I didnt invite anyone round! Alices voice wobbled. I didnt ask you here!
James was in the kitchen, whisk in hand, working intently on a sauce for the pasta. He had a cookbook open on the counter and a look of utter concentration plastered across his face.
The air was filled with the scent of garlic, tomatoes, and basil, mixing with the gentle aroma of beeswax candles Alice had dotted around the lounge.
I think I might just be pulling it off, James turned to his wife, who was slicing cheese for the salad. At least, it hasnt split yet.
Alice smiled at him with genuine fondness. Her chestnut hair was bundled up in a messy knot and her deep blue eyes were softened by the warm light overhead.
Youre amazing, love, she walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. It smells incredible. Just like that tiny bistro in Soho we loved.
Thats the goal. Imagine: quiet, just the two of us, soft music, dinner by candlelight. No phone calls, no visitors. Just us.
Theyd both decided Alices birthday should be spent in peace for once. After months of relentless fuss and relatives popping in and out, they were desperate for an evening meant only for them.
Alice had gone out of her way to buy a favourite bottle of red, and James took the afternoon off to tackle dinner himself.
Once everything was ready and the snacks were out in the lounge, Alice put on a mellow playlist.
Happy birthday, darling, James said as he raised his glass. Hope this year brings only joy and calm.
Thank you, my lovely, Alice replied, clinking glasses.
The wine was rich and full. She shut her eyes for a long moment, savouring it. Alice had been looking forward to a night like this for ages.
It was at that exact, calm moment that their intercom screeched from the hall. James frowned.
Who on earth could that be? Were not expecting anyone.
Alice shrugged, but a worry flickered through her. Something cold shivered in her stomach. James went to answer the call.
Hello? he said into the receiver.
A booming, familiar voice echoed through the hallway.
Jamie, its us! Open up, weve brought treats! Here to wish the birthday girl all the best!
Jamess face drained of colour as he glanced back at Alice.
Mum? he all but whispered. What are you doing here?
What do you mean, darling? Come on, let us in, its blowing a gale out here!
Wordlessly, James buzzed them in. An uncomfortable silence hung as they waited.
Your mum? Now? Alice whispered, visibly shaken.
Sorry, I she said she was just going to call
Before they could even process the situation, there was a sharp, endless knocking at the doorforceful, like there was no such thing as personal space.
James braced himself and opened the door. There, in all her glory, was Margaret Thompson, his mother. Petite, a little round, with cropped hair and a shock of crimson lipstick.
She wore a thick, patterned wool shawl and held a massive, fogged-up plastic tub.
Well, finally! We thought wed freeze out there! she bustled straight in, not sparing a second for pleasantries, shedding her coat as she went.
Then Alice and James saw the rest of them. A small group trailed in: Uncle DaveMargarets brothera large man in a worn tracksuit carrying a crate of juice, his wife Aunt Lindathin and constantly bobbing aboutclutching a gigantic cake box like a shield, their twenty-year-old daughter Sophie, eyes glued to her phone, and two small children who immediately tore off squealing into the flat.
Mum, whats going on? James managed.
What dyou mean? Were family! Margaret insisted, hanging her coat across three hooks at once. We wanted to surprise Alice! Its all for you, sweetheart! She turned and shoved the tub at Alice. Here, homemade ham and parsley terrine. Jamie loves it.
Alice took the heavy container, stunned.
Thank you Margaret, she managed quietly. But we werent expecting company
Oh, dont be silly, were not company, were yours! Margaret practically guffawed, already marching into the lounge. Ooh, look at you two, all romantic! Candles!
Aunt Linda plopped her cake onto the table, cheerfully sweeping aside the flower vase and the wine glasses.
Alice, happy birthday! I baked you a proper chocolate cake, that old Blackpool recipe. You simply must try a piece.
Meanwhile, the kids dashed around playing tag. One of them almost toppled a floor vase, and Alice dived to save it just in time.
Her heart thumped uncomfortably. James snapped out of his daze, trying to pick up control.
Well, youre here now Come in, get settled. Alice, should we set up in the kitchen?
But Margaret was already giving orders.
No need for the kitchen, well be cosy here! Dave, shift the table, Linda, get us some plates. Sophie, enough with your phone, come give us a hand!
Sophie, only half-aware, shuffled off to the kitchen. The atmosphere of their romantic evening was shattered.
Within ten minutes, the coffee table was covered with family staples: ham terrine, prawn cocktail, sausage rolls, pickled onions, and Lindas gooey chocolate cake.
So, birthday girl, tell mehows life? Margaret landed on the sofa, pinning Alice with that relentless, maternal stare. Still at the same job? Is your boss treating you all right?
Everythings fine, thank you, Alice murmured, pushing some salad around her plate.
Only, you see, Sophie heres not having much luck finding work, Margaret went on, not listening. Studied and studied, now nothing. Maybe you could put in a word for her at your firm? Shes very capable, our Sophie.
Alice nodded wordlessly, feeling herself shrink. James, shoulders hunched, tried to keep conversation going and answered Daves football questions, but he looked exhausted.
He cast Alice apologetic glances whenever he could, clearly at a loss.
Once the little ones had eaten their fill of cake, they were off again. The youngest, Liam, found Alices collection of crystal animals on the shelfa collection shed spent years building.
Mum, look! Shiny things! he squealed.
Careful, Liam, thats fragile Alice leapt up, but it was far too late.
He tugged on a delicate glass swan. There was a sharp clink. Crystal shattered, shards scattering all over the floor.
Dead silence. Even the music had long since stopped. The only sound was the faint fizz of the candles.
Oh, for goodness sake! Aunt Linda cried out. Liam, what did I tell you? Dont touch!
Oh, dont fuss love, its just a bit of glass, Margaret waved her hand dismissively. Well chuck it out. Hes a child, it was an accident.
Alice looked up at her very slowly.
It was my grandmothers, she said quietly, but very clearly. Shes gone now.
Yes, well, God rest her, but living folks are more important, Margaret replied, undeterred. Kids are kids. You ought to keep precious things tucked away if youre having people round.
That was it. Alice pushed herself upright so fast her chair scraped dreadfully across the floor.
But I didnt have anyone round! she finally burst out. I didnt invite you! James and I wanted tonight to ourselves! Its my birthday, not some Thompson family open house!
The silence was glacial. Even the children stilled, sensing the change.
Uncle Dave stared at his plate, Aunt Linda sat gaping. Margaret flushed deep red.
Oh, I see how it is, her voice had turned frosty. Weve come to celebrate, brought gifts and dinner, only to be told were not wanted? Am I not allowed in my own sons house now?
Mum, enough, James stood. His own patience had snapped. Alice is right. We wanted tonight to ourselves. You had no right to turn up out of nowhere and bring half of Essex with you.
Turn up?! Margarets voice rose to near shrieking. I come to see my sonmy only son! I did everything for you! Nursed you, worried about you! Now youve got yourself a wife and Im not allowed in?
It isnt about Alice! Its about respecting our plans and our space!
They began a loud, circular bickering. Margaret fired off accusations; James tried to reason; the rest of the family stared fixedly at their laps.
Alice couldnt take it. She got up and walked, out of the room, out of the noise.
The shouting continued, muffled by the wall, no less painful for being distant.
Alice had no idea how long she spent out of the frayten, twenty minutes. In time, the shouting died out, replaced by a heavy hush.
Half-hearted footsteps, hushed words, the sound of the front door shutting at last.
James opened the bedroom door quietly. He looked defeated.
Theyve gone, he said softly. Alice, Im so sorryI should have just turned off the intercom
But you didnt, Alices voice was flat. You shouldve stopped her.
Shes my mum she meant well.
Meant well for who? Alice turned, eyes aflame. For herself? To show off what a perfect mum and housekeeper she is? She ruined my whole evening, James.
What else could I do? Throw her out? Shed have had a full-blown tantrum
And what happened tonight, wasnt that a tantrum? Alice paced restlessly. Shes always like this! Invading, deciding for uswhat to eat, where to go, how to live! You always cave in
Alice approached the window. She watched as Margaret and the others filtered into their car in the street below.
The crisis seemed over, but Alice knew better. It was just a pause.
I dont know how to keep doing this, James, she said, barely above a whisper. I cant live every day dreading your mum bursting in here with a pie and an opinion.
Ill talk to her. Properly this time. She needs to understand this cant go on
Youve said that a hundred times. It never changes.
Their perfect evening hadnt even begun before it ended.
Im sorry, James said again, brokenly. Happy birthday, love.
Alice closed her eyes. She was thirty-three years old, but felt closer to sixty.
Maybe we could salvage whats left of the nighttheres plenty of untouched food
I just want to go to bed, Alice replied, exhausted beyond words. Im done.
She left him there and went to the bathroom, desperate just to wash away the day and fall asleep, wishing tomorrow would come swiftlya day, hopefully, without uninvited mothers-in-law and their kin.
Afterwards, Margaret sulked for weeks, genuinely unable to see how she might have ruined anything for them that night.
