In the quiet town of Sheffield, nestled in a cosy flat along the River Don, the lives of Emily and her husband, William, once flowed peacefully—until the day her mother-in-law, Margaret Whitmore, took centre stage in a drama of her own making. Their tale is one where good intentions became a test of patience and the bonds of family.
After their wedding, Emily and William settled into their own home. Their children had long since grown and started families of their own, leaving the couple alone in their spacious flat. Believing that loneliness weighed too heavily upon William’s mother, Margaret, they invited her to live with them.
“She’s family, after all,” Emily would say to her husband. “And she’ll lend a hand around the house.”
Margaret often lamented how bleak her empty flat felt, especially at night when the silence grew unbearable. Without hesitation, Emily opened her home, certain it would strengthen their family ties.
At first, all seemed well. Margaret threw herself into household tasks—she and Emily cleaned, cooked, and swapped recipes. Emily felt their relationship was built on mutual respect. Margaret appeared grateful, and harmony filled the house.
With Margaret’s help, Emily found more time to return to her hobby: knitting to order.
“It won’t make us rich,” she’d say to friends, showing off her work, “but every little helps the household.”
She knitted Margaret a few jumpers, which the older woman wore proudly, boasting to neighbours. For two years, there were no quarrels, and Emily began to believe they’d struck the perfect balance.
Then, slowly, things changed. Emily noticed Margaret slyly avoiding chores. She never outright refused, but dishes piled up, floors went unswept, and supper was left uncooked. Returning from work, Emily spent evenings finishing what should have been done.
“I try to plan my time,” Emily sighed. “I want to keep up with the house and my orders. But because of Margaret, everything falls apart. Clients grow impatient, deadlines slip.”
Her hobby, once a source of joy and income, was now in jeopardy. Emily disliked housework, but worse was the guilt towards customers when she fell behind. Time for knitting melted away like spring frost, while weariness settled like a lead weight.
Emily tried speaking to Margaret, gently explaining she needed help as before. But Margaret pretended not to understand.
“I do everything!” she protested. “What more do you want?”
Emily suggested dividing chores clearly: she’d take on all housework to avoid relying on Margaret. Instead of understanding, she was met with offence. Like a child denied a toy, Margaret hurried to complain to William.
“Emily’s being cruel!” she lamented. “I do my best, yet nothing pleases her!”
William, without hearing Emily’s side, frowned in confusion.
“What’s got into you? Why are you picking on Mum?”
Emily tried to explain, but Margaret turned it into a game. One day, she’d “fall ill,” clutching her chest and moaning of weakness—only to miraculously recover when it suited her. Emily felt trapped: each time she hoped for help, the cycle repeated.
“I stopped counting on her,” Emily admitted. “I plan as if she’s not here. But orders have dropped—clients leave. It hurts us all, since the knitting money went into our budget.”
Strangely, once income dwindled, Margaret suddenly pitched in again. Dishes gleamed, floors shone, and supper appeared on the table. Emily suspected it was all a ploy for attention.
“Perhaps she’s lonely?” Emily wondered. “We try to be with her—walks in the park, visits. Yet the moment I take a new order, she’s ‘ill’ again.”
Now Emily faces a choice. Margaret’s helping once more—she could take more commissions. But what if the pattern repeats? Missed deadlines, angry clients, William’s disapproval?
“I don’t know what to do,” Emily murmurs, staring at an unfinished jumper. “If I turn down orders, we lose money. But if I trust her and she plays games again, I can’t manage.”
What should Emily do? Forgive Margaret’s theatrics and take the risk? Or take control, sacrificing her craft? Is she overreacting—does Margaret truly need care? Or is this a game Emily can never win?
