But Thats His Mum
What overdue payment? You must have the wrong people we dont have any loans Margaret protested, pressing the phone harder to her ear. Yes, the Smiths. Yes, this is our address, but How much? That cant be right. Whose name is the loan even under?
The voice on the other end replied, Mr. William Edward Smith.
Thats my husband but how could he? And why? Margarets voice wavered with confusion.
Im sorry, the voice softened, but the rules are the same for everyone. The deadlines been missed. This is the reminder. Next comes the other measures.
Margaret moved through the house, not even certain how she fetched herself in front of the computer. It must have been the shock. She needed to get to the bottom of this. Thered never been a credit card in Williams name not one shed seen, anyway so whatever had been borrowed wasnt for the household. What was going on?
Work became impossible, the strange conversation spinning in her head like the London Eye. When William finally came home, Margaret barely let him set down his bag.
Who was the money for? Who asked you to take out a loan?!
They beat me to it I suppose I took too long. They called you, William muttered, irritated, then realised hed said too much. Turning on his heel, he snapped defensively, Why are you staring? It was for Mum. She needed help. Shes on her own
And what does she need such a sum for? We do with less, and both of us work full time!
She wanted a holiday, all right?
Wheres she going then the Seychelles or the Maldives?
My mum raised me alone. She deserves it. Didnt expect this from you He sulked off to the sitting room, dropped heavily in his favourite armchair, and fixed his eyes on the wall. It was his usual ruse: moody silence until Margaret caved.
But this time, Margaret didnt play along. She simply stopped speaking. Her mother-in-law had always been too present in their marriage for comfort. Dorothy Smith was keen on making demands, and had been ever since she first set eyes on Margaret. At their first meeting, Dorothy had studied the earrings in Margarets ears and asked whether the stones were real or just a bit of costume jewellery.
When Margaret said she didnt wear imitations, Dorothy sighed theatrically. Why waste money like that? Ought to spend it on something useful for your home
It was a gift, Margaret replied, unsettled by the critique.
Oh, well, if it was a present Dorothys mood turned on a sixpence.
A week later, William sheepishly asked Margaret not to wear the earrings to his mums place. Shes upset she hasnt got anything like them, he said, and I cant afford to buy her a pair.
Even back then, Margarets doubts had crept in. But young love swept uncomfortable thoughts aside. The wedding came and went. Dorothy had shone in a fashionable suit and delivered an expensive present, but months later Margaret discovered every last item had been purchased by William. Otherwise, his mother had refused to attend her own sons wedding.
From then on, the requests snowballed: a shiny new telly, a hairdryer just like her sisters, payment for beauty salons and treatments always urgent, always essential. Dorothy would weep and lament her poor health the instant her wishes were at risk. William was utterly helpless in the face of his mothers tears.
Its Mum, hed say. How could I not help?
But now he had a wife, a home, expenses yet still, nothing was left for them. Margaret wondered, incredulously, how two people with decent salaries constantly found themselves skint. William simply shrugged.
Darling, youve just not learned how to manage a household budget. You could take a page from my mum.
But Margaret had no intention of learning from her mother-in-law. Their relationship was prickly from the start. She had seen Dorothys sort before and preferred to keep her at arms length.
Now, this was the final straw a holiday and a loan that could have cleared half a mortgage, furnished the flat, and left money over for a grand night out at the best restaurant in town.
It was clear William had no plans to change: everything, always, for his mother. Margaret might have accepted even that, if only hed spoken to her first. But he hadnt. If something went wrong, the loan would have fallen to her. Dorothy, as usual, would be blameless.
It was time for a straight talk with William; time for him to choose his priorities or, at the very least, tell his mother her expectations were too high. But it ended with William accusing her of being cold and materialistic.
Ive paid off that debt, Ill make good on it all, and Im sick to death of this. Mum doesnt do cheap holidays she wants first class! She gave me everything! Why shouldnt I give her a bit of luxury?
Maybe she cant keep up with her own demands. Someone has to tell her that.
Ill tell you this: my mum is a saint
That was when Margaret saw how hopeless it all was. She knew Dorothy was jealous of any woman in Williams life; she called daily, begging William to come over she missed her Wills so much and hed drop everything and dash the length of the city, because Mum is asking!
After that row, the Smiths went to work the next day without making up. By lunchtime, Margaret felt faint, and her worried colleagues insisted on a GP visit. Thats when Margaret found out she was expecting. Surely, this would help William see sense a perfectly good reason to rethink their finances.
Her joy was premature. William was horrified, begged her to wait with the baby and pushed for a termination. Then Dorothy started calling, too. She didnt beg she issued orders.
I dont want to be a grandmother! What do you think youre doing, roping him in with a baby? Hell only leave; hes been trying to get away from someone like you for ages. Do as he says, or youll not see a penny in support.
Margaret felt the world spin and blacked out, coming to in a hospital bed.
Awake at last, I see, came a familiar voice Nurse Anne Chapman, Dorothys neighbour.
Mrs Chapman, I didnt know you worked here
Best if you never did, dear, Anne laughed. Thought itd be a matter of choosing between you or the little one.
What?
Calm down. Its all right. What put you in such a state, then?
Margaret told her story. Anne frowned, then offered some advice.
Ditch that family, love. William wont change, and his motherll torment every woman he marries. Dorothy drove her husband into an early grave with all her wants and Williams just like his father, never crosses his mum. Trust me, you wont win.
But he married me
To this day I cant see why. Plenty of girls scarpered after one tea with Dorothy. Anyway, its your life. And what does William think of fatherhood?
After hearing Margarets reply, Anne muttered a few choice words about mummys little darling. It felt like a magic spell Margaret reached her decision. Shed manage on her own. William had already made his choice, even if he didnt know it.
Margaret filed for divorce as soon as she was back at work. William didnt fight to save their marriage. She said nothing to him about the babys survival.
A year later, newly free, Margaret was strolling through the park with her little girl.
Imagine running into you! Why wont you let me see my granddaughter? came the all-too-familiar voice behind her.
Shes not your granddaughter, Margaret replied calmly. That child you and William wanted gone well, she never was born. This one is mine. Only mine. And she already has her own grandmother.
How dare
I dare. If the title of grandmothers so vital, why not help William find someone wholl play along?
Margaret left with a smile, not bothering to answer the furious words thrown after her. She knew shed escaped in time: a cut-loose husband shackled to his mother, and an overbearing mother-in-law lost to excess. Shed made the right choice and at last, she was free.
