Twins?! blurted out Margaret.
She tried very hard to hide her dismay, but it hardly worked. Emily knew perfectly well it was pointless to expect a shred of sincerity from her mother-in-law. Margaret had never cared for her, always thought Emily was a poor match for her precious son. In fact, those around them would often say it was Ben who was rather too simple for a girl like her.
Emily was sweet and well-educated; by twenty-three shed finished her degree in economics and was doing well working for a chain of private clinics. Yes, she came from a small town, but her father managed a local business and her mother taught at the university. No one would have said Emily was uncultured or ill-mannered. But Margaret still saw her as plain and unworthy.
Well, congratulations! What joy! Double the joy! Margaret mumbled.
But taking part in this joy was not on her agenda. Emilys pregnancy was difficult. There were warnings of miscarriage, and then that diagnosis shifted to a risk of premature labour. Emily spent stretches in hospital, bedrest after bedrest. Ben visited her nearly every day, but his motherwho lived just two bus stops awaynever paid a single visit.
She didnt come to see her granddaughters after they were born either. No matter how much Ben asked, she refused to come in the first forty days.
Its not right! What if I bring them an infection? Ill come when theyre stronger. Then their grandmother will meet them.
Emily only ran into Margaret three months later by the shops. Margaret plastered on a smile and asked through clenched teeth,
Well, how are you girls doing?
Emily responded with genuine warmth.
Out for a stroll! The prams enormous but what can you do? Fresh airs good for the girls!
Margaret nodded and was about to move on, when she spotted her old friend across the street. The woman waved and hurried up to greet them.
Maggie! Hello! Goodness graciousthese must be your granddaughters?
Yes, Grace, they are! My greatest treasures.
Emily remembered Graceshe shyly greeted her.
Two at once! Emily, however did you manage? So petite as you are!
Our Emilys a heroine! Margaret declared with pride.
Emily stared at her mother-in-law in shock. Just moments ago, Margaret had been ready to bolt at the sight of her granddaughters, and now shed donned the mask of doting grandmother.
Grace and Margaret began to chirp away; phrases floated to Emilyhow twins were a blessing, how well Emily managed, and how much Margaret supported her. Emily learnt more about her own life in those five minutes than she could ever have dreamt up herself. Finally, Grace remembered her business.
Must dash! Need to pop to the bank before it shuts! Take care, ladies!
Margaret waited until Grace was out of sight, then let the smile drop from her face, dryly said goodbye, and walked off.
That evening, Emily told Ben what had happened. He just shrugged.
Em, its Mum. She was like this with us too. Used to spin wild tales about how she sat up doing my homework, when in reality shed turn on the soaps and never check my schoolbooks. Swore shed take my sister Lucy for long walks for her health, but really she just put her makeup on while I took Lucy around the estate. Dont let it get to you. Please.
Emily had heard these stories a thousand times, but never ceased to be surprised when she became part of such episodes herself.
***
Years passed, but Margarets attitude to her children and grandchildren never changed. But then, trouble struck. She tripped getting out of a cab and broke her leg. And thats when she had a brilliant idea.
Ill come to stay with you! she announced to Ben and Emily.
The couple exchanged glances; both could see disaster ahead, but couldnt refuse.
Life became chaos. They were forced to move into the girls bedroom; their own went to Margaret. She effectively became their third childneeded meals cooked, laundry done, help bathing, endless errands fetched from the shops.
The twins were two and a half. Emily was trying to get back to work at least part-time, so the girls had started nursery. Every morning, Ben and Emily wrestled their stubborn daughters from their warm beds and into the world, protests and tears all the way.
One morning, as they rushed about, Bens phone rang:
Mum? Why are you calling? Youre in the next room!
I cant get up, my legs broken
Mum, youve got crutches
Hush, Ben! What I need to say doesnt require getting out of bed.
Mum, Im listening. Can we get on with it?
I cant stand how noisy you are every morning. I cant sleep with you all stomping about, slamming doors, and those kids never stop chattering!
Bens cheeks turned red. He stormed to her bedroom, flung open the door, and yelled,
If you want a lie-in so much, would you like us to leave the kids with you?!
Margaret fell silent in horror. Soon after, she moved outcast still on her leg. Ben didnt bat an eyelid; but Emily, for some reason, still felt guilty. Like she never wanted her husband quarrelling with his mum. Still, what else could she have done?
***
Most Fridays, Emily did half a day at the clinic, picked up the girls by lunchtime, and theyd go home, treat themselves to something nice from the bakery, and watch a film together. That Friday was no exception. She scattered cushions across the living room, set up the projector, when the doorbell rang.
Emily opened it to find Margaret holding the hand of Harry, Lucys son.
Margaret, is everything alright?
Lucy left him with me until this evening. But I have to dash out. Look after him for an hour or so, will you? Please.
Emily was caught off guard. Harry was about six months younger than her girls, a quiet enough child, so she crouched down and smiled at him.
Harry, want to stay with me for a bit?
He nodded shyly. By the time Emily looked up, Margaret was already calling the lift.
When should we expect you back?
Two hours tops!
She didnt even say goodbye.
***
Ben came home at seven. When he saw his nephew at the table, munching down fish fingers, he was surprised.
Alright, lad! Hows it going? Come to visit? Wheres Lucy?
Harry grinned up at his uncle; Emily sighed heavily. She hated being the source of family tension againbut what could she do?
Your mum dropped him round… For a couple of hours. Then disappeared.
And when did those couple of hours start?
Nearly five hours ago
Emily looked at Ben anxiously.
So wheres Lucy?
Emily swallowed hard.
I didnt want to get your mum in trouble… She was the one Lucy trusted with Harry.
Bens face turned crimson.
Em, youre far too kind. But this is just mad! Did my mum even tell you where she went?
Emily shook her head. Ben rang his sister and explained Harry was with them. Lucy promised to come at once.
***
By half past eight, the children were playing in the bedroom. Emily, Ben and Lucy sat in the kitchen.
Are we really going to keep waiting for her? The kids should be going to bed…
Em, one late night wont kill them. But Mum needs a word.
No sooner had Ben said this than the bell rang. Emily answered the door.
Well? Ive come for Harry said Margaret, matter-of-factly.
Emily swallowed hard. Lucy and Ben stepped up behind her.
Mum, do you have any sense of decency?
Is that how you talk to your mother?!
Dont change the subject, Mum! I left Harry with you, not with Emily! What on earth is wrong with you?
Margaret laughed.
Oh Lucy! Whats the difference? Emilys got two of her own she copes beautifully. Ive got things to do!
Ben stepped forward.
Mum! What things? This is just rude and selfish. Did you even ask her if she minded?
Oh, for heavens sake, what is there to ask about?
Ben pressed,
Where were you, exactly?
Lucy snorted with laughter.
To be honest, Mum, you probably went to the hairdresser first your hair was longer this morning. Then maybe to the nail salon? Your polish was red, now its pink…
Margaret flushed, but kept silent.
Arent you ashamed? Ben asked.
She avoided their gaze, somehow smaller now.
Youre only ever asked to help about once in a blue moon, but you fob Harry off onto my wife? Maybe Emily wants to get her nails done too! Maybe shed like a trip to the hairdresser herself!
Now Margaret turned puce, puffed herself upand lashed out.
Oh, Ben! Nails? Haircut? From her? Shes a little nobody from nowhere! She always has been, always will be.
There was a brief stunned silence, then Ben bellowed,
OUT!
He took his mother firmly by the arm and bundled her from the flat. The door slammed. As he turned, he saw tears streaming down Emilys face. Instinctively, he and Lucy comforted her.
Emily was hurt and angry. But, in a way, seeing that Margaret dismissed her own children and grandchildren so easily made it clear the problem wasnt her. Emily longed to be liked, but maybe, for some people, youre never good enough, no matter what.
After that, contact with Margaret dwindled. Ben and Lucy helped her out, now and then, but Margaret stayed clear of the family and played no part in their lives. She sulked for ages after the falling out, but eventually, her urge to be a grandma won out and she attempted a truce. Still, helping with the grandchildren never featured.
Only once, scrolling through messages, Emily spotted a photo in Margarets status: all three grandchildren, with the caption, Happy Grandmothers Day to us alleveryone who raised grandchildren! Emily managed a wry smileand that evening, Ben and Lucy couldnt stop mocking their mums blatant cheek. Emily thought laughing at her was wrong. But it was hard not to.
