Again a girl?! Eleanor Smith roared, her voice trembling as she stormed into the hallway. Weve done everything for youeducation, a proper upbringingyet you cant even give my son an heir!
Emily went pale. She had just been discharged from the maternity ward, still weak from a third pregnancy at her age, and now her motherinlaw was rattling off accusations. It was a relief she hadnt been home for the birth; otherwise the visit would have ruined everyones mood.
Theres no point to you, Eleanor snapped. All you do is produce lazy dependents, drat it!
Emilys patience snapped.
How can you speak like that about your own grandchildren? Have you lost your mind?
Better than you, I suppose, Eleanor retorted. Its a shame my son Andrew never had any luck with his wife.
Why are you even here? Get out! No one asked you!
Emily hadnt invited her at all. She would have kept the door shut if it werent for a coincidence: she was juggling the newborn in her arms while waiting for her older daughter, Harriet, who had promised to drop by and help. When the doorbell rang, Emily opened the door without peeking through the peephole, wondering who could be at the threshold.
Eleanor didnt make it past the doorway. She stood on the landing, shouting at her daughterinlaw. First she asked, Boy or girl?a question she should have been told earlierand then launched into a tirade.
Summoning a burst of courage, Emily slammed the door shut in Eleanors face, let out a heavy sigh, and sank onto the sofa. The shouting woke the baby, who needed soothing. Thankfully Harriet would be there soon to tidy the house, cook a meal, and sort the laundry.
—
If Emily and Andrew hadnt gotten pregnant, they might never have married. Andrew was a promising secondyear university student; Emily was a year younger and had left school to work. They met through mutual friendsAndrew was a mate of Emilys colleague. When Emilys parents learned of the pregnancy, they pressed for a wedding. The couple rushed into marriage despite Andrews parents objections. Even then, Eleanor warned that the wayward Emily would ruin a bright boys career. She claimed Andrew was a star, on a governmentfunded navigation course, and that Emily would only drag him down.
Eleanor seemed to worry not just about her daughterinlaw but also about the future child. When their first child, Harriet, was born, Eleanor kept repeating:
Since youve started having children so early, hurry up with the next one. My son needs an heir!
Harriet was barely six months old at the time. Both families pitched in: Emilys mother helped with babysitting, Andrews parents sent money, and Eleanor expected endless gratitudeperhaps even a poem in her honour. She never praised Andrew directly, so all her complaints were aimed at Emily.
Youd have nothing without us! Were feeding you and the baby, otherwise you couldnt even afford nappies. Id be washing diapers all day if it werent for us
Emily muttered a thankyou for the tenth time that morning.
Eleanor made her feelings clear whenever she visited. She would point out a scum on the kettle, rummage through the fridge, and comment on the dust.
You look short of breath, she once exclaimed, eyes narrowed. Andrew was at college, leaving Eleanor free to needle Emily. You never clean, you never dust.
A few weeks later, Eleanor dragged a kitchen trolley into the hallway and perched on it, sweeping every surface she could reach.
See? I told you! This place is a dustbin! No wonder you cant breathe properly!
Emily just lowered her head, too weary to argue.
What kind of lazy housewife would let a home become a mess while you sit around doing nothing? Eleanor hissed. She also mocked Emilys maternity leave, despite Harriet being a year and a half old.
—
When Harriet started nursery, Emily was shocked at how swiftly three years of maternity had vanished. She had no qualifications, no work experience, and felt trapped in domestic routine while Andrew was finishing his degree and preparing for a promising career. She decided she needed a qualification, even if it meant studying parttime. Her parents supported her, and Andrew, when he heard the plan, smiled and said she was doing the right thing.
Eleanor, as usual, turned up unannounced, claiming she had a right to be there because she helped the couple with their rental. She caught Emily in the midst of rummaging through piles of paperwork for copies of her school certificate.
What are you doing? Eleanor asked, a mix of surprise and contempt in her tone.
I need copies of my GCSEs, but I cant find them, Emily replied, unaware that Eleanor was about to erupt.
The what now? Eleanor shouted, startling Emily. You want to go back to school?
Emily explained she wanted to study for a degree. Eleanors voice turned sour.
Studying is fine, but who will look after the child? she snapped.
Harriet will go to nursery.
Anyway, you should have other priorities. Education is for the single, not for mothers!
Emily stayed silent, her lips pressed together in hurt.
Youll end up like your sonmarried young, stuck in a deadend job! Eleanor continued, her tone dripping with bitterness.
I want to study, Emily whispered.
At least think about it before you ruin our family, Eleanor snarled.
Emily steadied herself and replied, A son needs a welleducated mother as a good role model. He shouldnt be ashamed of his mum.
Eleanor fell silent, then muttered through clenched teeth, If youre so keen, study. But dont expect any money from us.
Emily didnt need the cash; she secured a place on a grant at a modest university, trained as an accountant, and found a job. Andrew spent long periods at sea, so the household fell largely to Emily, but she managed work, childcare, and the endless demands of Eleanor with growing resilience.
—
Years passed. Harriet entered secondary school, teachers praised her intelligence. Emily and Andrew worked hard, while Eleanor never missed a chance to offer unsolicited advice.
Why is your child always buried in books? Eleanor complained one afternoon, pretending to be concerned about Andrews return from a voyage. You should get outside for a walk, its good for health.
Well finish her homework quickly and head out in an hour, Emily replied. We already have her in a dance class.
Dancing now? Thats nonsense! Proper girls dont fuss with dance, they should be learning something respectable, Eleanor scoffed.
Its folk dance, half the class does it, Emily said.
Whatever. Youre just filling her head with frivolities. Soon the boys will be around, and youll regret it! Eleanor snarled.
Emilys patience snapped. How dare you speak to me like that! Youve no right to lecture my daughter!
Andrew entered just then, hearing the raised voices. He tried to calm his mother.
Mother, please stop. Emilys doing her best, he said gently.
Eleanor huffed, Look at what shes raising!
Andrew winced but defended his wife. Were doing fine, thank you.
Eleanor muttered, We wont be getting any more of your money!
Andrew, a senior seafarer, earned well and hadnt needed his parents money for years, so Eleanors threats fell flat.
When Harriet finished Year 9, Emily discovered she was pregnant again. Andrew was over the moon, practically carrying his wife around the house.
Expecting a boy? Emily asked with a wry smile.
Doesnt matter to me, Andrew replied. Just a healthy baby.
Eleanor, however, kept harping on needing a grandson, not another granddaughter.
Do try for a son, she whispered to Emily.
If it were up to me, Id try, but I cant control that, Emily answered dryly.
When their second daughter, Lily, was born, Eleanor was so upset she didnt speak to the couple for two weeks. She also missed the hospital discharge, which left Andrew bitter toward his mother for her absence. Their relationship soured; Eleanor kept accusing Andrew of being ungrateful and of squandering money shed helped them with in their early years. She even began to call him a bad father.
Family gatherings became strained. Andrews father, a sensible man, continued to love his grandchildren, while Eleanors presence was a constant source of tension. Over time, the family learned to keep a distance from her. They bought a mortgagefree flat, paid it off, and settled into a comfortable routine.
Harriet went to university, married, and started her own family. Lily earned a scholarship and moved to another city for her studies. Emily and Andrew lived quietly, enjoying peaceexcept for the occasional call from Eleanor.
One morning, Emilys stomach began to protest after a heavy lunch at the office. She blamed it on the cafeteria food and a sudden craving for pickled onions and cucumber.
Whats got you reaching for the pickles? Andrew joked as he prepared to set sail again.
Its just a craving, Emily sighed. Ive never wanted a proper pickle sandwich before.
She chalked it up to age, never having such strong urges before. Then the doctor called with news: she was expecting again, quite late in her pregnancy. The news shocked her, but Andrew, still at sea, promised to return as soon as possible.
Emily called Eleanor, who erupted into a tirade.
Youre trying to ruin my sons career with another baby! Eleanor yelled.
Whats happened? Emily stammered.
I heard youre having another child, that youre planning to cut your husbands voyage shortdont you know what that does to his reputation? Eleanor blurted.
Its true were expecting, Emily replied calmly. Im not making anything up.
Youre getting old, you know. Women your age dont usually have babies, Eleanor scoffed.
Im not old, Emily snapped. Women older than me still have children.
Eleanor hung up. It became clear Andrew wouldnt be able to cut his rotation short; hed be at sea for at least another month. Emily accepted the reality of a third child and suggested Andrew keep his schedule.
Why make a fuss over nothing? she wrote.
Well have a baby, thats not a problem, Andrew replied.
Its fine, well manage, Emily assured him.
When Eleanor realised Andrew was still on his next voyage, she softened a little, phoning a few times to check on Emilys health. She even asked about an ultrasound, only to be told Emily wanted to keep the babys gender a surprise.
From then on, Eleanors tone mellowed. She sent gifts through Lily, still muttering that a grandson would be a fine heir for the familys maritime legacy. When the baby arriveda healthy girl named RoseEleanor didnt attend the discharge, but she sent a card and a small wreath.
Harriet, now a university student, helped her mother with the newborn and kept the house running. When the doorbell rang, she found her grandmother in the hallway, clutching her coat and muttering about missed chances.
Are you alright, Gran? Harriet asked, voice soft.
Its nothing, Eleanor replied, looking away. Just thought Id drop by.
Harriet laughed gently, Were fine, Gran. You dont need to worry.
The family settled back into their quiet rhythm, with Andrews occasional returns, Lilys calls from university, and Harriets visits. The old tensions with Eleanor faded into occasional, polite phone calls.
Life went on, the children grew, and the house, once filled with shouting, now echoed with laughter and the occasional clink of a teacup. The saga of meddling inlaws became just another story to be told over a Sunday roast.
