Laying the Table
See you in a few days, Emily! And dont forget to make your famous steak and ale pie. Its so delicious my mother-in-law, Margaret, chirped cheerfully down the phone.
Honestly, I struggled to match her enthusiasm. As soon as I hung up, I sank heavily onto the chair, feeling the weight of it all. Easter was only a few days away, and all of Toms relatives were about to descend on our home once again.
Youve such a roomy flat plenty of space for everyone. We used to be all squashed up in my old place, but here we can really spread out! Perfect for the whole clan to get together. Margaret declared two years back, and her words have haunted me ever since.
Oddly enough, Id started to resent our big, airy three-bedroom flat, with the mortgage looming large over us for years to come. Because of our extra space, the whole horde of Toms family showed up at ours every holiday, turning the place upside down, and keeping me up all night.
Tom strolled into the kitchen and kissed my head.
All sorted with mum?” he asked.
Yes, we’ll be celebrating here again.” I forced a tired smile. “Tom, do you think you could talk to her this time?”
Tom frowned. Emily, weve talked about this, havent we? Mum thinks the world of you and she raves about your cooking! What am I supposed to say Dont come, Mum? Besides, shes retired now you cant expect her to slave away in the kitchen for all of us. She raised four kids, Emily. She deserves a break.
Every time, I fell for Toms reasons. But quietly, I wondered: And who looks out for me? Why should I end up cooking and waiting on a whole crowd every holiday?
It was no use complaining. Ruining the peace over family gatherings was the last thing I wanted. So, the next day I forced myself through the shops for supplies. The day before Easter, I spent every waking hour prepping.
Late into the night I stood over the stove, making enough to feed an army. All of Margarets children and their families were coming over a dozen people!
Why is it just me whizzing around like a mad thing? Cant anyone lend a hand? If not your mum, maybe one of your brothers wives? I asked Tom, kneading dough for the pie.
Tom looked at me as if Id asked him to fly to the moon.
You know my brothers cant cook for toffee, same as me. And the wives well, theyve either got the kids or work commitments. I cant just drag them over it wouldnt be fair.
Oh, but its fine to drag me down? I work too, Tom, even if its from home. Doesnt make it any less exhausting.
Dont get upset, he soothed, wrapping me in a hug. Itll all work out. Well celebrate together, everyone will rave about your food, and youll feel brilliant.
And again, I gave in. That night, when I finally collapsed into bed, I was so tired that I should’ve dropped off straight away but sleep wouldnt come. I tossed and turned, thinking, analysing, worrying
Why do their compliments matter? Id love to just turn up and have everything done for me for once, not waste money, time and effort catering for everyone.
Early next morning, just as Id drifted off properly, my phone blared. Margaret wanted to be the first to wish us a happy Easter. Then she announced:
Well be round in an hour. I let everyone know yesterday, so start laying the table, love!
I simply couldnt get out of bed. I had no energy to face the marathon ahead: laying the table, running to and from the kitchen, cleaning up while everyone else relaxed.
I dont want to, I groaned into the pillow.
Emily, why are you still in bed? Mum and the others will be here any minute! Tom stood in the doorway, disapproval written all over his face.
Im going I muttered, forcing myself up. Come on you can do this, youre stronger than you think,” I told myself, dragging myself to the bathroom.
Somehow, with a bit of self-pep-talk, I got everything ready and heated in time.
The flat filled with noise: families swapping stories, sharing plans. Margaret wouldnt stop loudly praising me Emilys such a wonderful cook! Everything is simply marvellous, darling. I could never lay on such a spread myself! She beamed at me, squeezing my hand.
I accepted the compliments without enthusiasm, sneaking away from the table when I could. Id escape to the balcony, away from their chatter, away from the endless questions about children. Tom and I decided to wait a while before starting a family but his relatives just wouldnt let it lie.
Emily! Margarets voice rang out. Time for pudding! Whereve you wandered off to?
The balcony door swung open, and Margaret joined me in the chilly air.
Are you smoking? she gasped.
What? No! Of course not! I jerked upright. Just needed a breath of fresh air the flats a bit stuffy.
Oh, I know,” she nodded. “Cant have the windows open with the little ones about. For a second, I thought youd started well, dont you ever let that cross your mind, youve got me future grandkids to think about! she joked, wagging her finger.
I mustered a weak smile, which Margaret didnt seem to notice.
Come on, lets clear the table and serve dessert.
Yes I sighed.
As soon as we stepped back in, Margaret settled straight into her seat, leaving me to it. I gathered everyones plates, cleaned up, set out dessert and fresh cutlery all by myself.
This cake is the best Ive ever tasted, Margaret said for the umpteenth time.
I slipped away to the kitchen, scrubbing dishes to keep my hands busy. I regretted, again, not having bought that dishwasher I kept promising myself.
Two hours later, the visitors started to pack up.
Tommy, will you give me a lift home? Margaret asked.
Of course, Mum. Just grabbing my keys.
Once the flat was empty, I shuffled into the lounge and dropped onto the sofa, surveying the wreckage. The place looked like a tornado had been through yesterdays cleaning a distant memory.
Come on, Emily better finish the job now. Leave it and youll only be cross with yourself tomorrow, I told myself.
With a weary sigh, I got up. I collected dirty dishes, lobbed tablecloths and towels into the wash, cleaned the table, tackled every room with the hoover, and scrubbed the floors. I boxed up leftovers and stacked the glasses. At last, I ran a bath, dropped in my favourite lavender bath bomb, and put on some music.
The hot water eased my aching limbs. I finally looked at my phone, only to find a message from Tom:
Mums asked if Ill stay over. See you tomorrow.
No surprise there as usual I muttered.
He knew full well Id be stuck cleaning up tonightyet hed chosen the easy way out, like always.
Well, if thats how they treat me Ill respond in kind. Enoughs enough. I decided.
A month flew by, another celebration on the way. The phone rang, and I knew it would be Margaret:
Emily, lay the table! Well be over Friday its Bens birthday.
Of course, the tables always here. But someone else will have to do the cooking. Works gone mad Ive got to go into the office, and Im not sure when Ill get away Might not even make it to the party,” I said with mock regret.
What? How?
Work, what can you do?
Oh, alright. Ill work something out. Such a shame Margaret sighed.
Take care, I said, grinning as I hung up.
That evening, I headed to my friend Sophies. The next morning, I made Tom do all the tidying after all, it was his brothers birthday, not mine.
When Margarets big birthday approached, I took a few days off and went to see my own parents in the next town. My present was delivered early, along with a little news.
But, where will we celebrate?
Tom will have you over, but I wont be home.
What about all the cooking?
Maybe youll order something in. Or perhaps the other daughters-in-law will bring something. Youll manage!
After that, I was always too busy to cook. Our table became a humble spread of cold meats and a shop-bought cake. I repeated the same thing each time:
I barely had time to pick this up, works just relentless. Do feel free to order something in if you want more.
No one fancied opening their wallet to splash out, though. By Christmas, everyone realised sponging off me was over and their enthusiasm for family gatherings dried up rapidly.
That Christmas, Tom and I celebrated alone and that suited me just fine. My plan had worked. I raised my glass of champagne and thought to myself, Well done, Emily, youve earned this. And I realised: sometimes, you have to set boundaries to get a bit of peace.
