Emily and her mother-in-law, Margaret, sat huddled on the old sofa, wrapped in thick woollens. The winter chill lingered in the cottagethe fireplace had only just been lit.
“Itll be alright, Mum,” Emily reassured her. “Well manage. We wont go hungry. Here, let me get your medicine.”
She did her best to comfort the older woman, though Margaret wasnt her real motherjust her mother-in-law, and barely even that now.
Theyd once lived together as a family of three: Margaret, her son Daniel, and his wife, Emily.
Emily had married late, at thirty. She was Daniels second wife, but she hadnt broken up his first marriagehed already been divorced when they met.
Margaret had liked her straight away. And Emily had warmed to her too. Kind, understanding, always ready with a hug or a listening ear. Having lost her parents young, Emily had found a mother in Margaret.
“Thick as thieves,” Daniel used to say about them.
Five years of marriage passed in a blink. Then Daniel turned cold, snapping at Emily and his mother. The reason? A mistress. He came home late, reeking of drink.
One day, he announced he was leaving. Gave them two days to pack. Emily hadnt even moved out when his new woman arrived, suitcase in hand.
Maybe shed timed it that wayto flaunt herself and hurl insults. But it didnt go as planned. She was a leggy blonde with plumped lips and lashes so thick she could barely blink.
Emily couldnt help but laugh.
“You traded me for this cow-eyed doll? Best of luck to youI dont regret a thing.”
“At least shes fun,” Daniel sneered. “You two are like a pair of old hens.”
“Insult me if you like, but why drag your mother into it?”
“Babe, is his mum staying with us?” the woman squeaked, batting her ridiculous lashes. “She can take her. We dont need his mum, do we? Babe”
“Thats right, Mum. Time to go. Youve overstayed.”
“Where will I go?” Margaret clutched her chest. “I gave you every penny from selling my flat to build this house!”
“Spare me the dramatics. Fine, staybut keep to your room. Albinas the lady of the house now.”
“Sweetie, just kick them both out.”
“Shes my mother!”
“Your mother?” The woman gasped. “You expect me to live with that hag? Ugh Sweetie”
Emily had heard enough.
“Mum, will you come with me?”
“Anywheres better than here.”
“Stay here. Ill pack your things.”
“Dont forget my medicine. And my jewellery box. And my handbag.”
Emily hauled out another suitcase, stuffing in clothes, documents, everything.
“Take it all,” Albina sneered. “We dont want your junk.”
Daniel said nothing. He knew his mother would never forgive him. Or maybe she wouldmothers did that.
Half an hour later, Emily stood by the car. Margaret sat in the back, silently wiping tears. She didnt even glance at her son.
Hard to acceptgiving your all, only to be thrown away.
“How will we manage, love?”
“Well be fine. Ive savings. Your pension will cover us till I find work. Bread and butter wont be a problem.”
They drove to the village where Emily grew up. The cottage was freezing. She lit the fire, boiled water for tea.
“Youd think youd lived here forever.”
“Grandad taught me well. Lucky we brought groceriesno need for village gossip.”
Slowly, the house warmed.
“Ill clean properly tomorrow.”
A knock at the door.
“Back for a visit? Saw your car. Winters a strange time to cometrouble?”
“Alls well, Uncle Jack. Ill explain later. Fancy a cuppa?”
“Came to invite you, actually. Ohyoure not alone?” Hed just noticed Margaret.
“This is Margaret. Jack, this is Margaret.”
“Give a shout if you need anything.”
“Nothing yet. Thanks.”
A week passed. The cottage was spotless, cosy.
“Funny,” Margaret said. “Im village-born too. Married a city man. He died when Daniel was twenty-three. I sold my flathe promised Id always have a home with him. Look how that turned out.”
“Dont cry. I know it hurts. But you never knowgrandchildren might come along.”
“From that creature? God forbid. What about Jack? Whos he got?”
“Alone. His wife drowned saving a neighbours child years back. Never remarried. No kids. Lived here ever since. He was friends with my grandad, though younger. About your age.”
A month later, still no word from Daniel. Thena call from an unknown number.
“Emily?”
“Yes?”
“Your husbands dead.”
“Youve got the wrong person.”
“No mistake. Daniel drunk driving. The girl survivedthrown clear, not a scratch. Come identify him.”
God. Poor Margaret. How to break the news? Uncle Jackhed help.
“Emily, youre white as a sheet!”
“Mum, sit down. Daniels gone.”
Margaret wailed. “My fault! I left him!”
“He threw you out!”
“I know. But Im his mother. Oh This is my punishment.”
“Ill go identify him. Uncle Jack will stay with you.”
“Im coming.”
“So am I,” Jack said. “Well take my car. No arguments.”
After the funeral, Emily and Margaret went to Daniels housenow theirs. Hed never filed for divorce, too busy with his mistress.
Uncle Jack insisted on escorting them.
“Just in case. You shouldnt go alone.”
The place was a sty. Clothes strewn, dishes mouldering. Stale beer and rot in the air.
“My son did this? He was never like this before!”
“What are you doing here?” The blonde staggered out, followed by a half-dressed, scruffy man.
“Show me the deeds!” Jack demanded.
“What deeds? My fiancés dead! We were practically married!”
“He was still married!”
“We celebrated early! Its mine!”
“Drunk nonsense! Out! Anyone else here?”
The man slunk off. Jack made sure the girl took nothing.
“Well check the paperwork. Change the locksshe might have keys.”
The documents were sound. Locks replaced.
Much was thrown out. Jack stayed close.
“Shame youre leaving. Got used to you.”
“Well visit. You come see us.”
“Youve made me feel young again. Maggie reminds me of my late wife.”
“Ive noticed, Jack. The way you look at her. And she at you. Smitten, arent you?”
“Cheeky,” he muttered.
“Admit it!”
A year later, Jack and Margaret married. Happy together. Happy with Emilylike a daughter. But their family grew.
Emily became a mother, adopting siblingsshe couldnt separate them.
Family isnt always blood. Sometimes, its the people life brings you.
