Sarah and her mother-in-law sat side by side on the old bed. We were both bundled up against the cold; it was the heart of winter, and the house was only just beginning to warm as I stoked the fireplace.
“Dont worry, Mum. Well be all right. We wont be left in the lurch. I’ll give you your medicine in a moment,” I reassured her, as gently as I could. In truth, she wasnt my mother at allshe was my former mother-in-law. Almost former, at least.
It happened that we three ended up living together: the mother, her son, and myselfSarah, his wife.
I married late, at thirty, and I was Davids second wife. I hadnt broken up his marriage; by the time we met, he was already divorced.
His mother, Margaret Porter, liked me from the start, and the feeling was mutual. She was the only family I had left after losing my own parents so young, and in Margaret I found real kindness. Shed hold me, listen, and understand.
“Thick as thieves, you two,” David would say, not always kindly.
Five years of marriage went by in a flash. Then, David changed. He grew short-tempered and brash, yelling at Margaret and me over nothing. The cause soon became clear: another woman. Long nights away, coming home stumbling, smelling of gin.
Then, one evening, he said he wanted a divorce and gave me two days to pack. I hadnt even finished putting my things together before his lover arrived, suitcase in tow.
Perhaps she wanted to gloat, to throw a few parting insults. She stood theretall, with bleached hair, thick lips, and enormous fake eyelashes that fluttered grotesquely every time she blinked. I couldnt help myself and let out a bitter laugh.
You left me for this overdone barbie with the lashes of a Jersey cow? Well, good luck, I dont care anymore.
At least shes fun. You and Mumtwo grannies. Two clucking hens, he retorted.
Have a go at me if you like, but why insult your mother? I snapped.
Babe, is your mum staying here? the new woman squeaked, fluttering her lashes. Make her leave. Why should we have to keep your mother around? Babe
Mum, its time you moved out. Youve been here long enough, David said coldly.
Where am I meant to go? I gave you every penny from selling my flat, just so you could build this house! Margarets voice trembled as she clutched her chest.
Oh, spare us the drama. All right, you can stay, but dont come out of your room. From now on, Albina runs the house.
Kitten, chuck them both out!
Shes my mother, for heavens sake!
Your mother? You mean Im going to have this as my mother-in-law? Oh, lovely Just brilliant
Id heard enough. Mum, would you come with me to the country?
Id rather live in the sticks than stay with a son like this and her. Margarets voice quivered.
Wait here, Ill pack your things, I said softly.
Dont forget my medicine, and my little jewellery box. Oh, and my handbag.
I found another suitcase and hurriedly threw everything in: the jewellery box, her handbag, medicine, documents, underwear, clothes.
“Take the lot. We want nothing that isnt ours,” Albina sneered, tossing her hair. Right, love?
David just stood and watched, silent. He knew his mother would never forgive him. Or maybe she wouldshe was his mother, after all.
Half an hour later, I was outside by the car, with Margaret already settled in the back seat, quietly wiping her tears. She didnt even look at her son. Just sighed heavily.
Its a hard thing, realising youve given everything to someone, only to find yourself unwanted.
How are we going to manage, dear?
Well be fine, honestly. Ive got savings. Thatll last until I find a job, and youve got your pension. We wont starve. Therell be bread and butter enough.
We drove to the village where Id grown up. Thankfully it was still light out. The cottage was icy, but I quickly got the fire going, fetched water, and put the kettle on.
You handle everything as if youve always lived here, Margaret observed, watching me.
Granddad taught me everything. And we bought plenty of groceries, so no need to pop to the shop and run into the village gossips.
Gradually, warmth filled the house.
Ill give the whole place a proper clean tomorrow, I said, glancing around.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Sarah, its you back, then? Havent seen you in ages. Not often folks move to the village in winter. Trouble come knocking, has it? Old Mr. Clarke peered around the door.
Alls well, Mr. Clarke. Thanks for checking. Do come in and have a cup of tea with us.
Id actually called to invite you both over. Didnt realise you had company? Hed just noticed Margaret.
This is Margaret Porter. Margaret, this is Mr. ClarkeNick Clarke.
If you need anything, you know where I am, he nodded kindly.
Were fine for now, thank you.
Within a week, the cottage was spotless and cosy.
You know, Sarah, Im a country girl myself. Married a city man, you know. He died when David was twenty-three, and then I sold our flat. My son promised Id always live with him. Look at how that ended, she sighed.
Dont cry, please. I know its hard. Im broken too. But maybe, one day, youll have grandchildren?
From that woman? God forbid. What about Mr. Clarke, does he live alone?
All by himselfhis wife drowned rescuing a neighbours little boy. He never remarried, has no children. He was friends with my granddad, though hes your age, Margaret.
A month went by with no word from David. He didnt even call his mother. Then one afternoon, my phone flashed with an unknown number.
Sarah?
Yes, this is she.
Im sorry to inform youyour husbands died.
You must be mistaken.
Im afraid not. David Hed been drinking and crashed his car. Im sorry, but he wasnt alone. His girlfriend was with himshe survived without a scratch. Youll need to come in for identification.
Oh Lord, how would I tell Margaret? I dialled Mr. ClarkeI needed help.
Sarah, whats happened? You look pale as a sheet!
Mum, please, sit down. Davids gone.
Margaret broke down in loud sobs. Its my fault! I left him!
He threw you out, Mum!
But Im his mother Oh, hes got his comeuppance.
Ill go to the identification, Mr. Clarke will stay with you.
Im coming too.
So am I, said Mr. Clarke firmly. My car. No arguments.
The funeral passed quietly. Margaret and I decided to visit what was now our houseDavid hadnt gotten around to filing divorce papers, far too busy with his party lifestyle, so the house now belonged to his mother and his wife.
Mr. Clarke came along to help.
You ladies shouldnt go alone. Who knows what youll find.
The house was in ruinsclothes scattered everywhere, dirty plates even on the floor, the stench of alcohol and rot in the air.
My son lived like this? He was never like this before. What have they done here?
And what are you doing here? Get out! This is my house now, Albina sneered, wandering out in pajamas, followed by a half-dressed, rough-looking man.
Lets see the house deeds! Mr. Clarke demanded.
What deeds? My husband died. We had a wedding, you know!
He was still married to Margaret!
We had the wedding in advance, so its all mine now!
Enough nonsense! Out! Anyone else here?
The man slipped away without a word. Mr. Clarke made sure Albina didnt take anything.
Well need to check the paperwork. There could be a will, or he might have changed ownership. Anythings possible. And we need to change the locksshe might have a spare set.
The documents were all fine in the end. We replaced the locks.
We threw out most of what was left in the housenothing was worth saving. Mr. Clarke never left our side.
Im sorry you ladies are going back. Ive gotten so used to having you here.
Well visit, and you, Nick, come and see us.
Youve made me feel young again. You know, Margaret looks a bit like my late wife
I see the way you look at her, Mr. Clarke. And she at you! Youre sweet on her, arent you?
Oh, do hush, he blushed.
But its true, isnt it?
A year later, Nick and Margaret married. Theyre happy together, and Im happy with them. Im like a daughter to them. But thats not the whole storyNick and Margaret now have grandchildren.
Yes, I did become a mother after all. I never remarried, but I took in two children as my own. A brother and sistercouldnt see them split up. I wanted just one, and it turned out to be two.
Family, Ive learned, doesnt have to be just the people youre born with. Sometimes lifes twists bring you to the right ones, even when you least expect it.
