Did you buy a flat on a mortgage? cried out Margaret, positively beaming with delight. Oh, darling, thats simply marvellous! Truly wonderful!
On the other end of the line, Emily laughed, and Margaret could hear her son-in-law muttering something in the background.
Mum, do keep your voice down, Emily chided gently, the neighbours might hear
Let them! Good news travels fast, Margaret replied with a wry grin. Now, when can I come see it? Today? Tomorrow? Ill bake that apple pieGrahams favourite.
There was a brief pause.
Come Saturday, Mum. By then the furniture will all be in place.
On Saturday, Margaret stood in the middle of the bright new sitting room, turning slowly to take in the high ceilings, wide windows, and the scent of fresh paint and timber. The new build had a freshness that filled her with hope.
The kitchens massive! Imagine, Mum, Emily said, leading her down the hall, and the balcony is glazed, just right for prams in the future.
Its splendid, Margaret ran her palm over the pristine wall. Graham, youve outdone yourself.
He simply offered a modest shrug.
Were doing our best, Mrs. Stevens.
Over lunch, Margaret helped herself to a second slice of pie and finally voiced the thought that had clung to her all morning.
I cant tell you how Ive worried for you. With you seven months along, Em, and still rentingwhere the landlady could have told you to leave at any moment. It wasnt right!
Emily exchanged glances with Graham. Margaret noticed her daughters lips tightening ever so slightly.
We managed, Mum, Emily said.
Managed! Margaret put her fork aside. Oh, I lost sleep over you, wondering how youd get by, what might happen. A child needs stabilitya home of their own.
Graham cleared his throat, pushing away his plate.
The payment isnt small. But we worked it out.
How much? Margaret asked, suddenly concerned.
Its fair, Emily replied quickly. Fair for London.
Margaret looked from daughter to son-in-law, at their tense shoulders and Grahams fixed gaze on the patterned tablecloth, and knew they were afraid, though neither would admit it.
Listen here, Margaret said solemnly. Ill help. Thats final. Grahams parents will pitch in too, wont they?
They promised, Graham nodded. Mum said shell give what she can each month.
See? Youll get through it. Together. No one is ever truly alone.
Emily smiled weakly, but that shadow of worry lingered in her eyes.
When baby Arthur was born that March, big and healthy-lunged, Margaret visited each week, cooking stews, washing nappies, pushing her grandson through the leafy courtyards of their block in his brand-new pram.
Life settled into a pleasant routine. Graham earned a promotion. Emily began hinting at a second child.
Two years passed, and little Sophie arrived. The flat was once again filled with the joyful chaos of toddlers, scattered toys, and sleepless nights. Margaret looked at her daughters happy eyes and thought, Yes, this is as it should be.
Then Graham was made redundant.
Margaret didnt learn of it at onceEmily dodged the topic, insisting everything was alright, just a bit tired, that was all. The truth only emerged when Margaret arrived unannounced and found her daughter in tears, surrounded by an intimidating stack of paperwork.
We cant keep up, Mum, Emily confessed softly. Three months behind. The bank calls every day.
Margaret helped in every conceivable way, gathered money from relatives and old friends, but it was never enough. Grahams parents had little to spare after his fathers spell in hospital.
And then, six months later, the flat was repossessed.
Margaret poured her anguish to her friend Barbara over tea, unable to lift the cup to her lips.
Theyre in a single-bedroom now, Margaret whispered, clutching the teacup. Both childrenArthurs four, Sophies two. Theres nowhere for them to grow, nowhere to runtheyre on top of each other all the time! Four in a single room!
Barbara shook her head. Oh Margaret, how dreadful!
I kept telling them it would all work out, Margaret wiped her eyes. Promised to help. But what can I do on a small pension and the odd bit of work here and there? It was me who convinced themtold them itd all be alright, no matter what!
You couldnt have known what would happen, Barbara soothed.
But does that make any difference? Margaret set her cup aside. Does it make it any easier on the children? On Emily?
Margaret buried her face in her hands. Shed thought Emily and her family had finally settled. But now, things were harder than ever. They had once managed in a rentalnow, with two children, things were tighter still.
Time passed.
Eventually, Emily and Graham paid off the bank. It was the best news in ages.
So what now? asked Margaret.
Were saving for a home again, Emily replied. Maybe something smaller this time.
Yes, thats best, Margaret nodded, though Emily couldnt see it over the phone. Your own place, thats what matters.
Another two years slipped by. When Arthur turned six, Margaret arrived at his birthday with an enormous box tucked under her arm. Shed spent hours choosing just the right seta model car garage hed talked about since winter.
Granny! Arthur rushed at her and clung to her waist. Is this really for me?
All for you, my lad, she kissed his messy hair. And this as well.
From her handbag, Margaret produced an envelope and handed it over. Arthur peeked inside, lips rounding in awe.
How much is this?
Around two hundred pounds, Margaret crouched to his level. Werent you saving for a new phone? Heres a start. Granny will help.
Arthur hugged the envelope to his chest and dashed away to show Sophie his presents. Emily stood quietly at the kitchen doorway, her expression unreadable, but Margaret missed the unusual set to her daughters mouth.
Two weeks later, Margaret called her grandson. Arthur answered after three rings.
Hullo, Granny!
Hello, love! How are you all? Been up to much?
Brilliant! Arthur babbled away. Mum got me new shorts and tops for summer, and trainers that light up!
Margarets heart skipped a beat.
New clothes? Where did your parents find the money?
Mum used what you gave me, Arthur sang out happily. Mum said well get the phone laterclothes were more important.
Margaret sat frozen, a slow heat growing in her chest.
Could you put your mum on? she asked quietly.
Shes busy.
All right, sweetheart. Bye for now.
Margaret ended the call and sat in silence for a long while. She realised shed need to have words with her daughter.
The next morning, Margaret was at Emilys door.
How could you? Margaret fumed. That money was a gift for Arthur! For himnot you!
Emily closed her eyes, weary.
Mum, pleasecalm down.
Calm down? Margaret spluttered. Arthur wanted a phone! Thats why I gave him the money to save for it! And you just spent it!
Emilys face became unreadable.
I did what I thought necessary, Mum.
Necessary? Margaret was beside herself. Spending someone elses money on shorts?
He needed clothes for summer, Emily answered, voice steady. We had no spare to spend.
And you couldnt speak to me first? Margaret stepped forward. Ask my opinion?
No, Mum, Emily shook her head. Its my house. Ill manage our money as I see fit. Please, its not your concern.
Not my concern? Margarets voice rose. After what happened with the mortgageyou already lost your flat! Its clear you and Graham are clueless!
Emily paled, but said nothing.
Now you even take money from your own son! Margaret went on, unable to stop. Shameful! Absolutely shameful!
Please leave, Mum, Emily said quietly. Goplease.
Margaret stormed out, not saying goodbye. Fury and hurt coiled within herher daughter was wrong, and now shed cast Margaret out! Well, Emily would come crawling back, no doubt, desperate for forgiveness.
But a month went by, and Emily neither called nor replied to messages.
So Margaret found herself once more in Barbaras kitchen, nervously twisting a paper napkin.
Shes disowned me, Margaret murmured, shaking her head. My own daughter! Wont let me see my grandchildren, ignores my calls.
Barbara poured more tea for her friend.
And what did you say to her, back then?
I told the truth! Margaret bristled. That they cant manage money, that theyre hopeless! And isnt it true?
Barbara was silent for a moment, looking out the window.
Who did you give the money to, Margaret?
My grandson, obviously.
So you gave it awaywasnt yours any more, was it? Barbara turned to her gently. You gave it to Arthur.
But it was meant for a phone!
They bought clothes with it, then, Barbara shrugged. He needed summer things more than a phone.
Margaret opened her mouth, but Barbara cut her off.
And perhaps you shouldnt have mentioned the mortgage. They paid off that debt for years, raised children, worked hard. Yet you called them hopeless.
I only meant it for the best, Margarets shoulders slumped. I only worry for them.
I know you worry, Barbara nodded. But in the end, all you did was hurt. Maybe its time to ring her first. Apologise?
Margaret pressed her lips together stubbornly and looked away. Noshe was the elder. She had only ever meant well.
