Natalie Peters, hello. Its Yvonne, your future daughter-in-law. Id like to meet and have a chat. When and where would suit you?
Natalie stiffened, especially at the words *future daughter-in-law*. What was this news? Adrian had never mentioned marrying her.
“Hello, Yvonne. Come to mine today at six. Ill be waiting.”
*What does she want to talk about? Is she expecting a baby? Of course. Shes done it on purpose to trap Adriantypical.*
*Whats he thinking? Shes not good enough for him. Adrians an architect with a bright futurehis own flat, a car, handsome, clever. Any girl would be lucky, but no, hes chosen this one…*
Natalie tidied the flat and popped to the shop, her stomach in knots.
Shed met Yvonne a few times and disliked her instantly. Adrian had introduced them, then brought her round for tea. Every time, Natalie made her opinions clear afterward.
“Son, are there no other girls? Why her? Whats so special? Shes plain, skinny, tiny. Men used to go for proper girls! Shes not right for you!”
“Mum, I love her. To me, shes perfect! And her cookings divineher roast dinners are incredible!”
That stung. Hed always praised her cooking before. Now this girl made *divine* roasts.
Yvonne arrived sharp at six, bringing custard tartsNatalies favourite. *Sly move, buttering me up.*
“Natalie, Ill get straight to it. Adrian proposed, and I said yes. Hes waiting for the right moment to tell you. Hes worried you wont take it well.”
“Of course I wont, dear. Why should I be pleased?”
“I want to make a deal with you. Hear me out.”
“I know you raised Adrian alone. You married because of the baby, but it didnt work out. Your husband left. My mum raised me alone tooDad died young. I know what its like.”
“You poured everything into your son. Thank you. Hes kind, thoughtful, well-manneredthats your doing. You should be proud.”
Natalie nodded. True enough. Her efforts alone made him the man he was.
Yvonne continued.
“You dream of him marrying a beautiful, successful, wealthy girl. Then theres me. Plain, ordinary, from a simple background. Not a high earner. Unsuitable, in your eyes. Youre scrambling for ways to stop this, arent you?”
Natalie shrugged. Exactly.
“Heres how itll go. Adrian wont listen. Youll push, youll argue. Youll skip the wedding. Of coursehe disobeyed you. Right?”
“Right.”
“Youll tell everyone what an ungrateful son he is, after all youve done. Some will pity you, others will smirk.”
“Meanwhile, well be happy. Youll sulk, ignore us. Ill have a baby. Adrian will tell you, but youll stubbornly refuse to meet your grandchild. You dont recognise our marriage, so not *our* child.”
“My mum will dote on her grandsonwalks, stories, spoiling him. Shell be his favourite grandma.”
“Youll sit alone in your flat, watching telly, resenting how lifes turned out. Holidays will be loneliest. Everyone else celebrating with family while you stew.”
“Health will decline. Hospital visitsothers will have family. Youll have a neighbour or a friend. Not your son or his *awful* wife.”
“In the end, youll die alone, never knowing your grandson, never called *Gran*, no birthday wishes. Thats your choice.”
“Oryou could rethink. After I leave, consider it. As a loving mother, accept his choice. If he loves me, there must be a reason.”
“Im not so bad. Colleagues like me. My mum adores me. Im decent. Ill be a good wife and mother. Most importantly, I love your son, and he loves me.”
“When Adrian tells you, praise him. Say you accept it. You dont have to love me, just be civil. Thats enough.”
“I dont warm to you either, but Ill try.”
“At the wedding, youll have the honoured seat. Youll admire your son (and me, a little). When the baby comes, youll always be welcome. Two grandmashow lovely.”
“Ill never speak ill of you, and you wont of me.”
“We have one shared goalAdrians happiness. Lets work together. Think it over, then call me. Thanks for the tea, Natalie. Goodbye!”
After Yvonne left, Natalie sank into her armchair, staring out the window. *Shes right. Thats exactly how itll go.*
So what if she disliked her? Adrian would marry her anyway. Shed seen how his eyes lit up around Yvonne. Even her roasts didnt compare now…
What did she gain by fighting? Nothing. Just loneliness while another grandma spoiled her grandchild. She wanted that toounless…
“Hello, Yvonne… I accept your deal. I dont want to sit here miserable. I want my son in my lifewhich means you too. And youll bring my grandson round weekends, yes? Ohwhats your secret with the roast? Adrian raves about it.”
Yvonne laughed.
“Natalie, yours is just as good, I promise. Its the seasoning. Im glad you agreedthis is best for everyone. Adrian was rightyou *are* a smart, loving mum.”
Three years later…
“Adrian, look at little Alfiehes your double! Such a sweet boy. Im so glad I have a grandson! Yvonne, thank you for that deal. You were right…”
“What deal? First Ive heard!”
“Oh, just a little secret between me and Yvonne…”
Natalie caught her daughter-in-laws eye and winked. Yvonne winked back.
