I dont work for you anymore!
Im not your maid!
Hello, love! Got a big surprise for you! Make your famous casserole for dinner tonight!
Whats happened? Laura asked anxiously.
Everythings brilliant! Ill tell you tonight!
The call ended, and the woman glanced out the window with doubt. It was a crisp October evening. Her husbands call didnt lift her spiritsin twenty-five years of marriage, hed never sprung surprises on her, especially not big ones.
The doorbell rang just as she pulled her signature beef stew with secret gravy from the oven.
Evening, love! Smells divine! Paul cheered, slamming a bottle of wine onto the table. Set the table! The hunters home!
Why so excited? Oh, hunter? She gave him a sideways glance.
Just washing up, then Ill dish out.
Pouring the wine, Paul raised his glass grandly. A toast to the best husband and father in the world! And to us and to a fabulous two-week break at a three-star hotel by the sea.
For a second, Lauras heart leaptuntil he added:
Did you know Marks a certified scuba diver?
What? She blinked.
Come on, Mum! Markour darling Emilys husband!
Whats Mark or Emily got to do with this?
Laura, love, youve been cooped up too long. Were all going togetherone big family holiday!
Laura set her glass down untouched. She sighed, exhaustion in her eyes.
Who paid for the trip?
Me, of course! Paul thumped his chest proudly.
So twenty-five years of empty promises about a tropical getaway, and now you want to drag Emily and Mark along? I see them every day! They never cookthey just raid our fridge! You even buy their groceries and pay their rent because they dont get adult responsibilities!
But Emily
What about Emily? I had her at 18! I told myself Id live later. And now? Im 45. Ive seen nothing, been nowhere. I work from home, chained to the stove and sink.
Tears welled up, a lump in her throat. She adored Emilybut Mark? She couldnt stand him. Grown adults should stand on their own feet. When shed fallen pregnant and married young, no one helped. Her husband, a researcher on a modest salary, was little use. Shed trained as an accountant, juggling clients for decadessometimes the whole familys weight on her shoulders.
Laura! Pauls voice turned stern. Whats with the waterworks? We spend loads of time together, and the kids are still finding their way. They need help!
Did you ever think about what *I* need?
Of course! Youre coming toowhats the issue?
The issues me, then. She whispered, rising from her chair and walking out.
The next day, Emily visited.
Hi, Mum! Brought gifts! She waved a frozen pizza box.
Hi. Microwaves there. Laura nodded to the kitchen, settling at her desk.
Mum, whats up? Marks coming soonthought youd whip up some soup and tea.
Kitchens there. Laura didnt look up.
Why so moody? Dads upset you didnt appreciate his gift.
To understand me, youd have to *be* me. Laura murmured.
Whats that supposed to mean? Im here, and youre ignoring me! Thought wed raid your wardrobe, then hit the shops for holiday bits. Thats why I invited Markto carry bags!
Laura snapped.
Listen, love. Cant you see Im working? Twenty-seven years Ive worked for this family! So your dad can lounge jobless on the sofa. So my daughter can treat me like a free chef and ATM!
A knock interrupted her. Mark arriveda thirty-something with a hipster beard and a hoverboard.
Alright, Auntie Laura? Brought a gift! From the whole officePaul chipped in too! He pulled a blender from his rucksack. Sorry, no box. Wouldnt fit. But all attachments are here!
Brilliant, right, Mum? You love cookingperfect housewife gift!
Laura forced a smile and retreated to her room.
Whats her problem? Mark muttered.
Dunno. Dad probably messed up. Lets go.
What? Not even eating?
Take the pizza. Eat at yours.
Hate frozen pizza. Prefer fresh pastries.
Then bake some! Emily hissed.
As the door shut, Laura buried her face in her hands.
Maybe Im a terrible wife and mother
A flood of memories haunted her dreams: Little Emily with tummy aches. Schoolyard bullies Laura fought off. Pauls pay cuther taking extra shifts to cope. Then, a nightmare of Mark chasing her on his hoverboard
Suddenlypeace. A hilltop, a winding river below, mountain peaks gilded by sunset.
Waking, Laura knew what to do.
Hi, love! Home! Hows things? Emily said you skipped shopping and hated the gift.
I dont need shopping.
What about swimsuits and sunhats? Do I need shorts and shirts?
Go buy them. Im not comingnot shopping, not the beach! Ive got my own ocean. Sort yourselves out. Dont bother meIve work to do.
Paul froze.
What about money? Ive paid already!
Call it compensation for my sanity.
Paul snorteda sign of deep offenseand gave her the silent treatment. Laura didnt mind.
Two days later, she finished her projects, packed warm clothes and her laptop, and called him.
Hey. Changed your mind? Ive cooled off.
Your sulkings irrelevant, Paul. Laura said calmly. Calling to say Im away on business. No idea how long. Check the mail, pay the rent. Bye.
Hanging up, she breathed easier. Smiling at her reflection, she left.
The long flight didnt dull her wonder. Hotel check-in, exploring amenitiesall a blur.
Then*there*. Smoking volcanoes on one side! Roaring ocean on the other! Laura inhaled deeply, watching the sunset paint the Cornish cliffs crimson.
Meanwhile, on a distant beach, Paul and Mark suffered their fourth day of food poisoning. Emily nursed them, ranting at her dads cheapness. Their hotel was far from the luxury resort shed imagined. She blasted Paul, who blamed her selfishness. Mark just scratched his itchy beard between sprints to the loo.
Do I have to shave?! he groaned. Do something!
Like what?
Get me meds!
I dont know which
Call Mum! Shell know!
Mums phones off.
They all missed Laura sorely. Their holiday was literally *down the pan*.
Laura returned a month later to suet pudding and a burnt cake on the table.
Im moving to Cornwall. She announced. If anyone wants to join, well discuss it. Otherwise, its not up for debate.
Well just visit, Mum Emily huffed but let it go.
Paul ranted, threatened, raged. But Laura had left the past behind. Two months later, they divorced.
On the cliffs edge, life finally tasted realsalty wind on her face. Or perhaps shed find true happiness yet.
