And Then She Realised Her Mother-in-Law Wasn’t Nearly as Difficult as She’d Thought All These Years The Morning of December Thirtieth Was Just Like Any Other From the Past Twelve Years Nadine and Dave Had Spent Together— He’d Gone Out Hunting as Usual, Their Son Was at Grandma’s, and Nadine Was Alone at Home Again. Over the Years, She’d Gotten Used to It—Dave Was an Avid Fisherman and Hunter, Spending Every Weekend and Holiday in the Woods—While Nadine Waited at Home. But Today, for Some Reason, She Felt Especially Lonely. Normally, She’d Busy Herself With Chores to Pass the Time Before New Year’s Eve, Which They’d Spent at Her Mother-in-Law’s Every Year, Nothing Ever Changing— But Today, She Didn’t Even Feel Like Doing Anything. So When Her Best Friend Since School, Irene—Twice-Divorced and Always Full of Life—Called to Invite Her Over for Some Company, Nadine Was Surprised to Feel Pleased. Initially, She Refused, but by Evening the Loneliness Was Too Much and She Gave In— And That’s When She Ran Into Greg, Her First School Crush, and Spent a Night She’d Regret the Next Morning. Returning Home to Find Her Husband Already Back Was a Shock—She Knew If He Discovered She’d Spent the Night Elsewhere, It Would Mean the End— But Then Her Mother-In-Law Phoned: “Don’t Worry, I’ve Covered for You—Told Dave You Spent the Night Looking After Aunt Cathy.” Nadine Had Always Thought Her Mother-in-Law Disliked Her and Was a Constant Source of Trouble, but Suddenly She Saw Her in a Different Light— When Nadine Tried to Thank Her Later, Her Mother-in-Law Just Winked and Said, “Don’t Worry, I Was Once Young With My Own Wandering Husband— The Key Is Not to Make a Habit of It, You Understand?” So Nadine Realised Her Mother-in-Law Wasn’t the Dragon She’d Thought After All—And Decided That Next Time, She’d Never Spend Another Night Away From Home Without Her Husband Knowing.

30th December the morning was no different from any other these past twelve years Amy and I have been married. Twelve years it rolls off the tongue, but looking back, its a lifetime of habits. Once again, I woke up to an empty house: Scott, my lad, spent the night round his grans, and Amy was left to her own devices. As always, Id set off at the crack of dawn for a shoot with the blokes in the woods, planning to be back around midday on New Years Eve. Its become an unspoken tradition same every year come rain or shine.

Truth be told, I rarely think about those left behind while I lose myself in the country air. Amys learned to deal with it by now housework, cooking, keeping herself busy. We spend New Years Eve at my mums, just like we have for years. Traditions comfort some, but sometimes I wonder how Amy feels about it all. Shes never said as much, but this time, something seemed different. She admitted later how the loneliness weighed on her, especially that day.

Normally, shed keep herself occupied. But, as she told me that night, this time nothing seemed worth doing. Dishes, laundry all of it slipped through her fingers. Its funny how a day like that can get under your skin. When her best friend Emily rang, Amy was actually grateful for the interruption. Emily, always the life of the party even after her divorce, never let a night go to waste. She was having a little get-together at hers and insisted Amy join.

Amy wasnt sure at first. But as night closed in and silence grew heavier, she found herself remembering. Not much changed, really our whole marriage has revolved around our home, our son, and not much outside it. Holidays? Always the same, usually visiting her mums little village. In a way, she was glad I bonded so well with her mum, but she’d always longed for a bit of adventure, a trip to the seaside, something to break routine.

That night, though, she decided enough was enough. Why not accept that invite and fill the empty house with laughter for once? She said she had a smashing time old mates from school, cheerful faces, good banter. Lo and behold, there was Tom. He was Amy’s first sweetheart, back in school. Somehow, the memories of teenage years and a couple of glasses of wine swept her away. That night, Amy and Tom spent together, lost in nostalgia.

She woke the next morning filled with regret, mortified by what had happened. She slipped out before Tom woke, hurrying home. When she stepped into our house and saw my coat already in the hallway, it struck her like a cold slap. Id gotten back earlier than planned.

She told me later how she thought Id find out and leave her; that if the shoe were on the other foot, she wouldnt have forgiven me either. She sat in that kitchen, cursing herself for acting so carelessly putting everything wed built at risk, even though she loved me. Then the phone rang. It was my mum.

Amy, love, not sure whats been going on, but Matthew tried to call you last night, couldnt get through. I told him you were at Auntie Susans, that she took ill, so you stayed to help. Dont let me down now, alright?

Amy was stunned. She admitted, she never expected my mum to cover for her like that. Their relationship had never been close my mum never warmed to her, said we married too young, and wed all clashed mightily living together our first few years. Once we moved out, we saw my parents mostly at the big family dos. Despite all that, she could see my mum had her back this once, and she was grateful.

Later that evening, as we went over to my parents for New Years, Amy pulled my mum aside. She wanted to thank her and confess but my mum waved it off.

Oh, dont fret, Amy. Think Im made of stone? Ive lived with Matthew for forty years. If anyone knows what its like loving a man more interested in his shotguns than his family, its me! Just see it doesnt become a habit, okay? Thats what matters.

Amy realised then my mother wasnt the old bat shed always thought. She understood, she really did. So, thats how it all ended Amy didnt lose her head or her family. As for me, writing this, Ive learnt something: sometimes, the people you underestimate pull through when you need them most. And maybe, I should pay a bit more attention to whats going on at home. After all, twelve years goes by in a flash youd be a fool to waste another.