Margaret returned home from the shops and began to unpack the groceries from her bags. Suddenly, she heard a strange commotion coming from her sons and daughter-in-laws room, and decided to check.
Emily, where are you off to? Margaret asked, surprised, as she spotted her daughter-in-law packing suitcases.
Im leaving, Emily replied through tears.
What do you mean, leaving? Where are you going? Whats happened? Margaret asked in astonishment.
Here, have a look, Emily said quietly, handing her a letter. Margaret opened and read it, and was left frozen by the words.
William had brought his bride, Emily, home to their village in Kent, to his childhood house. Margaret was delightedher son had finally decided to marry after years of living freely, and now she would have help in her later years.
The house was well-kept, and Margaret ran everything. Her husband had passed away, but left behind a solid house and a large bit of land. Hed done his best to provide for his family. William was their only childMargaret hadnt been able to carry another, and after that, couldnt conceive again at all. The farmwork was heavy; it needed attention every day, with no holidays, and soon enough it took its toll on her husband as well. Margaret spent three years caring for him before the inevitable happened. In the end, she learned to manage the tractor, run the gardens, do everything herself.
Emily was young, at least ten years younger than William by Margarets estimation. Delicate and gentle, she reminded Margaret of herself at that age, arriving at her husbands home with just a small suitcase, barely any belongings to her name. But her son had chosen her, so let them have a life togetherand after all, the girl was an orphan. Perhaps, Margaret thought, that might even be for the best.
The village girls all envied Emily. Shed managed to marry the wealthiest, most handsome man in the areanone of the local girls had ever succeeded. They all had courted William, even after he was married, but he paid no mind. Every night he hurried home from work to his wife and children. Emily bore him two sons and a daughter.
Once their youngest was five and their eldest ten, William announced he and a mate were off to London for work.
Dont we have enough, Will? Were alright for money, with both your wages, your mothers pension. What about the farm? I cant handle it all any more, Margaret protested.
Im sick to death of the farm, Mum! Ill get a proper job and move the family to London. The kids need schooling, and its time we sell up. Youll move with us.
But weve got a good village school here! Emily tried to reason.
Youre a city girl, anyway. London will suit you.
If an orphanage in London counts, then I suppose I am. Not that I rememberI was little. But what about your mum? She needs help now. And what will we do in London with three kids? Emily brushed away a tear.
Thats enough, not up for discussion. And take a look at yourselfyoure worn out, exhausted.
Emily and Margaret lived together harmoniously. Margaret, remembering her own struggles, felt for her daughter-in-law, and once the grandchildren arrived, she cared for her all the more. Sometimes it almost seemed as if Emily was her own daughter. Emily, too, grew to love her mother-in-law, calling her Mum from nearly the start.
One day, Will packed his things and left for London. He wrote lettersmobiles werent a thing yet. He returned after half a year with presents, left some money, then disappeared for another six months. The friend hed gone with soon moved back. One day, his friends wife confided to Margaret that Will had moved in with a wealthy woman whose house theyd fixed up; he didnt even have a job. Margaret kept quiet, not wanting to upset Emilymaybe it wasnt true after all. But gossip spreads fast in villages. Eventually, Emily, looking shell-shocked, started packing.
Where are you going?
Emily silently handed her a note. It was more of a scribble than a real letter.
Emily, Im sorry, but Im with someone else. Ill get Mums house after shes gone, so dont waste your timeleave now. Youll find your feet, and the kids will be alright. Heres some money to get you started. After that, youre on your own. William
Hes left, then let him go. Im not letting you or the children go anywhere. No point dragging them round the country. I cant manage without you lot. He wont throw you out, I wont allow it, Margaret said firmly.
Then, one day William reappeared, new wife in tow, and a flashy car. He hadnt expected to see his children still living in his mothers houseMargaret hadnt thought it worth telling him. His daughter, now twelve, ran straight up to him in tears. His eldest son came over; William tried to give him a hug, but the boy simply took his sisters hand and led her away, his brother following quietly.
Hes no fatherhes a traitor. Lets go. Theres work to do, the eldest said.
William watched in silence as his son climbed into the tractor and drove off to plough the potato patch behind their house. The younger boy and the girl went to feed the rabbits. The place had only grown since he left; they never kept rabbits before. The children had grown up, and he hadnt been there to see it.
And their mumwheres she? Did she up and leave you with the lot? he asked his mother.
Dont measure by your own standards. Her names Emily. Forget already, have you? Shell be home from work soon. And what brings you here, both of you?
We need to talk.
Say your piece and off you go before Emily gets back.
Weve come to fetch you.
I thought youd come for the children.
The children have their mother. Youd be better off living with your son. Sell this place, move near us, with all this land and the house youll make a tidy sum. Well buy you a flat near usyoull have plenty.
And where should the children go? Why the silence?
They can go with Emily to London. She can rent a flat. More opportunities for the kids in the city.
Opportunities are there if they want themthey could have left long ago if they did.
Weve told you. Think it over. Weve even found a good buyer for youdont take too long.
No point me deciding. Im no longer the mistress here.
What are you saying, Mum?
At that moment, Emily entered.
Well, isnt this a surprise.
Over the years in which William hadnt seen her, Emily had flourished. She was dressed smartly, gold earrings which had belonged to her mother-in-law, her hair in a stylish cut. Nothing remained of the old Emilyshe looked stunning, far outshining Williams new wife. He stared until his new wife nudged him sharply.
Well, Mum, arent you setting the table? We have a guest of honour, Emily joked.
This guest is just leaving. Hes said his piecetime for him to get on. Thank you, son, for remembering your mother. And you, turning to the new wife, goodbye. I hope never to see you again.
Here, Mum, my number. If you change your mind, ring me, William said, leaving a slip of paper on the table before walking out.
William came to see his mother only once more, to say goodbye. Emily rang; after all, he was her son. By then, the children were adultsthe eldest had kids of his own. Their conversations with William were short and polite, like with a stranger. His daughter wouldnt even come over.
Emily, the kids are grown up, and this is my house. Ive every right to live here. Im divorced now. Ive decided to move back in. Stay if you want, or goits up to you.
Emily calmly took some papers out of the chest of drawers. Margaret had transferred the house to Emilys name the very year William had written her that note. William left without a word. Emily didnt try to stop himthere was nothing left binding her to him. She had her children, and now grandchildren as well.
