**Family Feud in Greenfield: A Shadow of Old Grudges**
*I wish today had gone differently.*
“Sophie, Mum just called. She and Dad are coming over to visit Lily,” said Daniel, stepping into the room where his wife was settling their one-year-old to sleep.
My stomach twisted at the news. It felt like a punch to the gut. Things with Margaret had turned sour ever since Lily was born, though before that, we’d always gotten along. The worst part? She’d sneak the baby whatever she fancied the second my back was turned, ignoring every rule I’d set.
Every visit ended in a row. Last time—three months ago—she’d given Lily a bite of chocolate cake. I’d only left them alone for five minutes.
“What are you doing?” I snapped, wrenching my daughter from her arms. “She’s nine months old! Cake? Really?”
Furious, I carried Lily to the bathroom to wipe the cream smeared on her face and fingers. From the hallway, I heard Daniel laying into his mum:
“Why must you always push?”
“Oh, don’t fuss! You had sweets as a child, and you turned out fine,” she huffed.
“Why won’t you just listen?” he shot back. “Some mother you were!”
“I don’t see what the fuss is about,” Margaret muttered, arms crossed.
When I returned with Lily, I couldn’t hold back.
“Leave. If you can’t behave, don’t bother coming.”
Margaret blinked, first at me, then at Daniel, waiting for him to take her side. But his silence said it all.
“Honestly! Back in my village, we fed children whatever was going—no internet nonsense to fuss over. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill!” With that, she stormed out.
Later, I met Daniel’s eyes, my resentment boiling over.
“She’s not setting foot in here again,” he said before I could ask.
For months, Margaret kept her distance. She’d call for updates, ask for photos—but never dared visit. Until today, Lily’s first birthday.
“She’ll pull something again,” I muttered.
“No,” Daniel said firmly. “I warned her.”
I scoffed. Margaret had never listened before.
True to form, they arrived barely ten minutes after Daniel’s call—proof they *knew* they’d be let in.
“Where’s my darling? Where’s my sweetheart? We’ve brought presents!” Margaret shoved a gift bag at me.
His father, Geoffrey, carried a cake and a bottle of champagne, handing them off to Daniel.
“No need to trouble yourselves—we brought everything!” Margaret declared, as if to say the treats weren’t just for *us*.
I forced a smile. Handing Lily to Daniel, I set the table while they lingered in the kitchen, the baby between them.
“Open that champagne, love. Paid twenty quid for it,” Margaret whispered.
Geoffrey popped the cork and poured.
“In a glass, are you daft?” She scowled. “I’ve got the baby!”
He obeyed, passing her the drink. She sipped, smacked her lips, and grinned.
“Lovely.” Then, glancing at Lily, she murmured, “Let’s have a little taste, shall we? While no one’s looking.”
Geoffrey chuckled. “Bet the missus’ll have a fit if she catches you.”
I stiffened, peering through the doorway just as Margaret tipped the glass toward Lily’s lips.
“What the *hell* are you doing?” I lunged, snatching the champagne. “I *told* you—nothing! How *dare* you?” My voice shook as I clutched Lily tighter.
“Oh, don’t fuss! We gave Daniel sips as a lad—never hurt him,” Margaret scoffed. “Might do her good—”
“OUT.” Daniel stormed in, face like thunder. “Enough! First cake, now *this*? I *told* you—nothing!”
“No need to shout!” Geoffrey cut in. “She only gave her a drop—”
“Not a *drop*,” Daniel roared. “Get out. Both of you. What next—whisky?”
Margaret sighed, rolling her eyes. “Always so dramatic. You and Sophie—two peas in a pod. Come on, Geoff.”
The door slammed behind them. I held Lily close, trembling.
“That’s *it*. Your parents aren’t stepping foot here again. What was she *thinking*?”
Daniel shrugged. “Fine by me.”
After that, contact stopped. Margaret and Geoffrey stewed over being thrown out, while we couldn’t forgive their recklessness.
