Emily, Ive been promoted! she shrieked, her voice snapping into a squeaky laugh as she slipped off her shoes on the way in. Can you believe it? With bonuses itll be almost two thousand pounds! Hooray!
She burst into the sittingroom, ready to throw her arms around my neck. I froze on the sofa, and beside me, leaning against the arm of the armchair, was my motherinlaw, Margaret. Emilys smile froze on her lips. The air grew thick, heavy, and her cheeks flushed with a sudden heatshed come in like a schoolgirl whod just got an A on a test, and now my motherinlaw was sizing her up with a stern, appraisallike gaze.
I pushed myself up from the sofa, though I didnt quite stand. Margaret stayed silent, studying her daughterinlaw from head to toe. Seconds stretched into a sticky pause. Emily clenched the handle of her handbag and dropped her gaze to the floor. The joy that had been bubbling just moments before now felt out of place, childish.
Emily, thats wonderful news! Margarets voice finally cut through the hush, and Emily snapped her head up.
A broad smile blossomed on Margarets face. She moved toward Emily, arms opening wide, and the young woman took an uncertain step forward. Margaret wrapped her arms around herbriefly but firmlyand gave a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Congratulations, love! Youve earned it! she said.
Thank you, Emily managed, still trying to process what was happening.
I rose from the sofa and came closer, a genuine, warm smile playing on my own lips.
I always knew youd pull it off, I said, pulling her gently around the waist.
Margaret stepped back a pace, folded her hands in front of her, and shook her head.
This is going to change our lives for the better, she declared.
Emily nodded, unsure how to reply. Margarets words sounded right, but there was something else hidden in themsomething Emily couldnt quite catch.
Alright, kids, I wont get in the way, Margaret said, picking up her handbag from the armrest and heading for the door. Enjoy yourselves, youve earned it.
I escorted my motherinlaw to the exit. Emily stayed standing in the middle of the room. The door clicked shut, and I returned. My smile was still there, but a flicker of unease passed through my eyes.
What was that about? Emily asked, settling on the edge of the sofa and looking at me.
What do you mean? I replied, heading to the kitchen and turning on the kettle.
She rose and followed me.
What about your mother? Why did she come over?
I fetched two mugs from the cupboard.
Its nothing, just a small matter, I waved it off. Dont worry about it.
Victor!
I sighed, turned back to Emily, fatigue showing in my eyes.
My father and I took out a loan for two thousand pounds. We wanted to replace some furniture, but now the moneys short and we cant keep up with the repayments.
Emily nodded. The kettle whistled as the water boiled. I poured the hot water into the mugs, dropped the tea bags in, and handed her her cup. She cupped it with both hands, feeling the warmth spread through her fingers. A sticky, heavy foreboding settled inside hershe couldnt explain where it came from, but it was there.
What did you say to her? she asked quietly.
I told her Id help when I could. You know weve got no spare cash at the moment.
She nodded again, took a sip, the hot liquid burning her lips, but she paid it no mind. Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, trying to make sense of why my words didnt soothe her.
The next two weeks flew by. My new role swallowed Emily wholetasks piled up one after another, my schedule tightened, yet she relished every day. It was exactly what shed been aiming for, and now that shed reached the goal, a deep satisfaction settled inside her. She came home exhausted but content.
One evening Emily left the office a bit early. Rain drizzled outside as she hurried to the car, turned the heater on, and on the way home stopped at a shop to pick up a few essentialsbread, milk, something for dinner. Back at the house she stripped off her wet coat, tossed it on a hook, and headed to the kitchen to unpack her groceries.
Ten minutes later the doorbell rang. Emily wiped her hands on a towel and went to answer it. Standing on the doorstep was Margaret, umbrella-less, hair dripping, wearing an old coat. No smile crossed her face.
Hello, Emily, she said, stepping inside. Is Victor home?
No, hes still at work. Is something wrong? Emily asked.
Margaret sank onto the sofa, looking Emily up and down.
Emily, Ill get straight to the point. I need some moneyjust a littleabout a thousand pounds.
Emily froze in the doorway.
You know were in a tight spot. The loan is pressing, the pensions arent enough. And now youre suddenly welloffcan you help?
Emily stayed silent, unsure what to say. Awkwardness mixed with irritation tightened in her chest.
I Margaret, I dont have cash on me, she began, but Margaret cut her off.
No problem, just transfer it. You have a phone, dont you?
Emily stared at her, realizing arguing was pointless. Margarets gaze was steady, expectant, leaving no room for doubt that Emily would comply.
She sent the money as asked. Margaret nodded and headed for the door.
Thank you, love.
The door shut behind her, and Emily was left standing in the hallway. Only then did she realise Margaret hadnt mentioned when or how shed repay. No promise, no timelinejust taken the cash and left.
It left a sour taste in Emilys mouth.
Two weeks later Emily received her first big paycheck. The figure on her phone screen made her grinit was real, earned. On the way home she stopped at a store and bought a cake, sushi and a pizza, eager to celebrate with me, to have a little party.
She went up to our flat, opened the door, and stepped inside. Voices drifted from the living room. She walked further, bags in hand, and halted at the threshold. Margaret was there, sitting on the sofa, and I was there too, looking weary.
Emily set the bags down by the entrance.
Did something happen? she asked.
Margaret lifted her eyes to Emily, and in them Emily saw something like desperation mixed with anger. She moved closer.
Emily, love, were in trouble. The pensions dont cover anything, and we have to pay the loanthirty pounds a week until the end of the month. Were at our wits end
Emily furrowed her brow as Margaret spoke quickly, almost frantic, as if afraid Emily would cut her off.
We really need help, Emily. Thirty pounds isnt much, is it?
I rose from the sofa.
Mum, I have no money. Id love to help, but Ive got nothing left. Not a penny.
Margaret turned her gaze to the bags at Emilys feet.
And look, Emilys got moneyshe even bought treats, she said, stepping closer. Youll help, wont you? After all, youre family.
Emily took a step back. The distance between them was now only a foot.
Youre a good daughterinlaw, right? You wont leave the family in need. Who else can we turn to? Margaret pressed, her voice rising.
Emilys throat tightened. The audacity of the woman was beyond anything shed imagined.
Why should I help you? Emily finally managed.
Margarets eyes flashed with certainty.
Because youre now the highest earner in the family. Its a childs duty to support their parents, even to provide for them.
Yes, parents, Emily replied, stepping further back. But my parents, not yours.
Margarets face twisted. She stepped even closer, her voice louder.
Im your husbands motheryouve forgotten that? Were family! Youre obligated to help us!
No, Im not obligated to anyone! Emily snapped, clenching her fists. I have plans for that money, my own family. If the loan is that huge, you shouldnt have taken it in the first place.
Margaret turned to me.
Victor! Do you hear what shes saying? Put your wife in her place! What a cheek!
I walked over to my mother, my expression hardening.
Mum, thats enough. If you need money, ask me, not Emily. She owes you nothing.
Margaret opened her mouth, but I stopped her.
Im taking you out. This conversation is over.
I grabbed her elbow and led her toward the door. Emily stood in the living room, listening as the door shut behind them. A minute later I returned. She lifted the bags from the floor and looked at me.
Shall we celebrate? I asked, smiling tiredly but sincerely.
I pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
Congratulations on your first big salary, love. Youre brilliant.
She rested her head against my chest, closed her eyes, and a calm settled over her. Now she was sure Margaret wouldnt be coming back for more money. In that moment she realised nothing else mattered; Victor was on her side, and that was all that counted. The future was clear, and there was no longer any darkness looming over her.
