Violet Spencer never let a door stay shut. If someone tried to hide something, she would sniff it out, snatch it, and unleash a storm. She could wrestle anything from anyone.
George, where did you put my slippers? she demanded.
In the left pocket, George replied.
Theyre not there, Emily said, rummaging through her own coat.
Obviously they arent. Look again, he snapped.
Theyre still not here, she insisted.
Emily and George were due to fly to Emilys mothers cottage for a weekend visit. Violet, Emilys motherinlaw, knew about the trip, but they had breathed a sigh of relief when they realised Violet would be away that day. The security officer who would have inspected their suitcases had already taken a train to meet a friend.
Then were fine. Your mother will have her slippers somewhere. We should get going, Emily said, packing the last of their things.
At that moment Violet swept into the hallway, her eyes scanning the floor where two suitcases lay like abandoned luggage after a frantic escape.
Where do you think youre off to? she demanded, slamming a heavy grocery bag onto the side table.
Emily, tugging the laces of little Olivers shoes, gave George a chance to speak with his mother.
We told you, Mum, George began, Emily mentioned yesterday she wanted us to spend a week with your mother in Scotland. We want Oliver to meet his second grandmother. Hes three now, but shes only ever seen him in photographs.
Emily lifted Olivers hood and added, Ive missed Mum terribly. It would do Oliver good to change scenery and meet his grandma, whos eager to see her grandson.
Violets jaw tightened. She remembered a vague remark about a mothertodaughter trip, but she had assumed Emily would travel alone, without Oliver and George.
Seeing a grandchild on a screen isnt enough, Violet said. You warned me, I recall, but I thought youd go alone, Emily. Im willing to let George go, but Oliver is too young for such a long journey. Youre taking my grandson abroad without my consent. That sort of decision needs to be discussed beforehand.
They had discussed it, just not in a way Violet cared to hear.
George clutched Emilys elbow, ready to answer, and cut in, Whats there to argue about, Mum? Were not sending him to space. Well be there a week, see the family, spend time with Oliver, and be back in a flash. Weve already talked about this.
I see no need to haul a child that far, Violet replied.
Its a meeting with my mother, Emily whispered, her tone sharper than Georges, ready to defend herself.
Hell grow up and well meet later, George muttered.
Were leaving now, Emily said.
Violet seemed impenetrable.
Scotland? Oh, rightyour mother lives there. She married there, didnt she? No, I still cant approve this. Its far! What if Oliver falls ill while youre there? Do you even know a good doctor? Here Oliver sees AnneSophie, a trusted paediatrician I chose myself. In a foreign land youd be at the mercy of the first stranger you find. No, youll travel without him; he stays with me, she said, rubbing her hands together.
It was a familiar refrain. Violet never seemed to trust even her own sons judgment.
Emily tried once more. Violet, were not newborns either! My mother knows dozens of doctors; she worked in a hospital herself. Well call you every day, send photos, update you on Olivers health. In a week well be back. Please dont turn this into a tragedy.
George echoed, Yes, Mum, dont worry. Everythings under control. If anything happens well call you straight away and come back instantly.
Violet fell silent for a heartbeat, weighing their words.
Fine, she hissed through clenched teeth, but you must call each day, and I want a word with Oliver myself. If anything goes wrong, youre back here immediately!
They hurried away, eager to leave the zone of high tension.
The flight went smoothly. Oliver, though a little whiny at first, behaved like a model passenger. Emily, however, was exhausted.
Whats the matter, love? Tired? her mother asked, handing her a towel to dry the dishes. The guests had left, the house was quiet, George and Oliver were asleep.
More than tired, Emily sighed.
Whats bothering you? her mother pressed, stacking glasses.
How did you get on with your motherinlaw? she asked, halfjoking.
Her mother chuckled, We got on, were friends now. Dont you remember your grandma? She could talk the ears off anyone.
Emily smiled, Were like cats and dogs with Violet. Outwardly we get along, no shouting, but tension never leaves. She worries about Oliver, she doesnt trust us. If she wanted, shed raise him herself.
Her mother warned, Dont push her. Shes probably struggling to accept a new person. She loves Oliver, thats why shes on edge. Keep the peace and itll settle.
Back in London, Emily decided to return to her job teaching literature at a secondary school. She wanted to be out of the house, maybe even bond with Violet more if she wasnt cooped up all day. That meant finding a nursery for Oliver.
Whats that advert? her mother asked George.
A private nursery. Well look after Oliver there. Emily wants to work again, George explained.
Emily slapped her forehead, I should have prepared Mum first! I cant just drop this on her.
Violet, as always, reacted instantly. A nursery for a twoyearold? Why not send him to work? Hes already big! Its too early, hes still tiny! Who will watch him?
The staff will, Emily replied.
George reminded, You sent me to a nursery at two, too.
Violet snapped, I had no choice! I raised you alone, I needed to work! Times were different then. Now I dont know whats happening in those private places. Who inspects them? Who gives them permission? Look at the three flats they turned into a nursery next door! Are those proper conditions?
Emily kept quiet; that was the very nursery they were considering.
A long debate ensued. Emily argued that Oliver would socialize, learn independence, and that many families did the same. George supported, saying Oliver was old enough to enjoy it.
He needs peers, Emily said.
He needs his mother! Violet retorted. You should stay with him.
For how long? Until hes eighteen? Emily asked.
Until hes five, at least, Violet replied.
You think youre doing right? You sent George to a nursery at two, my mother sent me at one and a half. In your generation, what was wrong? Did your mum stay with you until school?
Violet claimed her own mother had never worked.
Thats why I think a child shouldnt be torn from his mother too early. We were all in clubs and playgrounds from a young age. If not a nursery, we spent whole days unsupervised outside. Is that better? Ill watch him myself! she declared.
The argument ended with Violets victory. Emily postponed returning to work and stayed home with Oliver. The job remained a distant dream.
It wasnt hard for Emily to sit with Oliver; the difficulty was meeting Violets standards.
Emily, how did you dress him? Hell freeze! Violet shouted.
Its warm outside, Emily protested.
For a toddler? No, Violet snapped.
Life became a relentless loop of instructions, advice, and reprimands. Violet controlled everything: what Oliver wore, what he ate, when he slept, where they went for walks.
One evening, after watching Violet mash a banana for Oliver, Emily finally snapped.
George, this help is nice, but theres a limit, she began.
Whats happened? he asked.
My mothers smothering us again. She grabbed the banana from Olivers hand and forced him to eat banana porridge. He wanted a whole banana! He can manage that at two. She wont let him! Emily cried.
Tell her to stop, George urged.
Go and say it, Emily waved her hands. She wont listen to you either. We tried living with her, its impossible. We need to move.
I know, love, George replied, Im struggling too. But if we leave, shell never calm down. Shell call, show up, even stay the night. Better to endure it here than in a tiny flat.
Then what? Emily asked.
George thought. Lets wait a bit longer. Oliver will grow, shell worry less, maybe we can move later.
The situation barely changed. Violet still clutched the reins, and Emily battled a growing sense of hopelessness. She wanted a normal relationship, but the thought of running away without looking back flickered in her mind. Convincing George seemed the hardest part.
George, how do those shoes look with that lipstick? Emily teased one Friday as they prepared to visit friends who had a child Olivers age.
Youre a sight for sore eyes, George replied.
Violet was nowhere in sight, glued to the television, bingewatching her favourite drama. The sound of suitcases being packed made her sit up, wary.
George, were heading to Olivers friends house, the Carters. Well take Oliver so he can play with Charlie, he announced, pulling on his coat.
Take a child out? Itll be noisy, full of people He should be sleeping, not hopping from house to house at night! Violet snapped from the sofa.
George sighed, knowing another lecture was coming.
Mum, let him mingle with other kids. We cant send him to a nursery, so let him have some company, he pleaded. We also need a break.
Why are you both so tired? Violet asked.
Because of everything! Emily shouted.
Dont start, mum, George warned. Well be out until nine and then head back.
Keep calling me every hour! Violet demanded. And have him home by eight! He needs his sleep!
Emily, sensing the evening would be ruined, promised to call and return on time. Oliver played happily and drifted to sleep in the playroom, no worse off than at home. Night fell, but Emily and George lingered.
Violet, as promised, counted the minutes with a stopwatch, then rang the phone repeatedly. When George finally turned it off, she shouted, One more night, please! Emily pleaded, I just remembered what life is supposed to be like.
Im not rushing back yet. Oliver seems asleep. Lets stay a bit longer. One night, Mum, will be enough, George whispered.
Morning came on a sour note. Violet, ignoring Emily and George, ate breakfast alone in her bedroom.
Did you really get angry over that? Emily asked.
Did someone say something? Violet snapped, pushing George away.
Total silence followed. Emily didnt apologizethere was nothing to apologise for. Theyd seen friends occasionally, Oliver was thriving. Then strangers arrived, two women in crisp uniforms.
Good morning, one said, flashing an ID. Were from Childrens Services. We need to inspect the living conditions.
George tried to block them, Emily prepared to protest, but Violet waved them in.
This is my flat, so please come in! You have to see how terrified I am for my grandson. There are strangers out there, theyll take him away, feed him poorly, let him stay up all night. This is unacceptable, she declared, pointing at Emily and George.
The officers listened politely, then asked for explanations. Emily calmly replied, We visited friends, we didnt break any law. Children played in a separate room, no one was drunk.
After a thorough look around and a chat with Oliver, the lead officer said, Everything appears fine. You might want to see a doctor for the stress youre under.
When they left, Emily snapped, George, hold me! I cant take this any longer! We went to friends for a few hourswhy did they have to complain? What if they start finding fault now?
Violet, still fuming, shouted, I did everything right. Youre both irresponsible. Hell be taken from you and Ill become his guardian. Hell finally have a proper life, not parties! I love him; you just want to push him away to a nursery or to friends.
Emily asked, Are you out of your mind?
Violet insisted, Im perfectly sane!
Emily grabbed Oliver and stormed to the bedroom. George, pack your things. Were leaving this place!
Emily Mum was nervous yesterday, she overreacted George muttered.
Emily said nothing more about her mother. Im moving to Manchester, she announced. Dads flat is empty. Youre coming with us or staying with her?
George stayed silent.
Emily set a deadline. You have an hour. After that, Im gone.
She hurriedly packed the essentials for Oliver, called his father, and told him of the plan. George could only watch.
At the train station in Manchester, Emily and Oliver stood together, a week after their move. A stranger rushed up from behind, covering Emilys eyes with his hands.
George! she gasped, seeing a bouquet of roses.
Forgive me, he whispered, tears spilling, I was wrong. I didnt see what you were right about. Mum she cant live without us, but I cant live without you.
