What do you mean nothings been made for dinner? We didnt turn up for you! George, the fatherinlaw, barked, dropping his coat onto the vacant chair.
I cant see why you endure this, Claire, Emilys office mate, said, shaking her head. I would have drawn a line ages ago.
Emily curled a finger around the rim of her coffee, sighing. The lunch break was slipping away, and a chat with a friend offered no balm.
It sometimes feels as though Im living on a public footpath, Emily murmured, pushing her cup aside. Picture it: I stagger home from a meeting, legs wobbling, and there are my motherinlaw and her friend in the kitchen, pouring tea as if it were their own flat. And Daniel didnt even give me a headsup.
What did you do then?
I could only smile, set the kettle on, and fetch a few biscuits, she replied.
Claire frowned. You trained them yourself. Youve been putting up with this for five years.
Emily pressed her fingers to her temples; the familiar throb of a headache settled in again.
Daniel says I should be gratefulclaims his parents treat me like a daughter, she said.
Do they turn up often?
At least three or four times a week. Especially my fatherinlawhe loves dropping by unannounced. Hell plonk himself in the armchair and launch into Back in our day and then ask whats for supper.
The phone chimed. A message from Daniel: his parents would be over this evening to discuss weekend plans.
Look, Emily handed the phone to Claire. He doesnt ask, he just declares.
And the flat is yours, right? Claire asked, squinting.
It is. I bought it before we married, a mortgage of £180,000 thats weighing me down. Three years left, and I refuse any penny from Daniel. My own father kept nagging, If you split, youll lose the house. So I pay it myself, receipts and all.
And they know?
Of course. It means nothing to them. George once barked, Now this is the family nest.
The day stretched on. Emily tried to stare at spreadsheets, but her mind kept drifting to the night ahead. After the talk with Claire something inside cracked; she had convinced herself everything was normal, that this was how a family should run. Now the illusion was thin.
At six, she packed up and decidedtonight she would not cook. Let them feel, for once, that she was a person, not a servant.
When she got home she slipped into the shower, changed into soft loungewear, and fled the kitchen. She settled in her favorite armchair with a book she had meant to finish months ago.
The doorbell rang at seven. On the step stood George, newspaper tucked under his arm, followed by Margaret, her motherinlaw, balancing a bag of sunflower seeds.
Weve come to see you! Margaret announced brightly, marching straight for the kitchen.
Emily nodded silently. George, shoes still on, drifted into the living room and claimed the armchair as his throne.
Whats for dinner? he asked, unfolding the paper.
Nothing, Emily replied curtly.
George lowered the newspaper. Nothing? Dont just stand there like a statue! Get something on the stove!
The front door slammedDaniel barreled in.
Hello, everyone! he called, stepping from the hall. Ah, Mum, Dad, youre already here!
Margaret peeked out of the kitchen. Daniel, the thing is Emily hasnt made anything.
Didnt make anything? Daniel frowned at his wife. You knew my parents were coming.
I knew, Emily said evenly. You told me at lunch.
So what? You could have thrown something together. Its not the first time.
Emily watched Margaret exchange a knowing glance with Daniel.
Exactlyit isnt the first, Emily rose, her voice trembling. Or the tenth. Im weary of being a roundtheclock canteen.
Dear, what are you saying Margaret began.
Im not your dear! Emily snapped. I have a name. I have a life. I own this flat, for that matter!
Emily! Daniel stepped forward. Enough of the theatrics!
Histrionics? Emily laughed bitterly. You call it histrionics when, for the first time in five years, I say no?
George folded his newspaper with a flourish. You know, Daniel, I always said you spoiled her. Look at the result.
And you Emily turned sharply at George, then fell silent. A lump rose in her throat; her hands trembled.
Whatme? George raised an eyebrow. Go on, finish what you started.
Emily clenched her fists. Five years of bottled resentment erupted.
You treat my home as if it were yours. You pop in whenever you fancy, bark orders, demand food This is my flat! Mine! I deserve a moment of peace!
Margaret threw up her hands. Daniel, do you hear? Shes throwing us out!
Emily, stop this, Daniel grabbed her elbow. Apologise to my parents.
I wont, Emily snapped her arm free. Im done apologising for wanting a normal lifewithout daily visits and constant instructions in my own house. Im exhausted of cooking for everyone all the time!
Daniels parents gathered their coats and left. Margaret muttered that Emily was ungrateful. For a while the house fell quiet, and Emily dared to hope the storm had passed.
A few weeks later Daniel announced his parents would stay for a couple of days. Emily had just returned from a threeday business trip, drained by endless meetings.
Daniel, Ive just landed. I need to rest, to collect myself
They love popping round, Daniel said, eyes glued to his phone.
They just love a free meal, flickered through Emilys mind, but she said nothing.
The parents arrived that evening with two massive suitcases. The sheer volume of baggage set Emilys nerves on edge.
George marched straight to the living room and cranked the TV to full blast. Margaret, coat still on, disappeared into the kitchen.
Emily dear, our stomachs are growling from the road. Make something quick, she urged.
Im working, Emily said, eyes on her laptop. The deadlines breathing down my neck.
Working, she says, Margaret snorted. You could make an effort for your sons parents.
From the lounge, Georges voice boomed: By the way, love, could you help me with my phone? The internets gone
I cant right now, sorry, Emily replied.
Shes always like this, George shouted to Daniel. No respect for her elders.
Daniel kept his mouth shut, pretending not to hear. Emily clenched her teeth and returned to her screen. Half an hour later Margarets voice cut through the kitchen again:
Emily! How long will you pretend youre busy? Were sitting here starving!
Order delivery, Emily finally snapped. Theres a magnet on the fridge with a menu and a number.
Ugh, Margaret grimaced. We prefer homecooked food. In my day, daughtersinlaw
Im not your daughterinlaw from the last century! Emily slammed her laptop shut. I have my own life, my own job, my own plans! Why should I drop everything whenever you need something?
Silence settled like dust. Even the TV seemed to shrink.
Daniel, George said slowly, do you hear how your wife is speaking to us?
Emilys just tired, Daniel tried to smooth things over. Ill sort dinner myself.
No, son, George rose from his chair. Its not about tiredness. Your wife has grown conceited. She thinks because the flat is hers she can look down on us.
Emily stood too. Yes, its my flat. And I have the right to decide who lives here and when!
Emily! Daniel placed a hand on her shoulder. You could be a bit more tolerant! Theyre my family!
Leave me be, Emily whispered. I cant do this any longer.
Enough! Margaret interjected sharply. Come on, start cooking if you have time to argue.
Four eyes bore into Emily, and she finally yielded.
A few days later Daniels parents finally left. Emily hoped peace would return. For two months things were relatively calm.
One evening, after a grueling day of three backtoback meetings, traffic, and a difficult client, Emily turned the key in her door and froze on the threshold. Voices and clatter rose from the kitchen. George and Margaret were already settled, groceries spread across the table, pots waiting.
Ah, there you are! George shouted, tearing himself away from the newspaper. What are you making for dinner?
Emily set her bag down slowly. Nothing.
Daniel, standing by the window, looked away. George frowned.
What do you mean, nothing? We didnt come here for you! We came for the food! Get to the stove!
Something snapped inside Emily. The five years of humiliation, endless concessions, endless dishes had been for nothing. No one ever saw her as a person.
So its for the food? she said, standing tall. I thought you came to see your son.
Emily, dont start, Daniel tried to intervene.
No, love, Ill finish this, Emily turned to Daniel. This isnt a café. It isnt a hotel. Its my home! Mine! And I will no longer let anyone boss me around.
Margaret threw her hands up. Daniel, do you hear what shes saying?
You havent heard me for five years, Emily continued. For five years Ive cooked and endured your visits. And you she looked at Danielhave never once taken my side. Not once!
Because youre wrong! Daniel flared. Youre acting like
Like what? Emily cut him off. Like someone tired of being a servant in her own house?
George rose. Wed better go. We dont want to stand in the way of your enlightenment.
Right, Emily nodded. Leave. And dont come back without an invitation.
Emily! Daniel grabbed her hand. Apologise. Now!
No, Emily pulled away. Enough. Choose, Daniel: either start respecting my boundaries or go back to your parents. For good.
A heavy hush fell. Emily watched Daniels gaze flick between her and his parents, then back again. At last he lowered his head.
Sorry, Emily. But theyre my family.
And me? Emily asked softly. What am I?
Daniel stared at her face, searching. You wont change your mind? he asked gloomily.
Emily shook her head. She had found the strength to claim her life, and she would not surrender it.
Daniel slipped on his coat and followed his parents out. The front door slammed, and the flat fell unnaturally quiet. Their marriage ended with that sound.
Emily sank into a chair. Tears did not come; instead a strange relief washed over her, as if a weight she had carried for years had finally dropped.
Her phone buzzeda message from Claire: How are you?
Emily smiled and began to type: Can you imagine, I finally.
