Emily and her mother-in-law sat huddled on the old bed, bundled up against the winter chill. The cottage had only just been warmed by the newly lit fireplace.
“Dont worry, Mum,” Emily reassured her. “Well be alright. We wont starve. Here, let me give you your medicine.”
She did her best to comfort the older womanthough she wasnt her mother at all, but her former mother-in-law. Almost former, anyway.
Life had once been shared by threeher mother-in-law Margaret, her son Daniel, and his wife Emily.
Emily had married late, at thirty. She was Daniels second wifehis first marriage had already ended when they met.
Margaret had taken to Emily at once. And Emily, orphaned young and alone in the world, found in Margaret the warmth of family she had lost.
“Thick as thieves,” Daniel would grumble about them.
Five years of marriage passed in a blinkuntil Daniel turned harsh and quick-tempered. He shouted at Emily, at Margaret. The reason? A mistress. He came home late, reeking of drink.
One day, he announced he was leaving her. She had two days to pack. Before Emily could even move out, his new woman arrived with a suitcase.
Perhaps she had come deliberately, eager to gloat. But she wasnt what Emily expecteda tall blonde with pouty lips and cow-like lashes she could barely blink behind.
Emily couldnt help but laugh.
“You traded me for this this doll with cows lashes? I dont regret a thing.”
“At least shes fun,” Daniel sneered. “You and Mum are just two old hens.”
“Insult me if you must, but why hurt your mother?”
“Darling,” the blonde simpered, batting her lashes, “why should we keep his mother? Let her take her. We dont need her here.”
“Thats right, Mum,” Daniel said coldly. “Time to move on.”
“Where will I go?” Margaret clutched her chest. “I gave you all the money from my flat sale to build this house!”
“Enough drama. Stay if you must, but keep to your room. Albinas the lady of the house now.”
“Sweetheart, just send them both away.”
“Shes my mother!”
“Yours? So Im meant to have her as my mother-in-law? Oh, darling”
Emily had heard enough.
“Mum, will you come with me to the countryside?”
“Better there than with a son like this and that creature.”
“Sit tight. Ill pack your things.”
“Dont forget my medicine. And my jewellery box. And my handbag.”
Emily grabbed another suitcase, tossing in clothes, documents, everything they needed.
“Take it all,” Albina chirped. “We dont want your junk.”
Daniel said nothing. He knew his mother would never forgive himor maybe she would. She was his mother, after all.
Half an hour later, Emily stood by the car. Margaret sat inside, quietly wiping tears. She didnt look back at her son.
Its cruel when all youve given is thrown away.
“How will we manage, love?” Margaret whispered.
“Well be fine. Ive savings enough until I find work. You have your pension. Well get by.”
They drove to the village where Emily had spent her childhood. The cottage was freezing, but Emily lit the fire, fetched water, put the kettle on.
“Youd think youd lived here all your life,” Margaret murmured.
“My grandfather taught me well. Good thing we shoppedno gossipy village shops for me.”
As the cottage warmed, the knocking came.
“Neighbour back at last? Saw your car. What brings you here in winter? Trouble?”
“Alls well, Uncle Colin. Just settling in. Come in for tea.”
“I meant to invite you myself. Ohyoure not alone?” He noticed Margaret.
“This is Margaret. And this is Colin.”
“Let me know if you need anything.”
A week passed. The cottage was clean, cosy.
“You know, Emily,” Margaret said one evening, “I was a village girl too, before I married a city man. He died when Daniel was twenty-three. I sold the flathe promised Id always have a home with him. Look how that turned out.”
“Dont cry. Its hard, I know. But perhaps youll have grandchildren yet.”
“From that creature? God forbid. What about Colin? Is he alone?”
“Widowed. His wife drowned saving a neighbours child, years ago. Never remarried. No children. He and my grandfather were friends, though hes your age.”
A month later, no word came from Daniel. Then, an unknown number called Emily.
“Emily?”
“Yes.”
“Your husband is dead.”
“Youre mistaken.”
“No. Daniel was drunk. Crashed his car. The girl survivedthrown clear, not a scratch. Youll need to identify him.”
Oh, poor Margaret. How to tell her? Uncle Colinhed help.
“Emily, youre pale! Whats happened?”
“Sit down, Mum. Daniels gone.”
Margaret wailed. “Its my fault! I left him!”
“He threw you out!”
“He did. But Im his mother. Ohthis is my punishment.”
“Ill go to identify him. Uncle Colin will stay with you.”
“Im coming.”
“So am I,” Colin said firmly. “Well take my car.”
After the funeral, Emily and Margaret returned to Daniels housenow theirs, since hed never filed for divorce.
Uncle Colin insisted on escorting them.
The house was a wreckdirty clothes, mouldering dishes, the stench of booze and rot.
“My son did this? He was never like this before!”
“What are you doing here? This is my houseget out!” The blonde appeared, followed by a half-dressed man.
“Show me the deeds!” Colin demanded.
“What deeds? My husband died! We even had a wedding!”
“He wasnt divorced!”
“We celebrated earlyits mine now!”
“Drunk nonsense. Out! And take your friend with you.”
The man slunk off. Colin made sure the blonde stole nothing.
“Well check the paperwork. Change the locksshe might have keys.”
The deeds were sound. The locks were changed.
Much had to be tossed. Colin helped them through it all.
“Ill miss having you nearby.”
“Youll visit. And so will we.”
“Youve made me feel young again. Margaret she reminds me of my late wife.”
“Ive seen how you look at her, Uncle Colin. And how she looks at you. Is it love?”
“Dont tease,” he mumbled.
A year later, Colin and Margaret married. They were happywith Emily, who was like a daughter. But their family grew.
Emily became a mothernot by marriage, but by fostering siblings she refused to separate.
Family isnt always bornsometimes its found when life reshapes itself.
