So, you know how Simon likes to give orders and expects the world to revolve around him? The other day, he casually tells Alice, On the 31st, Mum and my sister are coming over heres the menu, off you go to the kitchen. Didnt even glance up from his phone. Then he adds, The twins dont eat fish now, remember. And no mayo Mum says its difficult for her. Honestly, youd think he was organising staff at a restaurant, not his own wife.
Alice just puts down the plate she was drying and finally turns around. Its your birthday, Simon, she tells him. He looks up at last and shrugs, Yeah, exactly, so I want everything to be perfect. As if she isnt even part of it. Where do I fit in? she asks. He gives her that clueless look, On the kitchen, as usual. Right? Fifteen years, mate. Fifteen years shes swallowed her words every time Deirdre showed up with her endless instructions, every time Chloe sprawled on the sofa while Alice cleaned up after her noisy twins. Fifteen times, shes been invisible at someone elses party.
She just says, Its fine, and leaves the kitchen.
On the morning of the 29th, Alice rings her own mum. Hey Mum, do you mind if David and I come stay for a bit? Her mums all, Of course, sweetheart. What about Simon? Hell stay. Hes got guests coming. David comes out of his room and sees the packed bag. Are we going? Alice nods. At thirteen, he understands more than Simon has in the last fifteen years.
That evening, Simon comes home at half six, heads straight to the kitchen, opens the fridge empty. Turns around. Alice? Silence. He checks the flat: nobody. Theres a note on the table.
Simon. Grocery lists are in the fridge. David and I are at Mums. Youll have to cook. Happy birthday. The keys are with Mrs Watson.
He reads it three times. Tries calling no answer. Texts her nothing. Looks at the shopping list: chicken, potatoes, herring, cucumbers. He realises he doesnt have a clue what to do.
On the 30th, he wakes up at six and tries cooking. By lunch, the kitchen looks like a bombs gone off: onion skins everywhere, oil stains, burnt chicken, potatoes turned to mush, herring slipping out of his hands. Then his phone rings its his mum.
Simon, well be there at eleven tomorrow. Has Alice got everything ready?
Mum, Alice isnt here.
What do you mean?
Shes gone. To her mums.
Silence. Then her voice shoots up. Shes gone? For your birthday? Is she?
Mum, Im cooking.
You?! Simon, this is just ridiculous!
I dont know, Mum.
Never mind, well sort it when we get there. Chloe can help.
Simon looks around at the chaos. Something inside him tightens, uncomfortable.
On the 31st, at noon, Deirdre arrives, big bag in hand, followed by Chloe and her scruffy boys. Lets see what youve made, Mum stares at his pitiful spread. Three plates: sausage, cucumbers, and a nondescript mess. Chloe wrinkles her nose, You must be joking. We travelled all night for this?
I tried, he mumbles.
Deirdre opens the fridge. Its empty! No meat, no fish. Simon, why invite us if you cant host?
I didnt invite you. You said you were coming.
Ah, so now your mums a burden?
The twins are already tearing around the flat, one knocks over a chair, the other spills something on the sofa. Chloe doesnt even flinch.
Chloe, can you control the boys? Simon asks.
Theyre kids, they need to move. What, cant tolerate children now?
Something snaps inside Simon. He remembers how for fifteen years Alice quietly cleaned up after these kids, cooked, tidied, tried to smile. And no one not once said thank you.
Mum, Chloe, I cant do this, he sits on the stool. I cant cook. Im exhausted. Lets order in or just go to a pub.
A pub?! Deirdre is scandalised.
For your birthday? Simon, its all her your Alice. Shes poisoned your mind.
For fifteen years, she worked herself to the bone for all of you! His voice breaks. Have any of you ever helped her? Ever said thank you?
Were guests, for goodness sake!
Not guests. Spongers.
Deirdre turns pale, grabs her bag. Chloe, get the boys. Were leaving. Let him sit with his precious wife. I wont step foot in this house again!
Chloe throws him a venomous look. Youll regret this, Simon.
The door slams. Simons alone in the kitchen, staring at half-eaten sausage, and realises: they didnt even wish him happy birthday. Not a single word. They just came to eat and when there was nothing, they left.
At half six that evening, he drives out to the countryside. Alices parents live in an old cottage with a crooked fence and a little veranda. He stops at the gate, sees lights in the windows, gets out, knocks.
Alice opens the door. Her hairs down, old jumper on, no makeup. Hed forgotten what she really looks like.
Hi.
Hi.
Can I come in?
She watches him for a moment, then nods. He takes his shoes off and goes inside. Davids on the sofa with his tablet, Alices mum is chopping salad in the kitchen.
Hello, Simon, she says, no smile. Would you like some tea?
No thanks.
Alice sits on the windowsill, hugging her knees.
Theyve gone?
Gone. After a row.
No birthday wishes?
None.
Pause. Alice gazes out the window at snow swirling against the glass.
Alice, Im sorry.
She says nothing.
I honestly didnt understand. I thought its family, thats how it works. But youre right. They didnt need me. They wanted your meals and your hands.
Not my hands. My silence, she says, turning to him. They got used to me putting up with it. And you did, too.
Im a fool.
You just realised?
He sits next to her, not touching.
Can I stay? Until New Year?
She studies him for a moment.
You can. But tomorrow you peel the potatoes and wash up. Yourself.
Deal.
A month later, Deirdre rings, saying she misses them and wants to visit for the weekend. Simon tells her calmly, Mum, were off to a spa. If you want to come over, keys are with Mrs Watson next door. Cook and clean for yourself.
Whats this?
These are the new rules, Mum.
She hangs up. Simon chuckles. Alice, sitting beside him, raises an eyebrow.
Do you think shell get used to it?
If not, its her problem.
Deirdre stopped calling with demands after that. She realised things had changed. You could boss people around and expect service, but only while someone stayed silent. When the silence ended, so did the control.
Alice didnt become a hero. She just stopped enduring it. Turns out, that was enough to change everything.
