“Mum, you’ve had your fun at our cottage, now pack up and head back,” the daughter-in-law shooed her mother-in-law off the property.
Emily still couldnt believe it. Had they actually bought their own countryside retreat at last? Theyd dreamed of this for ten long years, but life kept throwing obstacles in their waymortgages, childrens school fees, another financial crisis. Now, after checking their savings, they decided: it was now or never.
Her husband, William, worked at an insurance firmnothing extraordinarywhile Emily was a paediatric physiotherapist. She earned well enough, but a country house had always seemed out of reach. Then fate intervened: both her grandmother and Williams passed away within months of each other, each leaving them a flat in provincial towns.
After lengthy discussions, they agreed to sell both properties, pool the money, and finally chase their dreambuying a plot of land.
They found a listing quickly. Few people sell in winter, preferring to wait for summer buyers. But William was adamant.
“Well find a million excuses later and end up with nothing,” he grumbled.
Emily agreed wholeheartedly. Everything was falling into place!
The plot was perfectelectricity, gas, utilities all connected. All they needed was to build a small summer house.
Come spring, William took leave and, with his best mate Nigel, got to work. They were efficient, hardly taking breaks, and within a month, the family celebrated their housewarming.
There wasnt much space to sleepjust air mattresses and blankets brought from the citybut the essentials were there: a stove and running water. The rest could wait.
“Heres to you, William!” Nigel raised a pint.
The men knocked back their drinks, grabbed kebabs slathered in onions and ketchup, and dug in.
“Whod have thought itd happen so fast?” Emily marvelled. “At New Years, I never imagined wed have our own cottage, and here we are!” She gestured proudly at the house.
Though dusk settled, the group lingered outside, enjoying their makeshift barbecue under the open sky.
“Hello, love, hows everything?” Margarets voice softened over the phone.
That tone always meant trouble.
“Brilliant, Mum!” William chirped.
“Oh, I know. The grandkids mentioned youve bought a place?”
“Thats rightnot just a cottage, a proper country estate!” William boasted.
“Oh, dont be silly,” Margaret laughed theatrically before her voice dimmed. “Well, good for you…”
“How are you, Mum?” William asked belatedly.
“At my age? The doctors say I need peace, quiet, no stress but where do I find that? Spas cost a fortune…”
“Mum, come stay with us!” he offered brightly.
“Oh, love, I couldnt! As if youve got nothing better to do! And Emily wont want me underfoot…”
“Dont be daft. Just come.”
“Fine, if you insist. Ill bake your favouritemy Victoria sponge.”
When William told Emily, she was less than thrilled.
“So, we get a cottage, and suddenly her doctors prescribe fresh air?” she scoffed.
“Yeah,” William replied simply.
“Not suspicious at all, is it?”
“No, shes got high blood pressure.”
“Will, shes not coming for her health. Shes coming to snoop!”
“Dont start. Shell stay a week and go home.”
“Forgotten her last visit?”
William had, but Emily hadnt. Margaret had done everything to sabotage their marriagespreading gossip, stirring fights, hinting their eldest son “wasnt their blood.” Petty tricks too: oversalting meals, swapping sugar for salt. Emily had sent her packing on the first train.
She had no doubt Margaret would stir the pot again. But badmouthing her to William wouldnt help. Maybe, just maybe, this time would be different?
“Oh, its simply lovely here! A little paradise!” Margaret gushed over the cottage. “Emily, youve outdone yourself! Hold onto her, Willa wife like this is rare!”
“Since when the praise?” Emily frowned.
“Youve always been my favourite. My sons a fool, but you? A gem. Weve had our spats, but let bygones be bygones.”
“Im the fool?” William chuckled.
“Yes, but my fool,” Margaret beamed. “Now, whats for dinner?”
“Barbecue every night!” Emily smiled. “Hope thats alright?”
“Delightful! Last time I had kebabs was in Brighton when Will was in schoolimagine!”
“Will, tend the grill. Ill fetch the meat.”
“Mind if I join? Id love another look at the house.”
“Of course!”
This time, Margaret was differentwarm, joking, kind to Emily. Maybe people change. Maybe past grudges had softened her. Why would she ruin their marriage now? Theyd built a life togetherkids, careers, this cottage. And Emily was a good wife: loyal, hardworking, a fine cook.
While William and his mum fetched plates, his phone buzzed face-up. Emilys gaze caught the message, freezing her in place.
*”When are you back in town? Did you tell her about us? Im waiting. Kisses.”*
The phone slipped from her hand onto the grass. Thoughts spiralled*Who is she? How do we tell the kids? How could he?*
“Plates are here!” William announced.
“I need a minute.” Emily couldnt face him. She rushed inside, splashing cold water on her face.
“Whats wrong?” Margaret recoiled, fumbling a ketchup bottle.
Tears mixed with water as Emily scrubbed her face. Finally, she looked up.
“Williams seeing someone.”
“Oh, love…” Margaret hugged her, unsurprised.
“You knew?”
“I hoped hed snap out of it. Youve been together since unikids, this place. Like I said, hes a fool.”
Emily sobbed. If hed told his mother, it was serious. Their marriage was over.
“Listen. Dry your tears. No scenes, yes?”
Emily nodded.
“Well handle it. I wont let her have him.”
The words steadied her.
Next morning, William left for town”to fetch warmer clothes,” he said, citing a forecast.
Emily knew the truth. Playing along, she stayed silent.
Once his car vanished, Margaret laid out her plan.
“You need a man.”
“What?!”
“Not seriously. Just to make him jealous. Sometimes men forget what theyve got. If he sees you wanted, he might wake up.”
Absurd, but there was logic.
“Who?”
“Nigel. He helped build this place.”
“Call him. Barbecue, drinks, a short dress. Let Will come home to his spot taken!” Margaret grinned.
To Emilys shock, Nigel agreed. Arriving, he asked, “Wheres Will?”
“Back tonight. Im hopeless at grillingneed a mans touch,” she demurred.
Margaret watched from the window.
“More wine?” Nigel offered.
“Go easyIm a lightweight,” Emily flirted.
“Youre stunning, Em. Shame Ive no one like you. Dont tell Will I said that.”
She blushed. What if he made a move? Not that she owed William anything now.
A car screeched up the drive. William stormed out.
“What the hells going on?!”
“Back so soon?” Emily feigned surprise.
“Mum rang saying some bloke was all over you! And its Nigel?!”
“Like you care. Sort out your mistress.”
“What mistress?”
“The one you raced to town for! I saw the text!”
“I saw it toothought it was a wrong number. Theres no one!”
Emily glanced at the window. Margaret yanked the curtains shut.
“Mum! Get out here!”
“Oh, it was just a joke!” Margaret cackled. “Your faces!”
“Breaking our marriage is a joke?!”
“Ill go,” Nigel muttered, but no one listened.
“You planned this? The text?”
“Course! Two phones, darling.” She smirked, unrepentant.
“Mum, this isnt funny. I nearly lost my family and best friend.”
“But you didnt! Im strengthening your bond! Retirements dullI need fun.”
“Have it elsewhere. Will will fetch your things. Youre leaving in the morning,” Emily said firmly, steering her out.
“Youre throwing me out?!”
“Youve had your fun. Now clear off.”
“Where do I sleep?!”
“The car. Its not winteryoull live.”
At dawn, William drove her to the station in silence.
