Jane and her mother-in-law sat side by side on the edge of an old sagging bed, swathed in thick jumpers and woollen socks. The wind howled against the window panes of the little cottage, and frost hung in the airthough the fireplace finally crackled with new flames.
Its all right, Mum. Well manage. We wont be left with nothing. Here, let me give you your medicine, Jane said gently as she rummaged through her battered handbag.
Comforting her mother-in-lawMargaretcame more naturally to Jane than shed ever imagined. In fact, Margaret wasnt her mother, not truly, not anymore. Ex-mother-in-law, nearly ex, if she was honest with herself.
Life had thrown them together: the mother, the son, and the sons wife, Jane.
Jane had married late, at thirty. She was Richards second wifea fact often chewed over by the neighboursthough shed never broken up Richards first marriage. He and his ex were long finished before Jane came along.
From the moment theyd met, Margaret had adored Jane. The feeling was mutual. Jane, orphaned young, grew up without much family. In Margaret, shed found a rare, gentle presencea caring embrace, a voice that soothed and understood.
Oh, you two are in cahoots, Richard used to say with a wry smile.
The five years theyd spent together as a family blew by in a flash. But then, seemingly overnight, Richard became cruel and short-tempered. He shouted at Jane, at his mother, at anyone within reach. The cause was clear: another woman. He stayed out late, staggered in drunk, always with an excuse.
One afternoon, Richard announced he wanted a divorce. You have two days to pack, he said, as cold and final as a judge. Jane barely had time to pull her things together before the new woman arrived with a suitcase in tow.
Maybe shed come purposely, Jane thought, to gloat, to insult, to parade herself as the replacement. Tall, with bottle-blonde hair, pouty lips and sweeping false lashes she fluttered like a startled cow. Jane couldnt help itshe snorted with laughter.
So youre swapping me for this cartoon? Good luck to you, Jane shot back. I wont lose sleep.
At least shes fun. Unlike you two grannies. Two silly hens, Richard snapped.
Insult me if you must, Jane replied. No need to be cruel to your own mum.
The new womanAlisonsimpered and touched Richards arm. Darling, is your mother really staying? Why cant she just go? Tell her.
Yes, Mum, its also time you moved on, Richard said brusquely, turning to Margaret.
But where would I go, Richard? I gave you every penny from selling my flat so you could buy this place, Margarets voice trembled as she gripped her chest.
No need for dramatics. You can stay, but just keep out of the way. Alison runs the house now, he said coolly.
Oh, sweetheart, cant they both just leave? Alison whined, clinging closer.
Shes my mother!
Your mother? You mean I have a mother-in-law like that? Alison gasped, wide-eyed and theatrical.
Jane had heard enough.
Mum, would you come with me to the village?
Yes, please. Anything but staying here with him and her.
Just sit tight, Ill pack your things, Jane said, busying herself with their few belongingsMargarets jewellery box, her handbag, her medicines. All was piled into a battered suitcase.
Take it allwe dont need your leftovers, Alison taunted. Isnt that right, darling?
Richard said nothing. He stared fixedly at the rug, knowing deep down that his mother would never forgive him. Or maybe, she would. She was his mother after all.
Half an hour later, Jane stood outside by the car. Margaret sat in the back seat, discreetly drying her eyes, her face turned away from the house, from the son shed given everything toand who no longer wanted her.
How can we go on now, Jane?
Well get by. Ive got some savings. Between that and your pension, itll do until I find work. Well managetherell always be bread and butter.
They drove through winding country lanes until Jane pulled up outside the little cottage where shed spent her childhood. Blessedly, it was still light. The house was icy inside, so Jane quickly lit the fire, fetched water, and set the kettle on to boil.
You do all this as if youve lived here forever.
Granddad taught me everything. Lucky we bought supplies in town! No need to see the gossipy villagers just yet.
The room gradually warmed, a faint comfort.
Ill give the place a proper scrub tomorrow, Jane promised.
There was a rap on the door.
A broad-shouldered man poked his head in. Jane, is that you back? Saw your car. Not often you show up in winter! Everything alright?
Were fine, Mr. Thompson. All settled in. Come in and have a cup of tea?
No, just wanted to say helloand I see youre not alone?
Jane introduced them. This is Margaret. Mum, this is our neighbourPeter Thompson.
If you need anything, you let me know.
Thank you, but were all right for now.
A week passed. The cottage was spotless and felt like home.
You know, Margaret mused, Im a country girl too. Married a city man, lost him when Richard was just twenty-three. Sold my flat, trusted Richard when he promised wed always live together. Look where we are now.
Its all right to cry. I know it hurts, believe me. But you may yet have grandchildren
Not from that blonde Margaret muttered. What about Mr. Thompson? Does he live alone?
Peters wife drowned years ago saving a neighbours child. He never remarriedno children. He was friends with my granddad, though hes not nearly as old.
Nearly a month went by without a word from Richard. He didnt call his mother, nothing. Then one morning, Janes phone ranga number she didnt know.
Jane?
Yes?
This is the police. Your husbands been killed in a car crash.
You must have the wrong person.
No mistake. Richard was over the drink-drive limit. Im sorrybut he had a passenger. She survived with barely a scratch. Could you come to identify him?
Oh God. Poor Margaret. How would she break the news? She ran for Peter.
Youre as white as a ghostwhats happened, Jane?
Mum, sit downplease. Richards gone. Hes dead.
Margaret burst into sobs. Its my fault, I left him!
No, he threw you out.
Yes, but Im his mother. Its a curse come for him.
I have to go identify him. Peter, would you stay with Mum?
Ill come with you both, Peter offered. Well take my car. No arguments.
After the funeral, Jane and Margaret returned to Richards houseit would come to them now, an inheritance. Richard had never finished the divorce, too busy chasing pleasures. Peter accompanied them everywhere.
Ill stick with you, ladies, you never know what mess youll find.
The house was worse than imagined: dirty laundry everywhere, plates on the floor, the thick smell of beer and rotting food.
My son did this? He was never like this! Oh, what a mess
And what do you think youre doing here? This is my house, get out! Alison stalked from the bedroom, lips plumped and lashes aflutter, a half-dressed man close behind.
Lets see the deeds, then! Peter cut in.
What deeds? My husband died. We were married, you know! Alison sniffed.
He wasnt even divorced!
We were celebrating early. Anyway, its mine now.
Youre talking nonsense. Pack your things and go. Is anyone else skulking around?
The man slipped out quietly. Peter made sure Alison took nothing but her own things.
Now we need to check the paperworksee if theres a will, or if someones tried to put this in another name. And change all the locksnever know what keys shes got.
The paperwork was in order. The locks were changed.
Much had to be thrown away. Through it all, Peter helped Jane and Margaret.
Im sorry youve had to come back to this house. Ill miss you both, you know.
Well only be a village away. Besides, you have to visit usall right? Jane teased.
Youve made me feel young again. Margaret reminds me so much of my late wife.
Ive seen how you look at her, Peter. And she looks back, dont deny it. Got yourself a sweetheart?
Peters cheeks flushed, but said nothing.
A year later, Peter and Margaret married. They found happiness in each others company, and Jane became like a daughter to them. But the family didnt stop theretogether, Peter and Margaret watched Jane become a mother at last.
Jane never remarried. Instead, she fostered two childrena brother and sisterrefusing to split them up. She found the family shed lost, and proved that love and belonging are not always something youre born into, but can find through kindness, hardship, and a bit of English grit.
