**The Mystery of the Promised Gift**
The grand hall of a restaurant in central York buzzed with the wedding celebration of Emily and James. Guests laughed, music filled the air, and the newlyweds glowed with happiness at the head table. When the time came for gifts, Emily’s parents stepped forward first, presenting a thick envelope of cash. Next was James’s mother, Margaret Woodley, who quietly handed them a bouquet of roses. As she leaned in, she whispered, “My real gift for you comes after the wedding.”—”What gift?” Emily asked, glancing at her husband.—”No idea what Mum’s on about,” James admitted, shrugging with a confused smile. But Emily had no clue just what intrigue her mother-in-law had set in motion.
Long before the wedding, Margaret had cryptically hinted, “I refuse to give you something ordinary. Don’t expect my gift at the reception—I’ll surprise you with something grand later!”—”Whatever you prefer,” Emily replied hesitantly. “We’re not expecting anything.”—”Relax, Mum, we’re just happy you’ll be there,” James reassured her.—”I won’t show up empty-handed to my own son’s wedding,” Margaret insisted. “But let’s keep this between us—no blabbing to relatives.”—”Fine by me,” James agreed, though Emily doubted her mother-in-law would follow through. She knew Margaret’s finances were tight, but the couple had paid for the wedding themselves, not burdening family. Emily’s parents, despite their modest means, had saved up fifteen hundred pounds for the newlyweds. At the wedding, Margaret gave only flowers, which went unnoticed amid the toasts and dancing. Yet she dazzled with long speeches, basking in the guests’ attention.
“You’ve no idea what I’ve planned for you,” Margaret murmured near the evening’s end, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “It’ll be a surprise to knock your socks off—just not yet.”—”It’s fine, no rush,” James said, squeezing Emily’s hand.—”I’m actually curious now,” Emily admitted. “You’re not hiding it from me, are you?”—”Honestly, clueless,” James said. “But the gift doesn’t matter—we’re together and happy.” Emily nodded, but curiosity nagged at her. She tried prying hints from Margaret, who only smiled mysteriously. “If I spoil the surprise, what’s the point? Patience!”
Months passed, and the promised gift never came. What had once amused Emily now grated on her. Eight months after the wedding, she finally broached the subject. “Oh, so it’s all about money, is it?” Margaret snapped, voice trembling. “Why not ask how I’m doing instead of hounding me for presents?”—”If you need help, just say so,” Emily said, baffled by the outburst. But Margaret played the wounded martyr, complaining to James about his wife’s “rudeness.”—”Drop it with Mum,” James pleaded later. “She’s in a proper state over this.”—”I only asked because she made such a mystery of it!” Emily defended.
After that, Emily avoided Margaret, speaking only when necessary—which only worsened things. “Your wife only cared about me when she thought I’d spoil her,” Margaret griped to James. “Now she can’t even look me in the eye!”—”That’s not true,” James argued.—”Then explain why she acts like I’ve got the plague!” Margaret shot back. When Emily heard, she sighed. “Your mum’s impossible. First she hated me asking, now she hates me keeping my distance. Next, she’ll blame me for breathing wrong!”—”She thinks we only want her money,” James muttered.—”Funny, since she hasn’t given us a thing in a year,” Emily retorted. “Meanwhile, my parents bring treats, veggies from their garden, and never visit empty-handed.”—”Are you saying Mum does?” James bristled.—”Not only that—she leaves with Tupperwares of my cooking!”
The gift became a forbidden topic, yet quarrels simmered. Margaret, pouring fuel on the fire, nitpicked Emily relentlessly—while telling friends, “We dote on her, but she’s ungrateful. I even meant to give her my great-aunt’s heirloom ring, but look how she repays me!” Listeners nodded sympathetically, taken in by her act.
As their first anniversary neared, Margaret teased another surprise. “Expect something spectacular!” she announced when invited to a low-key dinner.—”You really needn’t go to trouble,” Emily ventured.—”Noted,” Margaret replied dryly. “But I’ll do as I please.” James snapped later, “Why must you argue with her? Let her do what she wants!”—”Exactly,” Emily shot back. “We’ve yet to ‘receive’ her wedding gift, so an anniversary one is definitely overdue.”
They agreed to drop the matter. For their “paper” anniversary, Emily’s parents gifted an embroidered tablecloth and linen, while friends brought china and crystal. Margaret arrived with a giant card, reciting a fifteen-minute ode to herself. “If you mention gifts again, we’ll row,” James warned Emily afterward.—”Wasn’t planning to,” she said wearily.
But peace didn’t last. A month later, Margaret demanded a pricey smartphone for her birthday. “We’re just meant to obey?” Emily asked skeptically.—”Mum needs a new phone, and we can manage it,” James said. “You mind?”—”Not at all,” Emily said coolly. “But remember, my mum’s birthday is next month. Gifts should be fair.” James sighed, calculating costs. In the end, Margaret got a budget model—sparking outrage. Convinced Emily had turned James against her, she vowed revenge for such “cheapskate” treatment.
