Twins?! blurted out Margaret Benson.
The woman tried to mask her displeasure, but it pulsed through every tight smile. Lily was well aware that she could not expect an ounce of sincerity from her mother-in-law. Margaret had never liked her, always seeing Lily as an unfitting match for her son. Meanwhile, most people quietly said George was a little too simple for a woman like Lily.
Lily was kind and clever; shed finished her degree in economics by the age of twenty-three and had landed a respectable job in a chain of private clinics. True, shed come from a small town, but her father managed the local factory, and her mother lectured at the towns university. No one could call her uneducated or ill-mannered. Yet Margaret always brushed her off as a small-town girl.
Well, congratulations! Margaret muttered. Double the joy!
Only she had no intention of sharing in such joy. Lilys pregnancy was touch and go, the doctors muttering about risk and complications. The worry never lifted; every week brought new threats of a premature birth. Lily spent months at the hospital, hardly ever at home. George visited daily, but his mother, who lived two short bus stops away, never once turned up.
Margaret didnt show for the twins homecoming, either. No matter how George pleaded, she kept away for the first forty days.
Its just not right! she declared. I might give them something. No, Ill see them when theyre stronger. Then theyll meet Granny.
The girls were three months old when Lily crossed paths with Margaret at the corner shop. Margarets lips stretched into a mask of a smile, and she said between her teeth:
Well, how are you and the little ones?
Lily gave her an honest smile.
Oh, just out for a walk! The pram is an absolute monster, but what can you do? Fresh airs needed!
Margaret nodded quickly and made to leave, but then she spotted her old friend striding towards them, waving.
Maggie! Hello! Oh heavens, are these your granddaughters?
Yes, Joan My treasures!
Lily remembered Joan Parkes and greeted her with a timid nod.
Two at once! Lily, how on earth did you manage? Youre so dainty!
Lilys a hero, Margaret announced.
Lily watched her mother-in-laws transformation in disbelief. A minute ago, Margaret looked ready to sprint from the twins; now she was playing the doting granny for Joans benefit. Lily heard snatches of conversationtwins, what happiness, Lily managing so well, Margaret helping daily. Lily listened in mute shock. When Joan finally remembered her errand and hastened off
Gosh, must dash! Bank wont wait! Take care, my dears!
Margaret waited thirty seconds, then her smile faded, and with a curt goodbye, she hurried away.
That evening, Lily relayed it all to George, who just shrugged.
Lily, thats just my mum. What did you expect? Even when we were kids, she made herself out as Supermum. Said shed spent hours helping me with schoolwork, but shed be sat with her soaps and never looked twice at my homework. Claimed shed walk my sister Lucy for three hours daily for her health, when actually shed just be doing her makeup while I took Lucy round the block Dont let it get to you. Please.
Lily had heard all this before, yet every time she found herself woven into these odd family charades, it unsettled her.
***
Years passed, but Margarets chill towards her son or granddaughters thawed not one bit. Then disaster struckone rainy Thursday, she tumbled from a taxi and broke her leg. In a flash of inspiration, Margaret declared:
I shall stay with you for a while!
George and Lily exchanged uneasy glances; they knew how it would go but could not say no.
Home became calamitous. They moved into the girls box room, and Margaret took their bedroom, transforming overnight into a third child. She needed meals, cleaning up, help to bathe, and endless errands fetched from the local shop.
The twins were two and a half, Lily was itching to return to work part-time, and the girls started nursery. Every morning was a mild drama: George and Lily dragged wailing daughters from their warm beds to usher them into the wide world.
One morning, just before leaving, Georges mobile hummed
Mum? Why are you calling? Youre in the next room!
I cant get up, my legs broken
Mum, youve got your crutch
Please, George! I dont need to stand to say what I must!
Right, go on then, quickly
I simply cannot stand the racket you make each morning. I cannot possibly sleep for the banging, the slamming, and your childrens endless shrieking!
George flushed and strode to her door, flinging it open.
If youre that bothered, shall we leave the girls here with you to look after, eh?!
Margaret fell silent in horror. She soon left their bedlam flat. She didnt even wait to get her cast removed. George didnt mind, but Lily felt uneasy, as if she was guilty for causing a rift. But what could she honestly have done, she wondered?
***
On Fridays, Lily only worked half the day. Shed fetch the girls after lunch, theyd buy snacks, and watch a childrens film together. This Friday was no differentshe spread cushions on the floor, switched on the projectorand the doorbell rang.
Lily opened it. Margaret stood in the doorway, clutching little Rory, her daughters son, by the hand.
Margaret, whats happened?
Lucys left him with me until evening, but I must dash out! Would you mind him for just a couple of hours, please?
Lily hesitated. Rory was six months younger than her daughtersa quiet sortso she knelt and smiled.
Rory, fancy staying with us for a bit?
He nodded, and when Lily looked up, Margaret was already at the lift.
Will you be long, Margaret?
Two hours, at most!
She didnt say goodbye to Lily or Rory, just bustled into the lift and vanished.
***
George came home at seven. When he saw Rory tucking into fishcakes at their kitchen table, he looked puzzled.
Alright, lad? Here on a visit? Wheres your mum, then?
Rory grinned at his uncle. Lily heaved a silent sigh. She did not want to be blamed for family friction, but how could she keep this to herself?
Your mum dropped him off… Just for a couple of hours. Then disappeared.
And when did this couple of hours start?
Nearly five hours ago…
Lily bit her lip, bracing herself.
Wheres Lucy, by the way?
I havent messaged her… Didnt want to get Margaret into trouble. She handed him over to her, after all.
Georges face darkened.
Lily, youre far too kind But this is madness! My mum didnt even say where she was going?
Lily shook her head. George grabbed his phone and rang his sister. When she heard Rory was there, Lucy promised to come straight over.
***
By eight-thirty, the kids played in the next room while Lily, George and Lucy sat around the kitchen table.
Are we actually going to wait for her? The children need to be in bed
Just this once, they can stay up. Mum needs talking to.
As soon as George finished his sentence, the doorbell rang. Lily opened the door.
Right! Ill take Rory, then! Margaret announced briskly.
Lily swallowed hard. Lucy and George appeared behind her.
Mum, have you any idea how rude this is?
You mind your manners, talking to your mother like that!
Mum, dont twist things! I left Rory with you, not Lily! What on earth were you thinking?
Margaret laughed.
Oh, what does it matter, Lucy? Shes got two of her own, well used to kids. I had errands to run!
George took a step forward.
Mum, what errands, exactly? Dont you think thats cheeky, taking advantage of her and not even asking?
Oh, whats there to ask about!
Where were you, then?
Now Lucy almost giggled.
Well, judging by your hair, you popped into the hairdresseryour hair was longer this morning. Then your nailscame back from the salon too, didnt you? They were red this morning, now theyre pink.
Margaret faltered, unable to answer.
Arent you ashamed? George repeated.
She stared mutely. After a moments silent stand-off, Lucy exploded:
You get asked for help once in a blue moon, and you shove Rory off onto my sister-in-law?! What if she fancied an afternoon at the salon, or a haircut, or a break?
Margaret turned red and puffed up, readying herself to set everyone in their place.
Oh, George! What haircut? What nails? Shes a little nobody from Nowhereshire! She always was, always will be.
For a moment there was a hush.
Then, thunderous
OUT!
George seized his mothers arm and propelled her out the door with a single motion. He slammed the door and exhaled. When he looked up, he saw tears streaming down Lilys cheeks. Both he and Lucy rushed to comfort her.
It hurt Lily bitterly. But she realised that Margaret had never cared for any of her children or grandchildrenthat it wasnt truly about her at all. Lily dearly wanted to be good, but perhaps with the wrong person, you simply never can be.
After that, contact with Margaret faded. George and Lucy helped their mother occasionally, but Margaret simply stayed out of the familys day-to-day life. She nursed her wounded pride for a while, but the urge to remain among her children eventually won, and she made a show of peacemaking. Still, she never once helped with the grandchildren.
One day, scrolling the family group chat, Lily noticed Margaret had posted a photo of all three grandchildren, captioned: Happy Grandmothers Day to all of us, who raised our grandchildren! Lily gave a bitter little smile. That evening, George and Lucy ridiculed their mothers post. Lily knew it was wrong to join in, but couldnt help herselfthe urge to laugh was just too strong.
