At eight oclock on a weary Wednesday evening, Natalie unlocked the front door of her two-bedroom flat in Basingstoke, exhaustion etched into every line of her face. She barely crossed the threshold before the piercing wail of her granddaughter echoed down the hallway, raising the tension already coiled in her bones.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she trudged toward the sitting room. There, her daughter Jane and son-in-law Colin lounged on the sofa, eyes glued lazily to the telly. Chaos reigned: toys spewed across the cushions, the bed, even the carpet; the table was a battlefield strewn with sweet wrappers, chicken bones, empty lemonade bottles and coreless apple skins.
Unwashed clothes hung damply on the back of an armchair while, upon a nearby stool, an ill-folded, used nappy lay in plain sight. The air was thick, unbearable, laced with a stench that made Natalies shoulders sink further. She stood for a moment, overcome with hopeless fatigue.
But her granddaughter, twelve-month-old Poppy, spotted her, shrieked with delight, and toddled unsteadily into her arms. Natalie forced herself to smile and cracked open a window, the crisp Hampshire air sweeping inside. She headed straight to the kitchen to compose herself.
The scene in there was nothing short of calamitousthe sink overflowing with greasy crockery, bread crusts strewn about, cold tea pooled amongst shattered mug pieces underneath the table. Her favourite mug, the one her late husband gifted her, was clearly smashed beyond repair. Burnt patties smouldered in a frying pan atop the hobs, and the fridge, except for two lonely eggs and a lump of cheddar, sat bare.
Suddenly Jane burst in, planting a quick kiss on her mums cheek. Evening, Mum! Since youre home now, Colin and I are popping out. Ill just get ready. I fed Poppy about an hour ago.
Natalie spun in confusion. Wait, Janewhere are you both off to?
Jane wrinkled her nose, as if the answer was obvious. Out, obviously. Were seeing a film and might grab some dinner after. Actually, Mum, would you mind lending us a few quid? Were short this week.
From the sitting room, Colin piped up, By the way, Mrs. Harding, you couldnt whip up some leek and potato soup tomorrow, could you? Saw it on the telly this afternoon. Been craving it since! And maybe a fresh salad too. Did you get that posh coffee I like? I dont know how Id cope without my coffee!
Natalie tried not to let her voice crack. But what about me? Ive been at the hospital all day, rushed off my feet, barely had lunch. Im seriously shattered, Jane, I need to put my feet up. Couldnt you take Poppy with you?
Jane rolled her eyes. We cant take her, Mum! Parents are allowed a break, you know. Our marriage is in a crisispsychologists online say we must spend quality time together. Besides, you havent seen Poppy all day. Youll both love the time together. We wont be long, promise.
Before Natalie could muster any retort, Jane darted away. Within minutes, she and Colin had gone, leaving Natalie behind with their daughter.
Alone, Natalie felt the sting of injustice pricking at her eyes. She looked around and saw only her own exhaustiona body expected to clean, provide, soothe, and pay, but nothing else. Her head throbbed ferociously. She knew she ought to get something to eat; she hadn’t had a proper meal since breakfast. But the flat demanded to be tidied, dinner needed making, and Poppy was already reaching for her with sticky hands.
She slumped into a kitchen chair, and tears streaked down her cheekstears from overwhelm, from defeat, from sheer, bewildering loneliness.
Years ago, Jane and Colin had managed on their own, renting a small place on the edge of town. When their landlord threw them out, Jane pleaded, Just let us stay for a few months until we find somewhere. Natalie had, of course, said yes. But there was always an excuse keeping them: too expensive, too far from work, too small, too draughty. Before long, Colin lost his job at the local retail company. Jane swore some colleagues had stitched him up, but he didnt seem in a hurry to find new employment, spending his days idling before the television or glued to his phone.
Janes pregnancy changed everything. It was a fraught, anxious nine monthsspecial hormones, frequent check-ups, scans and prescriptionseach cost landing squarely on Natalies own overworked shoulders. Janes wages barely covered the basics, and Natalies days as an orthopaedic nurse in the private clinic grew longer while her savings withered. Colin and Jane did not bother paying bills or buying groceries. Yet, they insisted on choice dinners, dessert with tea, fruit fresh from the market.
Natalie wanted to protest, to urge them to move on, but the fear of alienating her only daughter left her tongue-tied. How could she cast out a pregnant woman? Guilt and obligation shackled her, and she tolerated everything, clocking extra shifts to keep the peace.
A sudden knock roused her. She wiped her eyes and opened the door to find her oldest friend, Helen, standing on the landing, a look of concern on her face. Natalie hesitated, embarrassed by the chaos, but there was nothing for it. She welcomed Helen in.
Helen said nothing, but got to work, fetching eggs and cream from the fridge, washing up a pan, and setting about making an omelette. Once little Poppy dozed off on Natalies lap, she tucked her into the cot in Janes room and came back. The aroma of supper filled the kitchen.
Helen slid a plate toward Natalie and squeezed her shoulder gently. Eat, Nat. Lord knows, you need it. Youre looking pale as milk. When did you last have a proper meal? Or a full nights sleep for that matter? Youve got to stop running yourself ragged. Jane and Colin are draining the life out of you. This cant go on.
Natalie stared at her food, beaten down. But what do I do, Helen? Theyve nowhere to go, and theres Poppy…I cant just kick them onto the street.
Helen leaned close, voice soft but firm. Of course you can. Why should they fend for themselves while you pay their way? Youre not doing themor yourselfany favours. At some point, Nat, they have to learn to stand on their own. I wont watch you sacrifice yourself for them anymore. If you wont say it, I will.
Natalie nodded tearfully, realisation blooming in her chest. This burden could not continue. She promised Helen shed speak to Jane and Colin when they got home. They cleaned the kitchen together, and Helen brewed a cup of chamomile tea, kneading the tension from Natalies shoulders as they waited.
Jane and Colin stumbled in at eleven, bags in hand, trying not to meet Natalies gaze. They tensed at the sight of Helen, never Janes favourite person. Jane muttered a cold greeting to Helen, who shot back, Hope you enjoyed your night out. Back so early? Surely you couldve painted the town till sunrise!
Jane turned on her heel, Mum, were going to bed, she snapped, rebuffing Helen, but Natalie stood and stopped her.
Jane, please, both of youcome and sit down. We need to talk.
Jane called Colin into the room, both uneasy as they perched on the sofa. Colin asked, Is everything all right, Mrs. Harding?
No. Not really, Natalie replied, her voice trembling but determined. It’s time. You two need to look for somewhere else to live. Ill give you a week. After that, you’ll need to find your own place. This is my final decision. Youre a young familyyou must learn to live independently.
Janes face crumpled. Mum! You cant! Where are we supposed to go? Im on maternity leave, Im not working. We have nothinghow will we survive?
Youll manage, Natalie said quietly. Youre adults, Jane. You wanted to build a family, now you have to take responsibility for it. I cant protect you from lifes troubles forever. What if something happened to me tomorrow? You need to see things as they really are.
How could you? What sort of mother are you, throwing out your daughter and her baby? Youre cruelyoure no mother to me! Jane wailed accusingly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Helen interjected, controlled fury in her voice, Thats enough, Jane. Dont speak to your mother like that. Go to your room, calm down, and think about everything shes just said. I wont allow you to treat her like this.
Colin, red-faced, exploded, This is all your fault! Youve poisoned her mind, interfering where youre not wanted! Why cant you just butt out and go home to your own problems?
Tension was thick, tempers up, when a fresh bout of Poppys crying from the bedroom cut through the row. Jane and Colin stormed off, slamming their door.
Helen squeezed Natalies hand. Im here. You did the right thing.
Within the week, Jane and Colin moved out. Jane stopped speaking to her mother, flooding her with bitter words, as if every good deed had been burned away by a single moment of resolve. Natalie, now alone in her quiet flat, mourned that loss deeplybut she knew she had chosen wisely, for her own sake and, in time, perhaps even theirs.
Sometimes, even children need a hard lesson to avoid tumbling into oblivion. And perhaps one day, Jane would look back and realise that Natalie had acted out of love, even if it cost them both dearly in the moment.
