No, theres really no need for you to come right now, Mum. Just think it through. It’s a long journey, an overnight train, youre not as young as you once were. Theres really no need for all that hassle. And with spring here, I bet youve got loads to be getting on with in your garden, my son tells me.
But why not, love? We havent seen each other in ages. And Im dying to finally meet your wife properlyits about time I got to know my daughter-in-law a bit better, dont you think? I say, honestly.
Well, how about this, Mumgive it till the end of the month and well all come down to you instead. Itll be Easter, well have plenty of days off, my son reassures me.
To be honest, I was already packed and prepared to head out, but I believed him, and agreed to stay home and wait.
But the truth is, no one ended up coming to see me. I tried calling my son a couple of times, but he always declined the call. When he did call me back, he just said he was flat out busy, and told me not to wait up for him.
I was gutted. Id been getting everything ready for my son and his wifes visit. Hed got married half a year ago, and I still hadnt actually met my daughter-in-law.
My son, William, I had him a bit later on in life. I was thirty, never did get married, but I decided I wanted a child of my own more than anything.
Maybe I shouldnt say it, but Ive never once regretted that decision, even though its been tough. We barely scraped by at times. But I always worked extra jobsanything to make sure my boy had what he needed.
He grew up, and then went off to university in London. To help support him at first, I even signed up with a cleaning agency and started taking on extra work over in France, sending back what I could to help with rent and tuition. Theres nothing like a mothers peace of mind, knowing you can help your child.
By his third year William was working part-time himself, and after he graduated and got a proper job, he became fully independent.
Hed come home now and again, but only about once a year. As for London, Im a bit embarrassed to admit Id never even been.
I always thought, when my son gets married, Ill make the trip. I even started saving money for just that occasion. I managed to put away £1,500.
Six months ago, William rang with the news Id been waiting forhe was getting married.
Mum, but listen, dont come up just yet. Were only doing the registry office now, the proper wedding celebration will be later, he told me straight away.
I was disappointed, but what could I do? William did introduce me to his wife Sophie over video call. She seemed perfectly nicevery beautiful, in fact. And from what I gathered, her fathers some big shot, quite wealthy. I could only be happy for himthings really seemed to be working out well.
But as time passed, he still didnt invite me up, nor did he come down to see me. I was aching to meet my daughter-in-law and to hug my son, so I decided enough was enough. I bought my train ticket, packed up some homemade food (even baked bread myself), gathered some preservesand off I went. Then, right before I got on the train, I rang my son.
Mum, are you serious? Why have you done that? Ill be at work, I cant even meet you. Right, heres the address, just order yourself a taxi, William said.
I arrived in London early in the morning, ordered a taxi, and was a bit floored by how much it set me back. But London at dawn really is stunning, so at least I got to enjoy the view from the window.
Sophie, my daughter-in-law, opened the door. She didnt even crack a smile, didnt hug me. Just rather blankly told me to come into the kitchen. My son had already left for the office.
I started unpacking my shopping bagspotatoes, beetroot, eggs, dried apples, pickled mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, a few jars of my jam. Sophie watched silently, then said, quite pointedly, that I really neednt have brought any of it, as they dont eat that sort of thing, and she never cooks at home anyway.
So, what do you eat, then? I asked, genuinely surprised.
We just get meals delivered every day. I cant stand cookingit leaves a horrible smell in the kitchen for ages, Sophie replied.
Before I even had a chance to process all that, a little boy, maybe three or so, toddled in.
This is my sonmeet Henry, Sophie tells me.
Henry? I repeated, for reassurance.
Yes, Henry, not Harry. I dont like people twisting names around.
All right then, as you say, Sophie.
Im not Soph, Im Sophie. People in London know not to mess up names, but you wouldnt know, would you
I wanted to crynot that my son had married a woman with a child, but that hed never told me any of this. And it wasnt the last surprise, either. I glanced at the wall and saw a massive wedding portrait.
Well, at least youve got some lovely photos, even though the wedding didnt happen, I said, trying to steer the conversation.
What do you mean, didnt happen? Of course it didbig do, 200 guests. You just werent there. William said you were unwell. Maybe its for the best, really, Sophie said, giving me a look from head to toe.
Do you want any breakfast?
Yes, please
She put a cup of tea and a few slices of posh cheese in front of me. Apparently, that counts as breakfast.
Not what Im used to, especially after a long journey. I decided Id make myself some eggsId brought homemade bread, too. But Sophie wouldnt let me, said she didnt want the smell in her kitchen.
She wouldnt eat my bread either, saying she and William were on a health kick.
I lost my appetite after that, truthfully. It hurt, knowing my son hadnt wanted me at his wedding. Id waited years for that moment, saving up all that money, and for what?
So I sipped my tea in silence. Sophie didnt say a word. The atmosphere was awkward beyond belief. Then the little one ran over and burrowed into me. I went to give him a cuddle, but Sophie waved her arms like mad and said I shouldnt touch himwho knows where Id been.
I hadnt brought toys or sweets, so I offered Henry a jar of my raspberry jam for his pancakes.
Sophie snatched the jar right out of my hand: How many times do I have to tell you? We eat properly and dont touch sugar!
At that point, I just wanted to burst into tears. I didnt even finish my tea. I put on my shoes and got ready to go. Sophie didnt react at all. Didnt so much as ask where I was headed.
I went and sat on the bench outside the flats and just let myself cry. Id never felt such pain in my life.
A bit later, I saw Sophie take out Henry for a walk. She brought all my homemade preserves and dumped the lot in the bins.
I was speechless. Once shed gone, I gathered it all up, put it back in my bags, and trudged back to the station. I was lucky to get a ticket for the evening train homesomeone mustve cancelled.
Near the station, I found a little café. I bought myself a big bowl of stew, a slab of roast meat, decent potatoes with salad. I was absolutely starving. It cost a fair bit, but honestly, dont I deserve something nice for once?
I checked my bags into left luggage and still had a few hours to take a walk around London. The city is lovely, really. For a little while, I almost forgot everything.
That night on the train, I didnt sleep. I just cried. I felt so hurt because William didnt even ring to check on menot once.
Id have sooner expected snow in July than that my own boy would treat me like this. Hes my only son; all my hopes pinned on him. Turns out he doesnt need me at all.
Now I dont know what to do with the money Id saved for his wedding. Should I just give him those £1,500, so he knows his mum always cared? Or does he not deserve it, after all this?
