. The secrets in the seasoning. Im glad youve agreedthis is best for everyone. Adrian was rightyou *are* a clever, loving mum.”
Three years later
“Adrian, love, look at little Oliverscowling just like you! What a darling boy. Im so glad Ive got a grandson! And Yvonnethank you for that deal. You were spot on.”
“What deal? First Ive heard of it!”
“Oh, nothing, love. Just a little secret between me and Yvonne.”
Natalie caught her daughter-in-laws eye and gave a sly wink. Yvonne winked right back.
