Became the Help
When Margaret announced she was getting married, her son and daughter-in-law were stunned by the news and struggled to figure out how to respond.
Are you sure you want such a drastic change at your age? Sophie asked, glancing nervously at her husband.
Mum, do you really need to do something so drastic? Tom muttered, clearly anxious. I know youve been on your own for years and devoted much of your life to raising me, but getting married now just seemsdaft.
Youre young, so you see things differently, Margaret replied calmly. Im sixty-three. No one knows how much longer they have, but I have every right to spend my remaining time with someone I love.
Well, dont rush into it, Tom tried to reason with his mum. Youve only known William for a few months, and now youre ready to turn your whole life upside down.
At our age, you dont waste time. Theres no point dithering, Margaret mused. And what more is there to know? Hes two years older than I am, lives in a three-bedroom flat with his daughter and her family in Oxford, has a good pension, and owns a garden plot.
So where are you going to live? Tom frowned. We share this house, but another person just wouldnt fit here.
Dont worry yourselves, William has no designs on your space. Ill move in with him, Margaret explained. The flats spacious, I get on very well with his daughter, and everyones grown up therell be no bickering or dramas.
Tom worried, and Sophie tried to convince him to accept Margarets choice.
Maybe were just being selfish? Sophie wondered aloud. Of course, its easier with your mum helping shes always here for Emma. But she has the right to her own happiness. If shes got the chance, we shouldnt stand in the way.
Its one thing for them to live together, but why bother with the paperwork? Tom grumbled. I dont need Mum as a bride in a white dress, or a wedding party full of silly games.
Well, theyre old school. Maybe it just feels safer and more certain for them, Sophie said, searching for a reasonable explanation.
Eventually, Margaret did marry William, whom she’d met by chance on a walk, and soon moved into his flat. At first, things were fine; the household welcomed her, her husband was kind, and Margaret sincerely believed that, in the autumn of her life, shed finally found true happiness, and could simply enjoy each day. But soon, the reality of fitting into her new family began to emerge.
Could you make roast for dinner tonight? Williams daughter, Julia, asked. Id do it myself, but works a nightmare lately, and youve got plenty of free time.
Margaret understood the hint and gradually took on all the cooking, quickly followed by shopping, cleaning, laundry, and even duties at the garden.
Since were married now, the gardens our shared responsibility, William announced. Julia and her husband never have time, the granddaughters still young, so well do everything ourselves.
Margaret didnt argue; she enjoyed being part of a big, close-knit family where everything was built on mutual support and kindness. Her first husband had never given her that hed been lazy and sly, then ran off when Tom turned ten. That was twenty years ago, and no one knew his fate. Now Margaret felt her life finally made sense the bustle didn’t bother her, and tiredness came without bitterness.
Mum, what sort of gardener are you? Tom worried over the phone. After each trip out there, your blood pressure must skyrocket! Is it worth it?
Of course, and I enjoy it, she said, smiling. William and I will grow so much veg, therell be plenty for everyone, and we’ll share with you too.
But Tom had reservations; in the months since her move, nobody had invited them over, not even to get acquainted. Tom and Sophie had invited William around, he always promised, but never found the time or energy. Eventually, they just accepted the new family wasnt interested in closer relations. Their only wish was for Margaret to be happy and safe.
For a time, everything was cheerful, and all Margarets busy days were a joy. But her responsibilities kept multiplying, slowly weighing her down. Whenever William came to the garden, hed clutch his back or moan about heart pain. His attentive wife tucked him up for a rest while she hauled branches, raked leaves, and took rubbish to the skip.
Soup again? grumbled Anthony, Williams son-in-law. We had it yesterday I was hoping for something different.
I didnt have time to cook, and didnt manage to get to the shops today, Margaret admitted wearily. I was busy washing all the curtains and rehanging them, got knackered and dizzy and needed a rest.
I suppose, but Im really not a fan of soup. Anthony pushed his bowl away.
Tomorrow Maggie will treat us to a proper feast! William chimed in with a grin.
And the next day, Margaret really did spend hours in the kitchen, all for the food to be polished off in half an hour. Then she cleaned up, and so it went on. Soon Julia and Anthony criticized anything and everything, and William would take their side, making Margaret feel like the villain.
But Im not young either, and I dont see why I should do absolutely everything! she protested when yet another complaint arose.
Youre my wife. Its your duty to keep order in this home, William reminded her.
As your wife, I should have rights as well as responsibilities, Margaret said, tears springing from her eyes.
She would pull herself together, fuss around the family, smoothing things over and keeping the peace. But one day, she’d simply had enough. Julia and Anthony were headed to visit friends, and wanted Margaret to babysit their daughter.
Let the little one stay with Granddad, or go with you, because tonight Im going to see my granddaughter, Margaret said firmly.
Why should we all rearrange our plans because of you? Julia snapped.
No one should but I dont owe you, either, Margaret replied. Its my granddaughters birthday today. I told you last Tuesday. Not only has everyone ignored that, you now want to keep me here.
Well, this is out of order, honestly, William turned red, upset. Julias plans are wrecked, and your granddaughter is far too young nothing will happen if you celebrate her birthday tomorrow.
Itll be fine if the three of us go see my family, or you can stay with your granddaughter until Im back, Margaret fired back, determined.
I knew nothing good would come of this marriage, Julia snapped maliciously. Shes a mediocre cook, not much for housework, and always thinks of herself.
After everything Ive done for you these months, you really believe that? Margaret asked William. Tell me the truth did you want a wife, or a housekeeper to wait on everyone?
Youre out of line, trying to make me the bad guy, William replied, blinking rapidly. Don’t start an argument over nothing.
I asked a simple question, Margaret persisted, and I deserve a straight answer.
If thats how you feel, do as you like, but in my house, shirking your duties isnt on, William declared pompously.
In that case, I quit, Margaret said quietly, and went to gather her things.
Will you have your wayward grandma back? she asked, dragging her suitcase and her granddaughters gift. I went and got married, now Im home again. I dont want to talk about it right now just say youll take me in.
Of course! Tom and Sophie rushed to her. Your rooms waiting, were glad youre back.
Youre glad, just because? Margaret asked, searching for words she hoped to hear.
Why else would you be pleased to see family? Sophie replied, smiling.
At that moment, Margaret realised she wasnt anyones servant. Yes, she helped around the house and looked after Emma, but Tom and Sophie were never cheeky or tried to take advantage. Here, she was simply a mum, a gran, a mother-in-law, a family member not the help. Margaret came home for good, filed for divorce herself, and tried her best to forget the whole ordeal.
