She also realised that her mother-in-law wasnt nearly as unbearable as shed always imagined.
The morning of the 30th December started much like any other had for the past twelve years thats exactly how long Helen and Peter had been together. Everything was routine: as usual, he left early in the morning for a hunting trip and wouldnt be back until lunchtime on New Years Eve. Their son was with his grandmother, and once again, Helen found herself at home alone.
After all these years, shed grown used to it. Peter was an avid fisherman and hunter, always out in the countryside whenever there was a weekend or a holiday, regardless of the weather, while she waited for him at home.
But today, for some reason, she felt especially blue and lonely.
In the past, she would spend such days cleaning the house, cooking, or tackling any number of chores that always seemed to pile up. New Years Day was only tomorrow, and as usual for twelve years now, theyd celebrate it at her mother-in-laws. Nothing ever changed. But today, she struggled to get anything done, and everything seemed to slip from her hands.
So when her best friend from school, Emily, rang her, Helen was genuinely relieved. Emily never let things get her down, was recently divorced, and often hosted little gatherings at her place. This time was no different; she called and said,
Well, I see youre home alone again, she said, not so much asking as stating the obvious, Peter off in the woods again? Pop round to mine tonight, a great bunch is coming over no point moping about at home!
Helen didnt promise anything, nor did she intend to go out. But as evening wore on, her sadness grew. It suddenly struck her just how much she resented her husbands absence today. All these years, Helens world had been work, home, her son and nothing else. They never went out anywhere. Peter found visiting other people tedious; his mind was always on fishing or hunting, and Helen didnt want to go alone.
That was the reason theyd never gone on holiday, always spending it at Helens mums cottage in the countryside. She was grateful, of course, that her husband got on so well with her mother, but sometimes she longed to see the seaside or at least a bit of the world.
That evening, she thought, Why not pop round to Emilys? Better than being alone. She got herself ready and went over, and it turned out to be a lovely evening old schoolmates, friends, a lot of laughter. Helen had a wonderful time.
And then, to her surprise, there was Graham her first crush from school. Somehow the evening took its own course, and before she really knew what was happening, she ended up spending the night with Graham. She hadnt really drunk much, but the mix of old memories and emotions simply swept her away.
The next morning, she was mortified and uncomfortable desperate to forget the whole embarrassing ordeal. She quite literally made a run for it out of Grahams flat.
When she got home, surprise awaited her: the first thing she saw as she stepped into the hall was Peters jacket, which meant hed come back early.
Her knees nearly gave way from fear. If her husband found out she hadnt slept at home, she could already picture the dreadful row that would follow, Peter storming out and leaving her she knew hed never forgive something like that. To be honest, she knew she wouldnt, either.
She cursed herself for being so reckless and foolish as to nearly ruin her marriage. She did love her husband! But the ringing of the house phone brought her back to her senses.
It was her mother-in-law.
Ive no idea whats going on with you two, she said, but Peter rang in the night couldnt get hold of you. I told him you were at Aunty Cathys, that shed been taken ill and you were keeping her company. So dont let me down, all right?
Of all people, Helen never expected this kind of help from her mother-in-law. Their relationship had always been a bit odd no outright arguments, but Margaret had never truly warmed to her. Shed opposed their marriage from the start, thinking they were far too young, and after the wedding, those first years of all living under one roof had been hard work.
Once she and Peter got their own place, their contact with Margaret became minimal, both keeping out of each others way except for family celebrations. But right now, Helen was truly grateful whatever happened next, at least her husband wouldnt know the truth.
That evening, they both went over to visit Margaret, and while Peter was elsewhere, Helen took the chance to thank her mother-in-law and confess. But Margaret wouldnt hear of it.
Oh, dont start, she waved Helen off. You think Im not human? I know what its like living with a man who sees nothing in life but his hobbies. Im no saint, either Look at my Peter, she nodded towards her husband in the next room, all his life vanishing off into the woods you think it doesnt hurt? The main thing is not to make a habit of it you know what I mean?
Helen did indeed understand and saw her mother-in-law in an entirely new light, realising she wasnt nearly the ogre shed always made her out to be. She understood plenty.
So the whole episode ended rather well after all, and Helen made herself a quiet promise that she wouldnt spend another night out without her husband again.
