Margaret packed her bags and turned to leave. “Where are you going?” he asked. “What does it matter to you?” she replied. “Youd best clear out of the flat tooit belongs to me and my father. Ill be renting it out. Ive no use for layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”
Margaret had just returned from work when she found her husband carousing again, this time with company. Seated at the table were their neighbour, Peter, and his brother, Nicholas, who had come for a visit. They had been celebrating his holiday for three days straight.
William, Margarets husband, was not usually one for revelryonly on rare occasions, and never to excess. But with an old friend visiting, he couldnt bring himself to refuse. “Are you my mate or not?” Nicholas kept insisting.
“William, see your friends out and get some rest. They can barely stand.”
“Hold your tongue, woman!” Nicholas barked.
“Margaret, well be on our way now,” Peter murmured, rising unsteadily from the table.
“How dare you speak to my wife like that?”
“Calm yourself. Everyones going home. Out with you!”
Margaret ushered the guests to the door, steered her husband to the sofa, and set about tidying. Her mother-in-law would arrive soonlet her see what her son had been up to.
By the time Mrs. Tillington arrived, Margaret had managed to clean up and even throw together a quick supper, as their guests had devoured all the prepared food. The remnants on the table went straight into the bin.
“Mrs. Tillington, Mary, how Ive missed you.”
“Mummy, Granny has a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly little thing.”
“Mary!”
“Thats what Grandad says.”
“Wash your hands, well have supper and tea.”
“And wheres William? I rang him, but he didnt answer.”
“Asleep. Hes been celebrating with the neighbour for three days. I come home from work and have to chase them out, only for them to start again in the morning. I ought to lock him out without his keys. Before Nicholas came to stay with Peter, everything was fine. But now I hear hes moved in for good. Their flat is shared between the brothers, and Peters wife wont tolerate the noisewith little ones about, theyve all descended on us.”
“Theyve been friends since primary school, ever since we moved here. You cant just cut that off. You ought to move.”
“Move where? The house isnt finished, though theres not much left to do. We should go and see it. And how can I leave him?”
“Hell come running after you.”
“Who will?” William appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“You. Who else? Drawn by the smell of food, were you?”
“Dont want any.”
“Good. Margarets packing her things and leaving you.”
“Where?”
“What difference does it make to you? Youre to clear out toothe flat belongs to my father and me. Ill be letting it out. Ive no patience for idlers. Find yourself a place to live.”
“What place, Mother?” Nicholas was stunned. “Weve a house being built.”
“A house? Think on itwhose house is it? Whos put money into it? Thats rightMargaret and you. But it was with our money. The house will be for Margaret and Mary. Margaret, dont just stand therepack your things and Marys.”
“I wont let you take my daughter!”
“Oh, how terrifying.”
“Shes mine. Margaret has no claim on her.”
“And when she became a mother to her, did she have a claim then? Arent you ashamed? Shes her mother now! And dont you dare say another word in front of her. Best gather your things.”
“Mother, Im your son. What about me?”
“And what of it? The flat must be empty by tomorrow. Well be leaving now, the girls and I.”
“Where?”
“To inspect their house and hurry the builders along. Theres not much left. Theyll finish it. Well order the furniture while were at it.”
“And me?”
“Why do you fret so? Youve friendstheyll take you in.”
“No, it cant be like this.”
“Ive said all I mean to. Margaret, have you packed everything? Then lets go. Take the car keys.”
“My car?”
“Would you rather we walk? Youre in no state to drive.”
“Well go to ours for now,” said her mother-in-law. “Tomorrow, well see to the house. The weekends aheadwell air it out and rest. Let him think on it.”
The next morning, William stood on his parents doorstep with his belongings. His mothers threats were not idleonce she spoke, things would go her way.
“What do you want?”
“Mother, you told me to clear the flat. Its done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere else. Ill fetch Mary and Margaret. Where are they?”
“Theyre here for now, but soon well go to see their house.”
“Ive been looking for them. Mother, can we talk? Its my fault. Its the brothersyou know Nicholas and Peter. Once they latch on, theres no shaking them off.”
“Precisely why you shant live there anymore.”
Margaret and William made amends. She had been deeply hurt, but she believed him.
“No more neighbours, no more friends.”
“Mark my wordsif this happens again, youll not see Mary. She stays with me. And the son as well…”
“Son? A son! The house must be finished. I must tell Mother!”
“Dont shoutshe knows. It may not be a son. Its still early.”
“No matterson or daughter. Youre my Margaret!” William swept his wife into his arms and spun her around.
“Careful. Put me down.”
The family moved into their new house. Marys baby brother arrived soon after.
“Mary, come see your brother,” said Granny.
“Hes so little. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now weve two mummies. Right, Granny?”
“Thats right, poppet.”
“Im not little. He is. And Mummy promised wed get a sly, fluffy face. Or…”
“Mary!”
“Thats what Grandad says…”
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