I never expected this from my husband
Claire, we have to do something sighed Margaret down the crackling old phone line.
Whats happened? asked her younger sister, a note of worry slipping into her voice.
Margarets phone call had put Claire on edge. They usually just exchanged the odd message these days, but tonight Margaret had insisted they speak properly.
Mother can’t live alone any longer, Margaret said, reproachful. I wish youd visit her more often. Youd know that.
Oh, stop it! Just tell me what Im missing now.
Margaret took another deep breath. Claire always bristled at any suggestion she might not be doing enough; for years shed guarded her independence, snapping at any perceived criticism.
Ill remind youmothers seventy-three now. Her blood pressure is all over the place, shes weak more often than not. Even making dinner or tidying the place is a struggle. Never mind nipping down the grocers for a loaf. Its only thanks to Mrs Harris next door dropping in that she manages at all.
Are you saying shes going hungry? Claires tone sharpened.
No, of course not! I visit every fortnight, bring everything she needs. But Im worried. She simply can’t look after herself without help now. Suppose she falls and breaks something? With her weight, caring for her would be impossible.
The sisters fell silent for a moment.
Their mother, Ethel, had always been on the plump side, and her fondness for food hadnt lessened with age, despite her various ailments. She couldnt bear any suggestion of a dieta source of endless friction.
And shes so lonely its heartbreaking. She nearly cries every time I leave. Swears everyones abandoned her Margarets voice wavered, Its become unbearable.
What exactly are you suggesting, then? Claire frowned, knowing where this was headed.
Margaret hesitated. Talking to Claire had only gotten harder with the years.
I think, perhaps, you should move in with her.
Oh, for goodness sake! And why cant you? Let me guess: your precious Edward, your model husband, and his darling grown-up sonwhats he now, twenty-five?all need you there?
Claire, is that really necessary?
Its always the sameyou make decisions for us all as if its your right! And you dont give a toss what it means for me! Claire was raising her voice now.
Margarets temper met hers. When Mum was running herself ragged between Dadwhen he was illand looking after you and Hannah? When shed come in from the village with your shopping, sit with Hannah so you, the golden daughter, could work or just have a rest? You were happy then! No complaints!
For a second Claire said nothing. Margaret wasnt wrong. That was exactly how things had been after Claires brief marriage had ended and Hannahs father left; it had fallen to her ex-mother-in-law, whocredit where it was duehad let Claire and her child stay in her flat until Hannah came of age, while her ex paid the barest minimum of maintenance. Claire had juggled two jobs just to get by; her own parents help had made all the difference back then, but did they have to throw it in her face forever?
Her exs mother had kept her wordno eviction, no fussuntil Hannah finished college and she very politely asked them to move on. By then, Hannah had started her own studies in the town, had a boyfriend, grown up.
So Claire decided it was time to live her own lifeand set off for London to find work. It had been years now, scraping by in lodgings in the outer suburbs, taking freelance jobs as she couldfinding good work past forty wasnt easy! Still, she was reasonably content and certainly not about to return to some sleepy village.
And what would you know about raising a child on your own? Claire retorted, landing a deliberate blow. Maybe if youd had my life, you could lecture me.
Now Margaret fell silent.
Her own life had gone well at first. Shed stayed on in the city after university, found work as an accountant, and set her mind on marrying sensibly. Suitors, though, had been a parade of disappointmentsone an idle drunk, the next hopelessly attached to his mother, the last more interested in her paycheque than her.
It wasnt until she was thirty-nine that Edward appearedthree years older, a widower with a ten-year-old son, Tom. Edward worked as an electrician for the local council, handy for any problem, always picking up odd jobs for neighbours in need.
He didnt drink, hardly spoke (which could be off-putting); he was habitually neat and precise to a fault. But Margaret fell hard for him, and after a year they married. Shed put her whole heart into pleasing her husband and step-son. Shed even won Toms affection, though it took some time. Children of her own, sadly, were never to be; Edward and Tom became her world. She couldnt imagine giving that up.
I did ask Mum to come live with me, Margaret said at last, her voice rough with old memories, but she refused outright.
Did she now? And your precious Edward didnt object to your mother coming to stay in your little flat? Or did you just not warn himknowing shed refuse anyway?
Claire! This is seriouscan we please not joke about it?
Ive said my piece. Claire cut off the call abruptly.
That really was that.
Margaret sat quietly, clutching the phone, eyes fixed on nothing. It wouldve been so much simpler if Claire just moved in with their mother. Margaret could visit, help with groceries, send over a bit of money, and Claire could probably find some remote workthe village actually did have decent internet. But as always, Claire had no interest in making life easier for Margaret. Spoiled as a child, and still as stubborn as ever.
You couldnt order or coerce her now, try as you might.
Spoke to Mumshe says she’s fine and does not need any help. Stop being so dramatic! pinged Claires message the next morning.
Margaret didnt reply. What was the point? Claire phoned their mother once a month if that, and sent a handful of texts. Ethel always said she was all rightblessed the rare visit from her darling Claire, never wanting to complain or cause a row. If Claire took umbrage, she might vanish altogether.
It fell to Margaret alone to hear every weekly complaint, feel the weight of her mothers loneliness. She had started losing sleep. Even Edward, not one for fuss, had asked if anything was wrong.
She hadnt said a word to her husbandhe shouldnt have to carry her problems as well. But what could she do? Even hiring care was impossibly expensive.
Thats quite enough! Edward set his teacup down with a thump. For three months youve been unlike yourself. Whats the matter?
Margaret, to her surprise, burst into tearsbut she pulled herself together quickly. Men dont want tears, after all, and she simply described the situation as best she could.
Why didnt you say Ethel was unwell? Edward stared at her intently.
I didnt want to bother you, she muttered, dropping her gaze. Perhaps she oughtnt have told him. Why would he want to be saddled with this?
I see. Edward stood. Thanks for dinner. Im for bed.
He didnt even watch the news, as he always did. Margaret lay awake most of the night, listening to his gentle snoring, until she finally drifted off just before dawn. Saturday meant no workbut she was always up to make breakfast for Edward without fail. Now shed let him down in that, too.
But in the kitchen, he was calmly drinking his tea and reading something on his phone.
Youre up, then? he said, serious-faced but with a steady voice.
Yes, lovelet me get breakfast! Margaret hastened.
Sit down, I want you to listen.
Margaret lowered herself onto the kitchen stool.
Ive been thinking. We cant just sit by. We need to help your mother. Its not right to leave an old woman to fend for herself. My own mum, as you know, didnt make it to old age… Ive looked into it. I can get work with the local farmer, and youll find something too. Were moving in with her.
Margaret sat, as if struck dumb.
Edward are you sure?
Completely. Do you really think Ive forgotten how Ethel welcomed Tom over the summers, always making him feel at home? She took as much care of us as you have. And truth be told, Ive long wanted to move to the countryif your mother agrees, that is.
Magaret stared, open-mouthed, at her husband. Shed not expected this of him, not in a thousand years. Was she dreaming?
But what about Tom? she found herself asking.
What about him? Edward replied, a little surprised. Hes a strapping lad, got his own job, his own life. Im sure hell be glad to have the place to himself at last.
Oh, Edward! Margaret flung her arms around him, tears springing anew, totally forgetting he hated such open displays of emotion.
But this once, he didnt push her away. He merely patted her gently and said, There now. Everything will be all right.
She truly, truly hoped he was right.
