Whats this now? Where are you off to? And whos meant to cook the meals? Why the rush? Somebody has to put food on the table! the man snapped, watching in dismay as his wife, Eleanor, stormed off after yet another row with his mother.
Eleanor glanced out the window. Gloomy clouds loomed, though spring had only just begun. In their little village up in Yorkshire, sunny days were rare as hens teeth. Perhaps that was why the folk who lived there always seemed so down in the mouth, their faces pinched with cold.
Lately, Eleanor had caught herself frowning more often than nota permanent crease between her brows that made her look a decade older.
Mum! Im going out, announced her daughter, Imogen.
Right, Eleanor muttered.
Whats that supposed to mean? Give me some money.
Since when do walks cost anything? Eleanor sighed.
Mum! Must you always question me? Imogen huffed. Come on, hurry up! Is that all youre giving me?
Enough for ice cream.
Cheapskate, Imogen muttered, but her mother didnt hearher daughter was already out the door, slamming it shut behind her.
Eleanor shook her head in disbelief. She remembered when Imogen had been a sweet little thing, before the teenage years turned her sour.
Ellie, my stomachs growling! How much longer? grumbled her husband, Thomas, from the sitting room.
Fix it yourself, she replied flatly, setting a plate on the table.
Arent you bringing it over?
Eleanor nearly dropped the saucepan. The nerve of him.
We eat in the kitchen, Thomas. Take it or leave it, she said, sitting down alone.
Fifteen minutes later, Thomas shuffled in.
Its cold disgusting.
I left it out longer.
I asked you nicely! Not a scrap of care or love in you. You know Ive got the match on! He shoveled down the chicken, barely chewing. Tastes like cardboard.
Eleanor rolled her eyes. Football turned Thomas into a different manbets, kits, expensive ticketsthough in his youth, hed never given sport a second thought.
Without sitting, he snatched a beer, a bag of crisps, and marched back to the telly. Eleanor stayed to scrub the dishes.
All that effort, and no one even noticed.
She was bone-tired after her shift as a senior nurse at the hospital. Patients came to her with their aches and pains, their tempers frayed by illness. So it wentstress at work, and at home, not a moments peace, just another shift: fetch, carry, wash, tidy.
Any more left? Thomas called, rifling through the fridge. Whys it all gone?
You drank it dry! Must I do the shopping too? Have some shame, Thomas! Eleanor finally snapped.
Ooh, arent we particular? he teased, then stormed off in a huff to restock his emergency supplies for the next match.
Eleanor decided to turn in earlytomorrow would be another long day. But sleep wouldnt come. She fretted over Imogenwhere was she, and with whom? Outside, night had fallen, yet no sign of her. She didnt dare calllast time, Imogen had shrieked down the phone.
Youre embarrassing me in front of my friends! Stop calling!
After that, Eleanor stopped trying, telling herself Imogen was nearly eighteen. Work? No interest. Studying? Same. Shed left school and was taking a gap year to find herself.
Just as Eleanor dozed off, Thomass cheers jolted her awakesomeone mustve scored. Then came the loud commentary with their neighbour, whod popped in and stayed. Later, the neighbour brought his girlfriend, and the three of them cheered raucously.
Sometime past midnight, Imogen returned, clattering plates before flouncing off to bed. When silence finally settled, Eleanor drifted offonly for the cat to yowl for food.
Is there anyone else in this house who can feed the bloody cat besides me? Furious, weary from the headache and sleepless night, Eleanor stormed out, hoping someone would hear. But Imogen had her earbuds in, scrolling mindlessly. Thomas lay snoring before the telly, a beer can still in hand.
Ive had enough, Eleanor thought.
The next morning, her mother-in-laws call roused her.
Eleanor, dear, you havent forgotten its planting season? And the cottage needs seeing to.
I remember, Eleanor sighed.
Well set off tomorrow.
Her one day off vanished in a flurry of chores under her mother-in-laws watchful eye.
Not like that! Hold the broom properly! The older woman barked orders from her perch on the garden bench.
Im nearly fifty, Margaret. I can manage, Eleanor dared to reply.
And Thomas
Where is Thomas? Why isnt he here? Why did we have to take the bus three hours just to tend to your cottage? Why is it always about him?
Hes tired.
And Im not?
Then it all spilled out. Eleanor regretted it instantly. Margaret was a woman who loved the sound of her own voiceespecially when it came to doling out fairness, though hers was a one-sided sort. All her life, shed coddled Thomas while treating Eleanor like some grudgingly tolerated servant.
They rode back in opposite cars. The next day, Margaret complained to her son, and Thomas flew into a rage.
How dare you speak to my mother like that! he growled. If it werent for her
What? Eleanor folded her arms. She knew she couldnt take another day of this.
Youd still be at that little clinic! He played his trump cardMargaret had pulled strings to get Eleanor the hospital job. Better pay, but it cost her nerves and grey hairs. More than once, shed regretted leaving the quiet clinic for the chaos.
Thomas gaped as Eleanor did the unthinkable.
What she did next, hed never have believed.
