Margaret Whitfield never leaves a door unopened. If you hide something from her, shell sniff it out, grab it, and make a proper fuss about it. She can get at anyone she wants.
James, where did you put my slippers? I asked.
In the left pocket, he replied.
They arent there, Emily said, feeling around her own coat.
Come on, look again, James urged.
Theyre still missing, she insisted.
James and Emily were due to fly out to Emilys mum in Edinburgh for a weekend visit. Margaret, Jamess mother, knew the plan, but they were thrilled to discover that shed be out of the house that day. The inspector who would have combed through their luggage had darted off to meet a friend, so they thought they were clear.
Then were set. Your mum will find the slippers, and weve got to get going, I said.
Just then Margaret appeared, scanning the hallway where two suitcases lay like a small stampede on the floor.
Where are you off to? she asked, setting a heavy bag of groceries on the side table.
Emily, busy tying the laces of threeyearold Billys shoes, gave me a chance to chat with his grandmother.
Mom, you know what we said yesterday, James began, Emily told you were heading to her mums in Scotland for a week. We want Billy to meet his other grandmother. Hes three now and has only seen her in photographs.
Emily unfolded Billys hood and added, Yes, Margaret, I miss my mum. Itll be good for Billy to change scenery and get to know his granny, whos keen to see him too.
Margarets eyes narrowed as she tried to recall a vague remark about a visit, but shed assumed Emily would travel alone, without Billy or me.
Seeing the grandchild on video isnt enough, Margaret said. You warned me, but I thought youd go without Billy. Fine, Ill let James go, but Billy is too little for such a long trip. You cant whisk my grandson off to another country without my sayso. That should have been discussed beforehand.
They had discussed it, just not with her.
James squeezed Emilys elbow as she opened her mouth, then said, Whats there to argue about, mum? Were not sending him to space. Well be there a week, spend time with the family, and come straight back. Weve already told you.
I see no need to drag a child that far, Margaret replied.
The need is to see my mother, Emily snapped, less delicately than James, who always tried to smooth things over.
Hell grow up and well meet later, James muttered.
Were leaving now, Margaret countered, seemingly unmoved.
Scotland? Ah, your mum lives there, right? She married there? No, I cant approve that. Its far! What if Billy gets sick while youre away? Do you know a good doctor there? Here Billy sees Dr. Anne Semenova, a vet I trust, but in a foreign land youd end up with the first bloke who offers a consultation. No, take Billy with me, she insisted, rubbing her hands together.
Wed been through this dance a dozen times. It seemed even Margaret didnt fully trust our son.
We could just grab the suitcases and go; she wouldnt stop us. Emily tried a softer angle.
Margaret, were not newborns! she pleaded. First, my mum knows a lot of doctors she worked in a hospital. Second, well call you every day, send photos, update you on Billys health. Third, well be back in a week. Dont make a drama out of this.
James backed her up, Yes, mum, dont worry. Everythings under control. If anything happens well tell you straight away and come back instantly.
Margaret fell silent for a moment, weighing our words.
Fine, she grumbled through clenched teeth. But you must call every day, and Ill want a chat with Billy too. If anything goes wrong, youre back here immediately!
We hurried away, eager to leave the danger zone.
The flight went smoothly. Billy, a bit sulky at first, settled down nicely. Emily, however, felt deflated.
Whats with the long face? Tired? their mother asked, handing Emily a towel for the dishes. The guests had dispersed, drinks were finished, and James and Billy were dozing.
Just feeling a bit low, Emily answered.
How did you get on with the motherinlaw? their mum probed.
Emily almost knocked over the sink.
Not great, her mother admitted, but we got to know each other. You dont remember your own grandmother? She could chat the ears off anyone.
Our families had their own quirks. James and Margaret were like cats and dogs tolerable on the surface, never outright fighting, yet the tension never left. She fretted over Billy, didnt trust us, and claimed shed raise him herself if she could.
Dont make a fuss, their grandma said. Its hard for her to accept a new person. Were chatty, shes more reserved. If shes worried about her grandson, that means she loves him. Just dont argue, and eventually things will settle.
Emily didnt argue, but a potential clash always lingered.
Back in London, Emily decided to return to teaching literature at a secondary school. She wanted to get back to people and perhaps bond with Margaret more quickly if she wasnt stuck at home all day. That meant finding a nursery for Billy.
Whats this advertisement? James asked.
A private nursery. Im looking after Billy while Emily works, James replied.
Emily winced. She hadnt prepared Margaret for this sudden shift.
Margaret, as always, reacted instantly.
A nursery? At two years? Why not send him straight to work? Hes practically an adult! she scolded, staring right through Emily.
James tried to intervene, Whats the problem? Hes still little. Wholl watch him?
The staff will, Emily said.
James reminded her, You sent me to a nursery at two, too.
I had no choice! Margaret retorted. I raised you alone, had to work. Times were different. Now who inspects these private places? Who gives them permission? They turned three flats into a nursery next door! Are those proper conditions?
Emily stayed quiet, knowing the very nursery they were discussing was the one Margaret meant.
A long debate unfolded. Emily explained that nursery would let Billy mingle with peers, learn independence a normal step for many families. James backed her, pointing out that Emily needed to work and Billy was old enough to enjoy it.
He needs kids his own age, Emily said.
He needs his mother! Margaret barked. You must stay with him.
For how long? Until hes eighteen?
Until five at least, Margaret snapped.
Look, Margaret, you sent James to a nursery at two, and my mum sent me to one at eighteen months. What was wrong with your generation? Did your mum stay home until school?
Margaret couldnt recall a time her own mother didnt work. Thats why I think its wrong to pull a child away from his mother early. We were all in clubs and playgrounds from a young age. If not in a nursery, we roamed the streets unsupervised. And that was fine. Ill look after him myself! she declared.
In the end, Margaret won. Emily postponed her return to work and stayed home with Billy. The job remained a distant dream.
In reality, looking after a child wasnt hard for Emily; it was keeping up with Margarets endless directives that was.
What have you dressed him in? Hell freeze! Margaret warned.
Its warm outside, Emily replied.
For a toddler? No.
Life became a perpetual cycle of instructions, advice, and criticism. Margaret controlled everything: what Billy wore, what he ate, when he slept, where they went for a walk.
One evening, after watching Margaret mash a banana for Billy, Emily snapped.
James, help is nice, but theres a limit, she said.
Whats happened? he asked.
My mums gone mad again. Shes suffocating me with her meddling. Billy asked for a banana, she snatched it from my hand and gave him banana porridge instead. He wanted the whole fruit! He can eat it at two, but she wont let him, Emily vented. Tell her to stop.
Just tell her, James shrugged. She wont listen anyway. We tried living with her and its impossible. We need to move.
I know, love, James replied, Its hard, but if we leave shell just call, show up daily, maybe even stay the night. Better to stay in our flat than scramble for a onebedroom rental.
Emily sighed. Then what?
James thought. Lets wait a bit longer. Billy will grow, Margaret will relax, maybe we can move then.
The situation hardly changed. Margaret still held the reins, and Emily kept fighting a feeling of hopelessness. She wanted a normal relationship, but also felt she could just walk away. Convincing James was the hard part.
James, how do you like these shoes with that lipstick? Emily teased.
On Friday, Emily and James were heading to friends house, who also had a toddler about Billys age. Emily longed for an evening out.
Nothing can beat that, James replied.
Margaret, glued to the television, heard the commotion and warned them.
Mom, were going to Oleg and Natashas. Well take Billy so he can play with Nikita, James announced, pulling on his coat.
Great, a bit of peer interaction, Emily whispered.
Margaret interrupted, Why bring a child? Itll be noisy, lots of people. He needs to sleep, not wander around at night!
James sighed, bracing for another lecture on proper parenting.
Mom, let him mingle with other kids. Since you wont let us send him to a nursery, we need him to get out, he explained. And we could use a break.
Are you exhausted? Margaret asked.
From everything! Emily replied.
Dont start, James muttered. Well be back by nine, not staying out late.
Keep calling me! And have him home by eight! Billy needs his rest! Margaret demanded. Emily, foreseeing a ruined night, promised to call and return on time. Billy played happily and fell asleep in the playroom, no worse off than at home. Night fell, but James and Emily lingered.
Margaret, as promised, watched the clock, then called repeatedly. James finally switched his phone off.
James, please, just one night, Emily pleaded, Ive finally remembered what life feels like.
Im not going back yet. Billys asleep. Lets stay a bit longer. Mom will get over it, James said.
Morning started poorly. Margaret, ignoring James and Emily, ate breakfast alone in her bedroom.
Mom, are you seriously upset over this? James asked.
Did someone say something? she snapped, pushing James away.
Total silence.
Emily didnt feel the need to apologise. Theyd visited friends rarely, and Billy was fine. Then strangers entered the flat two women in sharp suits.
Good afternoon, one said, flashing a badge. Were from Childrens Services. We need to inspect the living conditions.
James tried to block them, but Margaret waved them in.
This is my flat, so go ahead! You cant imagine how scared I am for my grandson. There are drunken people out there, they haul him around, feed him badly. He doesnt sleep at home whats that supposed to mean? she exclaimed.
The officers listened, inspected the flat, and spoke with Billy.
Everything looks alright, the senior officer said. You might consider a calming tea, though.
When they left, Emily exploded, James, hold me! I cant take this! James grabbed her shoulders. Did we really get reported to social services because we spent an evening with friends? What if they keep picking on us?
Margaret, still frazzled, replied, I did everything right. Youre both irresponsible. Theyll take Billy, and Ill become his guardian. Hell finally see a proper life, not drunken nights! I love him, you just want to dump him into a nursery or with friends.
Youre out of your mind, Emily shouted.
Exactly! Margaret brayed.
Emily snatched Billy and headed to the bedroom. James, pack up. Were leaving this place!
Emily Mum was nervous yesterday, she overreacted James murmured.
Emily said nothing more about her mother. Im moving to Manchester, she announced. My fathers flat is empty. Are you coming with us or staying with mum?
No answer came.
Emily gave him an hour. After that Im gone. She quickly packed essentials for Billy, called his father, and told him theyd be arriving.
James couldnt muster a reply.
A week later, Emily and Billy stood on the platform at Manchesters main station, ready to start anew. As they turned to leave, someone rushed up from behind and covered Emilys eyes.
James! she heard, seeing roses in his hand.
Im sorry, he whispered. I was wrong to doubt you. Mum she just cant live without us. But I cant live without you.
