My mother-in-law suggested we move into her flat, and I could just tell there was a bit of calculation behind that offer.
Thank you so much for suggesting it. Thats really generous of you. But well have to pass.
You shouldve seen Susans face drop.
Oh, whys that? Bit proud, are we?
No, its not that. Were just settled where we are. For the kids, switching schools in the middle of the year is stressful. And, to be honest, weve only just finished renovating. Everythings new and just how we like it.
And at yours I paused, searching for the right words, then decided to just be blunt. Youve got so many things there that are meaningful to you. Our two will no doubt break something or make a mess. Its just unnecessary stress for everyone.
When I got home from work, Tom was waiting in the hallway, clearly expecting me.
I took off my shoes and headed silently to the bedroom to change. Then I went through to the kitchen, Tom quietly trailing after me.
Eventually, I had enough.
Are you going to bring it up again? I said no.
Tom gave a heavy sigh.
Mum phoned again today. She said her blood pressures all over the place. Things are tough for her there, especially with Grandad and Nana going downhill, acting like children she says. Shes on her own and struggling.
And? I took a gulp of cold water, trying to keep my frustration in check. She chose to live at the cottage, didnt she? She rents her flat out, gets money, fresh air. She liked it there.
Well, she liked it when she was feeling up to it. Now she says shes bored and its just so hard. So Tom took a breath. Shes offered for us to move into her three-bed.
I stared at him and snapped, No.
Why no straight away? Youre not even listening! Tom threw his hands in the air. Look: that areas perfect. Its, what, fifteen minutes to your office and twenty to mine? The school across the road does languages, theres a nursery in the same street. Wed stop spending hours in traffic!
Plus, if we rent this place out, the mortgage pays itself off, maybe even a bit left over.
Tom, do you hear yourself? I stood right in front of him. Weve lived here two and a half years. I chose where every plug socket would go! The kids friends are literally next door. This is finally our home. Ours!
Does it matter where we live when youre only home to sleep anyway? It takes us two hours to get back after work! he argued. Her flats a proper old one, high ceilings, thick wallsyou dont hear the neighbours!
And the décor hasnt changed since I was in secondary school, I shot back. Did you forget the smell? And more importantly its not our home. Its Susans.
She said she wouldnt interfere. Shell stay at the cottage, just peace of mind, knowing her flats being looked after.
I gave a bitter little laugh.
Tom, have you completely forgotten how we bought this place? Remember?
He looked away. Of course he remembered. Wed spent seven years hopping between pokey rented places, saving every penny. When we finally had enough for the deposit, Tom went to his mum with the perfect plan: swap her big central three-bed for a decent two-bed for her, and something nice for us.
Susan just nodded and smiled back then, saying, Of course, darling, youll be needing more space soon with the kids growing.
Wed even looked at places. Wed started to dream. Then, the very day we were due to sign with the estate agent, she rang us.
Remember what she said? I pressed on. Ive thought it over My areas so lovely, all the neighbours are professionals. How could I move out to some new estate with, you know, anyone and everyone? No, thank you.
And we ended up getting a mortgage with a huge interest rate to buy this place five miles outside the North Circular. All by ourselves. No prestige.
Well, she made a mistake, I suppose. Change is hard at her age, Tom mumbled. Now, shes lonely. She wants her grandkids nearby.
The grandkids she sees for half an hour a month when we visit with shoppingand starts complaining about the noise giving her a headache after twenty minutes?
Just then, six-year-old Oliver ran in, with four-year-old Maisie stomping after him.
Mum, Dad, were hungry! Oliver yelled. Maisie broke my plane! I built it for three hours and she smashed it!
No I didnt! Maisie squeaked. It just fell!
I sighed. Right, hands washed. Time to eat. Dad, did you make the pasta?
I did, Tom grumbled. And sausages.
While the kids clattered around and I dished up, the conversation paused. We picked it back up that night, after wed gone to bed.
***
Saturday came, and we had to drive down to the cottage. Susan rang that morning, weak voice and all, saying Grandad had run out of tablets and she was feeling a bit tight in the chest.
It took forever to get there. When we arrived, Susan was waiting on the porch. For sixty-three, she looked annoyingly good: perfect hair, nails, silk scarf tied at her neck like she was royalty.
Oh, you got here then, she said, holding her cheek up for a kiss. Rosie, have you put on a few pounds? Or is it just that blouse?
Hello to you too, Susan. The blouse is just loose, I brushed off the usual dig.
We headed inside. In the lounge, Toms grandparents were glued to the telly, barely acknowledging us.
Fancy a cuppa? Susan called from the kitchen. Ive got some biscuits. Bit stale, mind I barely get to the shops these days, legs are playing up.
We brought cake, Tom said, putting the box on the table. Mum, we should talk about the flat
Susan immediately perked up.
Oh, Tommy, I just havent the energy for it all. Lovely out here, lots of nature, and your grandparents need me, but in the winter Oh, its deathly dull. And then the flats just sitting there, tenants are strangers, dont look after it. Breaks my heart!
Mum, your tenants are nice proper family, Tom pointed out.
Nice, huh? Susan scoffed. Last time I popped in, the curtain was hung wonky, and it smelled not right. So why are you all putting up with that place out in the sticks? Move into my flat. Theres enough space for you all.
I glanced at Tom.
Susan, where would you live? I asked.
She looked surprised. Here, obviously. With your grandparents. Might pop back to town sometimes, see my doctor, get some tests done. Know everyone at my old surgery.
Only be every now and then, couple of times a week maybe, or for a week at a time if the weathers bad. Id keep my room, of course. Dont put the kids in there, let them have the big room. Best keep my bedroom just for me, you never know.
I felt myself getting angry.
So, you want us to move into a three-bed, but leave one room locked for you? So wed all be squeezed into the other two?
Locked? No, of course not. Just dont touch my things. Or the china cabinet theres crystal in there. And my books. Tom, you remember, dont you? No one messes with my library!
Tom shifted awkwardly in his seat. Mum, if we moved in, wed have to sort out the bedrooms, maybe put in some kids beds
Why bother? Theres a perfectly good sofa bed. Your dad bought it. No need to waste money.
I stood up abruptly. Tom, a word?
I went out to the porch without waiting for a reply. Tom caught up a moment later, glancing apologetically at the door.
You heard her? I hissed. Dont touch the sofa, my room, and Ill be coming for a week at a time? Do you not see whats going on?
Shes just scared of change
No, Tom! She just wants free house-sitters. We wont even be able to move a cupboard! Shell be coming and going whenever she likes, popping in with her key and telling me how to hang curtains, cook stew, or make the beds.
But its closer to work, Tom offered weakly.
I dont care! Id rather sit in traffic for two hours and come home to a place thats mine where I can live how I like.
Tom said nothing, staring at his shoes. He knew. He definitely knew. But the lure of an easy fix had clouded his judgement.
And another thing, I folded my arms. Remember what happened with the flat swap? She let us down because prestige was more important. Now shes just bored and wants us nearby so she can nag someone. Thats all.
At that moment, Susan opened the door and peered out.
Whats all the whispering for?
I turned to her. We dont want to put you out. Were not moving in.
Nonsense, she huffed. Tom, you just let your wife decide everything these days, do you?
Tom raised his head. Mum, Rosies right. Were not moving in. We have our own home now.
Susan pressed her lips together, realising she couldnt win, but wouldnt admit it.
Well, have it your way. I was only trying to help. Live in your traffic jams if you want, dont come crying later on.
We wont, Tom promised. Well head off now, Mum. Are you sure you dont need anything else?
Im fine, thank you very much, she snapped, marching into the house and slamming the door behind her.
We drove home in silence. The traffic had finally cleared, but the sat nav was still showing a red line around our estate.
Are you angry? I asked as we waited at a red light.
Tom shook his head. No. I just pictured Oliver bouncing on Dads old sofa bed and Mum having a full-blown meltdown. Youre right. It was a terrible idea.
Im not saying we wont help, Tom, I said gently, putting my hand on his knee. If she needs shopping, medicine, whatever, well sort it. We can even find a carer if things get tough. But were living separately.
Keeping a bit of distance is what keeps things civil.
Especially with my mum, he chuckled.
***
Of course, Susan did hold a grudge against me and Tom for a while. Shed apparently already told the tenants to leave, certain wed be moving in. She spent a month badgering Tom with phone calls.
But Tom held firm he didnt fall for her games. Turns out, it isnt so hard to say no when you really need to.
