Oh, the mother-in-law
When Eleanor walked into the flat, she spotted her mother-in-laws shoes right in the middle of the hallway. Straight away, she knew her evening wouldnt be peaceful.
Florence Victorovna appeared from the kitchen with the look of a prosecutor in a courtroom.
Off seeing that daft old woman again, were you? she snapped. Never mind your husband, your child, or this houseall left to fend for themselves. Good thing I dropped by, or theyd have gone hungry.
Florence, Nicholas knew Id be late tonight, Eleanor replied calmly. I made dinnerall he had to do was heat it up. He wouldve managed perfectly well without your help.
After ten years of marriage, Eleanor was used to Florences constant complaints. She barely reacted anymore, tuning her out like a radio left on all day.
But it hadnt always been this easy. Florence was her second mother-in-law. The firstMargarethad been thoughtful, never intruding, never offering unsolicited advice, never forcing herself where she wasnt wanted.
Yet shed always been there when needed. Eleanor still remembered how Margaret would sit up all night with baby Catherine when shed mixed up day and night, how shed whisk her granddaughter off for walks just so Eleanor could nap.
Dont lift a finger, shed say. Just sleep. Alex will handle dinner when he gets home.
When Catherine turned five, Alex was killed in an accident at work.
Margaret, whod lost her only son, didnt abandon Eleanor or her granddaughter. For the first three months, they even lived together, leaning on each other.
Eleanor suggested they stay that way, but Margaret moved back to her own flat.
Youre only twenty-eight, love, she said. Youll find happiness again. I wont clutter up your life.
Three years later, Eleanor married Nicholas. But she never left Margaret behind. With her own parents far away, her first mother-in-law became like familyand Catherine adored her.
So Florences behaviouracting like she owned the placewas a shock.
After her first visit, Eleanor asked Nicholas to explain that his mother was a guest here, not the lady of the house. Florence claimed she only wanted to help, but Eleanor wasnt having it.
Im not eighteen, she said. Ive been managing on my own since I left home. And after seven years of marriage, I dont need lessons in cooking or cleaning. If anything, I could teach *you* a thing or two.
To his credit, Nicholas backed her up. Over time, Florence learned to keep her nose out of Eleanors businessthough she clearly itched to interfere.
The problem was, Florence had a friend who bragged about training her own daughter-in-law. Florence wanted stories of her own, but all she had was bitterness over Eleanors bond with Margaret.
As if that old woman were real family! shed grumble. When Catherine was little, I didnt mindshed send her to Margarets in summer. But now the girls at university, and Eleanor still visits her two or three times a week!
Lately, those visits had been more frequent. Florence called Margaret that old woman, though she was only seven years older. But grief and illness had aged her, and Eleanor made sure she was cared forwhether in hospital or at home.
Wasting family money on an outsider, Florence muttered.
Dont worry, Eleanor shot back. Margaret sold her cottage. Shes got plenty for treatmentshe wont be borrowing from *you*.
When Margaret grew weaker, Eleanor hired a carer and took time off to be with her. But it wasnt enoughsoon, she was gone.
Thats when Florence suddenly took an interest in the will.
She sold the cottage, but surely theres money left. And her pension was decentmustve had savings. That two-bed flats definitely going to someone.
She finally asked Nicholasbut the answer didnt please her.
Whos the will for? Catherine, of course. Shes Margarets granddaughter.
And Eleanor gets nothing? Florence gasped. After all that running around? Oh, shell be *devastated*!
Im not, Eleanor said coolly. I knew Margaret was leaving everything to CatherineI took her to the solicitor myself.
Then why bother with her? Florence demanded. Let Catherine look after her!
Id explain, Eleanor said, but I doubt youd understand.
The flat went to Catherine, who decided to rent it out while she studied. The money would go straight to her accountuseful for a mortgage later.
When Florence heard, she saw an opportunity.
Why let strangers wreck the place? Let my Jessica live there!
Jessica, Florences younger daughter, was thirty-five, still at home, and perpetually single. Florence was convinced a flat would help her land a husband.
Its Catherines flat, Eleanor reminded her.
For now, Florence thought. In a few years, who knows? Maybe Catherine will marry someone with property. Then we can convince her to *gift* it to Jessica.
But Catherine refused.
She wont pay proper rent, she said. And Ill need every penny for my future.
Youre *selfish*, Florence hissed at Eleanor. Both of you! Jessica couldve married with a flat!
Mum, *youve* got a three-bedder, Nicholas pointed out. Downsizebuy a one-bed for Jessica.
*Excuse me?* Florence spluttered. Thats *my* flatIve lived there my whole life! Why should I squeeze into some box now?
Funny, that, Eleanor said. You wont sacrifice *your* home for Jessica, but youll demand someone elses.
So Jessica stayed put. Catherine rented out the flat, sold it after graduation, and bought a new placethough London didnt tempt her for long.
As they saythe grass is always greener
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