The door remained shut.
“Mum, open the door! Mum, please!” His fists hammered against the metal surface so hard it sounded like the hinges might give way. “I know youre home! The cars not in the drive, so you havent gone out!”
Eleanor Margaret stood with her back to the door, clutching a cold cup of tea. Her hands shook so badly the china rattled against the saucer.
“Mum, whats going on?” Williams voice grew more frantic. “The neighbours say you havent let anyone in for a week! Not even Charlotte!”
At the mention of her daughter-in-laws name, Eleanors lips twisted slightly. Charlotte. His precious Charlotte, for whom hed do anything. Even what happened last Thursday.
“Mum, Ill call a locksmith!” William threatened. “Well break the lock!”
“Dont you dare!” she finally shouted, still refusing to turn. “Dont you dare lay a hand on it!”
“Mum, why? Whats happened? Talk to me!”
Eleanor closed her eyes, trying to steady her thoughts. How could she explain to her son what shed overheard? How could she tell him what shed stumbled upon, standing in the hospital corridor?
“Mum, please…” Williams voice softened, pleading. “Im worried about you. Charlottes worried too.”
Charlottes worried. Of course. Probably just nervous her plans were falling apart.
“Go away, William. Go away and dont come back.”
“Mum, are you ill? Do you have a fever? Should I call a doctor?”
“I dont need a doctor. I need you to leave me alone.”
Eleanor moved to the window. In the garden, William was on the phone. No doubt telling Charlotte his mother was being difficult again.
He looked up and saw her. He motioned that he was coming up. She stepped back and sat heavily in her armchair.
A minute later, the knocking resumed.
“Mum, its me and Charlotte. Open up, please.”
Eleanor clenched her jaw. So hed brought her. His wife, whod been so carefully mapping out their future.
“Eleanor,” came Charlottes smooth, gentle voice, “its me. Please open the door. Williams beside himself.”
What a fine actress. She knew exactly when to soften her tone.
“Weve brought you food,” Charlotte continued. “Milk, bread, walnut cakethe kind you like.”
Walnut cake. Eleanor smirked bitterly. A month ago, Charlotte had discovered her mother-in-law adored it, and since then, shed brought it every visit. Such a devoted daughter-in-law.
“Eleanor, say something,” Charlottes voice feigned concern. “Were worried sick.”
“Youre worried,” Eleanor repeated, but so quietly they didnt hear.
“Mum, Im not leaving until you open up!” William declared. “Ill stay here all night if I have to!”
She knew he meant it. Hed always been stubborn, even as a boy. Once he set his mind to something, he never backed down.
“Fine,” she said at last. “But only you. Alone.”
“What?” William sounded confused.
“Charlotte goes home. Ill only speak to you.”
She heard their hushed whispers in the hallway.
“Mum, why? Charlottes worried too.”
“Because I said so. Either you come in alone, or neither of you does.”
More whispering, then Charlottes voice:
“All right, Eleanor. Ill go. William, call me when you know whats wrong.”
She waited until the footsteps faded down the stairs, then slowly approached the door and turned the key.
William burst in like a storm, wrapping her in a hug and studying her face anxiously.
“Mum, youve lost weight! Youre pale! Whats happened? Are you ill?”
“I havent been ill,” she said, pulling away and heading to the kitchen. “Would you like tea?”
“Yes.” He sat at the table, watching her intently. “Now tell me whats going on. Why have you shut yourself away for a week?”
Eleanor set the kettle on the stove and turned to him.
“Why should I open the door? Whats there to wait for?”
“Mum, whats that got to do with it? You cant stay inside forever. You need to shop, see the doctor”
“Mrs. Thompson next door does my shopping. I leave her a list and the money. And I wont go to the doctor.”
“Why not?”
She poured boiling water into the cups, added sugar.
“Because the last time I went, I heard things I wish I hadnt.”
William frowned.
“What did you hear?”
“Your wife. She was on the phone with a friend. Didnt know I was there.”
“What was she saying?”
She sat opposite him and held his gaze. His eyes, just like his fatherskind, honest. Was this man capable of such a thing?
“She was talking about selling my flat. About putting me in a care home. About spending the money.”
William went pale.
“Mum, you mustve misunderstood. Charlotte would never”
“I heard every word,” she cut him off. “Clear as day. And she said, Williams already agreed. He says his mum cant live alone anymore, its not safe at her age. Well put her in a nice home, sell the flat. The money will cover the deposit.”
“Mum, I never”
“Dont interrupt!” Her voice rose. “And then she said, Thank God my mother-in-laws so trusting. She doesnt suspect a thing. Thinks we adore her. But honestly, shes just in the way.”
William sat with his head bowed. His fists clenched.
“Mum, I swear, Ive never agreed to any of this. Charlottes got a wild imagination.”
“Imagination?” She laughed bitterly. “Then why did she go into such detail? About the home, the money”
She stopped herself. With a heavy heart but calm resolve, Eleanor continued her evening alone, knowing that, whatever her son chose, shed keep her dignity and her home until the very end.
