My mother-in-law suggested we move into her flat, but its clearly with an agenda.
Thank you ever so much for the offer. Its very generous. But well have to decline.
My mother-in-laws face fell.
And whys that? Too proud, are you?
Its not pride, Susan. Weve just settled in, thats all. Changing schools halfway through the year is tough on the children. Weve grown attached to our place. Weve just redecorated, and everythings new.
Besides, Emily paused, searching for the right words and deciding just to be bluntthere are so many keepsakes in your flat, things with sentimental value. The kids are little, somethings bound to get broken or stained. Why put ourselves through the stress?
Returning home from work, Emily found her husband, James, standing in the hallway, clearly waiting for her.
She took off her shoes and headed silently to their bedroom to get changed, then went straight to the kitchen. James trailed behind her, not saying a word.
Emily couldnt take it anymore.
Are you going to start again? Ive already saidno!
James heaved a long sigh.
Mum phoned again today. Says her blood pressures all over the place. Shes struggling there, Dad and Grandma are getting worse, acting like children. She cant manage on her own.
And?
Emily took a sip of cold water, hoping it would cool her growing irritation. She chose her life in the country, renting out her flat, getting paid, fresh airshe always liked it out there.
She did, but only when she had the energy. Now she says its lonely and tough. Anyway James drew a big breath. Shes offered us her three-bedroom flat.
Emily stared at her husband, then snapped, No.
Why no straight away? You didnt even let me finish! James threw his hands up. Look: the area is brilliant. Fifteen minutes to your office, twenty to mine.
Theres a language school just across the road, nursery in the next street. Well spend less time sitting in traffic.
We could rent out our place, and the mortgage would pay itself. Wed even have money left over.
James, do you hear yourself? Emily moved closer. Weve lived here two and a half years.
I picked out where every socket would go! The kids have friends in the flats next door.
This is finally our own home. Ours!
Does it really matter where we live, if we only come home to sleep? It takes two hours for us to get back from work! he countered. Her flats a proper period propertythree-metre ceilings, thick walls, you dont even hear the neighbours.
And the decor was done when I was still at school, Emily shot back. Have you forgotten that awful smell? And, cruciallyits not our home. Its Susans.
She said she wouldnt interfere. Shell stay in the country, just happy knowing her place is looked after.
Emily gave a wry smile.
James, do you have a memory span of a goldfish? Remember how we bought this flat?
Her husband looked away. Of course, he remembered. Theyd spent seven years moving between rented bedsits, saving every penny.
When they finally had enough for a deposit, James had gone to his mum with a plan: sell her massive three-bed in the centre, buy her a comfortable two-bed, and something decent for them, her son and daughter-in-law.
Susan had nodded, smiled, and said, Of course, you need to spread your wings.
Theyd made plans, already started dreaming. But on the day they were meant to see the estate agent, she called.
Do you remember what she said? Emily pressed. Ive thought it over My areas so refined, the neighbours are all such lovely people. How could I move to some new build full of riff-raff? No, I dont want to.
So theyd gone to the bank and taken out a mortgage with eye-watering interest, bought their flat miles from the ring road. No help from her prestigious postcode.
She was just scared of change, getting older and all, mumbled James. But she says she feels differently now. Shes lonely, wants the grandkids nearby.
Nearby? She sees them once a month when we bring shopping, then complains about the noise giving her a migraine.
Just then, six-year-old Charlie bounded into the kitchen, four-year-old Pippa scampering after him.
Mum, Dad, were hungry! Charlie shouted. And Pippa broke my plane! I spent three hours making it, and she smashed it
Did not! Pippa squeaked. It fell by itself!
Emily sighed.
Right, wash your hands. Dinners ready. Did you make the pasta, James?
Yes, he grumbled. And sausages, too.
As the children clattered about and Emily served dinner, the conversation faded. It didnt come up again until they were in bed that night.
***
On Saturday, they had to drive down to the countrySusan called that morning, her voice weak, saying that Granddad had run out of tablets, and her heart was playing up.
It took them ninety minutes to get there. Susan greeted them on the porch. At sixty-three, she looked remarkably well: perfectly styled hair, glossy nails, and a silk scarf tied playfully around her neck.
Oh good, you managed, she proffered a cheek for a peck. Emily, youve put on weight, havent you? Or is it just that blouse?
Hello, Susan. Its the blouse; its loose fitting, Emily swallowed the little jab easily, as usual.
Inside, Susans parents were napping in front of the telly.
Emily gave a polite greeting, but they barely nodded, eyes glued to the screen.
Would you like a cup of tea? Susan headed for the kitchen. Ive got biscuits, though theyre a bit stale I dont go to the shops much; my legs ache.
Weve brought a cake, said James, setting the box on the table. Mum, lets talk. You mentioned the flat
Susan immediately seemed more lively.
Yes, James, yes. Im out of steam. Lovely here, of coursethe fresh air and all that, but caring for your grandparents is a handful.
But winters so dreary. And my flatstrangers living in it, ruining things. It breaks my heart!
Mum, your tenants are a nice family, James insisted.
Nice! Last time I checked, the curtains were all wonky. And it didnt even smell like my flat anymore.
Why struggle way out where you are? Come and live in mine. Plenty of space for everyone.
Emily glanced at her husband.
Susan, where would you be living, then? she asked, straight to the point.
Susan raised her eyebrows.
Why, here, of course. With your grandparents. Maybe Id pop in to town from time to time, for my check-ups and things. All the doctors know me at my surgery.
From time to timehow often is that, exactly? Emily pressed.
Oh, perhaps once or twice a week. Or for a week here and there, if the weathers foul. Id need my own bedroom. Dont put the children in there, let them have the big room instead, and keep my room as it is, just in case.
Emilys patience snapped.
So, youre offering us a three-bed flat but want one room kept for yourself? Which means wed be crammed into two rooms with the kids?
Why close it off? Susan said, surprised. Use it if you want. Just dont touch my belongings. Or the china cabinetthats all crystal. And the booksJames, remember what I said? Dont touch the library!
James shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Mum, if we do move in, wed have to make the place work for us. A childrens room, new beds
No need for new beds! Theres a perfectly good sofa bedyour father bought it. No point in spending money.
Emily stood up.
James, can we step outside for a moment?
Not waiting for an answer, she left for the porch. James quickly followed, glancing guiltily over his shoulder.
Did you hear that? Emily hissed, Dont touch the sofa, My room, Ill be round for a week. Do you know what this means?
Shes just scared of change
No, James. She wants us to house-sit for free! We wouldnt be able to move a bookshelf!
Shed pop in with her keys whenever she liked, telling me how to hang curtains, make soup, and tidy beds!
But itd be closer to work James said weakly.
Dont care! Id rather sit in traffic for two hours and come home to my own place, where Im in charge.
James stared at his shoes. He understood. Of course he did. The lure of an easy solution had clouded his judgment.
And remember that disaster with the house swap? She bailed on us for the sake of prestige, and now its just boredom. She just wants us nearby so theres someone to nag.
At that moment, Susan appeared in the doorway.
What are you two whispering about?
Emily turned to face her.
We wont be any trouble for you. Were not moving in.
Nonsense, Susan scoffed. James, are you going to let her decide? Youre just nodding along?
James raised his head.
Mum, Emilys right, he said firmly. Were not moving in. We have our own home.
Susan pressed her lips together. She realised shed lost but wasnt going to admit it.
Suit yourselves. I only wanted to help. Dont come crying when youre worn out from the commute.
We wont, James promised. Come on, lets get going. Need anything else from the chemist, Mum?
I dont need anything from you, she snapped and stormed into the house, slamming the door.
The drive back was quiet. The traffic near their neighbourhood had eased, but the satnav still flashed a red line down their road.
Are you cross? Emily asked at the lights.
James shook his head.
No. I pictured Charlie jumping on that sofa bed and Mum having a heart attack. Youre right. It was a bad idea.
Im happy to help, James, she said gently, her hand on his knee. Shopping, medicineeven a carer if she needs one, but were living apart. Thats how a good relationship survives.
Especially with my mother, he laughed.
***
Of course, Susan nursed a grudge against her daughter-in-law and son.
Turns out, shed already kicked out the tenants, certain theyd move in.
For almost a month, she harassed James with endless phone calls.
James stayed stronghe didnt give in to her tactics. Turns out, its actually not that hard to say no when it really matters.
