I dont work for you anymore!
Im not your maid anymore!
Hello, darling! Ive got a huge surprise for you! Make your signature dish for dinner tonight!
Whats happened? Laura asked anxiously.
Everythings fine! 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 hadnt lifted her spiritsafter twenty-five years of marriage, hed never sprung surprises on her, let alone big ones.
The doorbell rang just as she pulled her signature roast with secret gravy from the oven.
Hello, love! Smells delicious! Paul exclaimed cheerfully, slamming a bottle of wine onto the table. Set the table! The hunters home!
Why are you so excited? Oh, the hunter? Laura gave him a look.
Just need to wash my hands, then Ill dish up.
Pouring wine into glasses, Paul raised his with a flourish. A toast to the best husband and father in the world! And to us and to a brilliant two-week holiday at a three-star seaside resort!
For a moment, Laura almost smileduntil he added:
Did you know Marks a certified scuba diver?
What? she blinked.
Oh, come on, Mum! Mark, our darling Emilys husband!
Whats Mark or Emily got to do with this?
Laura, honestly! Have you been cooped up too long? Were all going togetherone big family holiday!
Laura set her glass down without drinking. She sighed, exhaustion in her eyes.
Who paid for the trip?
Me, of course! Paul thumped his chest proudly.
So youve spent twenty-five years promising me a tropical getaway, only to drag Emily and Mark along? I see them every day! They never cook because they always eat here! You even buy their groceries and pay their rent because they cant handle “adult responsibilities.”
But Emily
What about Emily?! I had her at eighteen! Told myself Id have a life later! And now? Im forty-five. Seen nothing, been nowhere. Work from home. Stuck at the sink and stove.
Tears welled in her eyes. The lump in her throat tightened.
Laura loved her daughter but couldnt stand her son-in-law. She believed adults should stand on their own feet. At eighteen, shed been pregnant and married, with no help. Her husband, a lab assistant, contributed little. Shed trained as an accountant and still managed the books for several firms. The weight of the familys wellbeing often fell on her shoulders.
Laura! Pauls voice turned sharp. Whats with the drama? We spend plenty of time together, but the kids are still finding their waythey need support!
Did you ever think about what *I* need?
Of course! Youre coming too! Whats the problem?
The problems probably me she whispered, rising from the table and walking out.
The next day, Emily dropped by.
Hi, Mum! Brought lunch, she waved a frozen pizza box.
Hi. Microwaves there, Laura said, settling at her desk.
Mum, whats wrong? Marks coming soonthought youd whip up some soup and tea.
Kitchens there, Laura repeated, eyes fixed on her screen.
Why so moody? Dad said you didnt appreciate his gift.
To understand me, youd have to *be* me, Laura murmured.
Whats that supposed to mean? I visit, and you act like Im not here! Thought wed go through my wardrobe, then shop for the holiday. Thats why I invited Markto help carry bags!
Laura stood abruptly.
Listen, Emily. Cant you see Im working? Twenty-seven years, Ive worked for you all! So your dad can lounge jobless on the sofa. So my daughter can treat me like a free chef and ATM.
She drew a breath to continue, but the doorbell cut her off. Mark arriveda thirty-something with a thick beard and a perpetual hoverboard.
Afternoon, Aunt Laura! Brought a little gift! From the whole teamPaul chipped in too! He pulled a blender from his backpack. Sorry, no box. Wouldnt fit. But all the attachments are here.
Isnt it great, Mum? You love cookingperfect for the lady of the house!
Laura forced a smile and left.
Whats her problem? Mark muttered.
No idea. Dad probably messed up. Lets go.
What? Not even eating?
Take the pizza. Eat at home.
Hate frozen pizza. Prefer fresh pastries.
Then bake some! Emily snapped.
As the door shut, Laura buried her face in her hands.
Maybe Im a terrible wife and mother
A flood of dark thoughts brought restless dreams.
She dreamed of little Emily, crying with tummy aches. Of bullies in the playground, Laura shielding her. Of Pauls pay cut, Laura taking extra work. Then she dreamed of runningMark chasing her on his hoverboard.
Suddenly silence. She stood on a hilltop. A river wound below, mountains stretched beyond, sunset painting their peaks.
Waking, Laura knew what to do.
Hi, love! Im home! Hows your day? Emily said you skipped shopping and hated the gift.
I dont need anything from the shops.
What about a swimsuit? A sunhat? Do I need shorts?
Go buy them. Im not coming. Not shopping, not the beach! Ive got my own ocean. Sort your own prep. Dont disturb meIve got work.
Paul froze.
What about money? Ive already paid.
Call it compensation for my stress.
Paul snorted loudlyhis ultimate insult. He stayed silent. Laura didnt mind.
Two days later, she finished her work, packed warm clothes and her laptop, and called him.
Hello. Changed your mind? Ive forgiven you.
I dont care, Paul, Laura said calmly. Calling to say Im leaving for a work trip. Dont know how long. Check the mail, pay the rent.
Hanging up, she breathed easier. Smiling at her reflection, she walked out.
The long flight didnt dull her wonder. The hotel, the serviceall a blur.
Thenthe moment! Smoking volcanoes on one side! Endless ocean on the other! Laura inhaled deeply, watching the sunset paint the cliffs of Cornwall crimson.
Meanwhile, on a beach far away, Paul and Mark spent their fourth day with food poisoning. Emily nursed them, scolding her dad for his cheapness. The “luxury resort” was a far cry from her dreams. She raged; Paul blamed her selfishness. Mark suffered. His beard itched unbearably
Do I have to shave?! he groaned, sprinting to the loo. Do something!
What?
Get me medicine!
I dont know what
Call Mum! Shell know!
Mums phones off.
They all regretted Lauras absence deeply. The holiday was literally “down the pan.”
Laura returned a month later. A cake and sausages waited on the table.
Im moving to Cornwall, she said. If anyone wants to join, well talk. Everything else is non-negotiable.
Well visit, Mum Emily sighed, letting her go.
Paul ranted, threatened, raged. But Laura had left the past behind. Two months later, they divorced.
On the cliffs edge, life had real flavour! The salt-kissed wind Or perhaps shed find true happiness yet
