– Your mum will ruin our holiday, – grumbled the wife, and she wasn’t wrong.
– Where are you heading for your holiday? – an envious glint appeared in Margaret’s eyes.
– Cornwall, – the couple exchanged uneasy glances.
They knew all too well that she had a reason for asking. She clearly planned on tagging along with the young couple, and that was the last thing they wanted.
– Oh, how lovely! I’ll join you! – Margaret declared decisively.
– Mum, we don’t have spare funds, – James hinted at their financial constraints.
– I’m not asking you for money, – she frowned. – I’ve got the funds, just no one to go with. How much do you need? I’ll give it, and you can buy my tickets and book a room in the same hotel.
– Mum, you probably won’t like how we spend our time, – James chuckled, glancing at his wife.
– I’ll find things to do, if necessary, – Margaret waved off her son’s concerns.
James didn’t protest further and did as she wished. The flight to Cornwall was set for five days later.
Before that, Margaret busied herself preparing: buying summer clothes and hats.
On the day, the trio boarded the plane. Margaret began showing her first signs of annoyance during the flight.
She didn’t like the in-flight meals, was annoyed by kids’ cries, and found the tea too hot.
She moaned through the flight, calming only once they were off the plane.
However, checking into the hotel sparked a fresh wave of complaints. This time, Margaret was displeased with her room, particularly the bed.
– You should’ve picked a double bed, not this tiny cot, – she grumbled. – You can’t be trusted with anything…
– Should I ask for a room change? – James unexpectedly felt guilty.
– No, – Margaret muttered, – I’ll manage. Should’ve thought of this earlier.
As soon as the couple were in their room, Emily couldn’t hold back her frustration over her mother-in-law’s behavior.
– I feel your mum’s going to really make this holiday “special”, – she frowned, making air quotes. – She’s bound to ruin it…
James sighed and shrugged helplessly. Even he was uncertain what to expect from his mother.
For about two hours, they heard nothing from her, so they decided to sneak off to the beach.
But Margaret seemed to sense it and appeared at their door.
– Where are you off to? – she inquired, disapproval in her voice. – Why didn’t you invite me?
– The beach, – the couple exchanged bashful looks.
– I’ll come with you, wait up! – Margaret declared and dashed to her room.
After about thirty minutes, the young couple waited as Margaret leisurely wandered along in her wide-brimmed straw hat.
– Mum, we’re only waiting for you, – James frowned, eager to head to the beach.
– We’ll get there, – she rolled her eyes.
They hurried to the beach, but arrived only to find all the loungers occupied.
That fact only upset Margaret, as the young couple hadn’t come to laze in the sun.
The disgruntled woman pursed her lips and glanced around sulkily.
– Why did we even come here? Let’s head back, – she grumbled with annoyance.
– We didn’t come for that, – Emily shook her head.
– For what then? To watch others lying about? – Margaret glanced around impatiently.
– To swim, – James interjected.
– No, I’m too old for that now, – Margaret fretted. – Let’s go back to the room.
Emily and James exchanged bewildered looks. They didn’t want to yield to her.
Yet Margaret refused to back down, complaining about the stifling heat and feeling faint.
– Mum, if you want, head back to the room, – James suggested.
– No, I won’t go alone, – Margaret stubbornly refused.
They tried ignoring her gripes, but when she began to play up, pretending to swoon, they had to leave the beach.
James and Emily escorted her, supporting her while she dramatically swayed side to side.
– What’s the plan for today? – she asked as soon as she was back in her room. – This isn’t much of a holiday, – she pouted. – How will you keep me entertained?
– We didn’t promise to, – Emily frowned, annoyed by her mother-in-law dictating their time.
– There’s a dance for the over-fifties at nine in the main hall, – Margaret cheerfully announced, ignoring her words.
– What would we do there? – James smirked, not fond of the idea. – You should go.
– No, I won’t go alone! – Margaret snapped. – I don’t know anyone there…
– You can meet new people, – James tried to persuade her.
– No, I won’t go alone, – Margaret sat on the bed’s edge and sulked.
James had to relent and, despite Emily’s disapproval, accompanied his mother to the dance.
Margaret was thrilled her son was with her. She made him dance with her all evening, relishing in the envious glances of her peers assuming he was her young beau.
She loved those jealous looks so much, she dragged him along nightly to the event.
She did everything to ensure he and Emily didn’t venture out together, fearing others would realize James was merely her son.
Five days into the trip, Emily finally told her husband outright.
– Why did we come here? – she fumed. – So you could entertain your mum? Thanks for the holiday, darling!
– What can I do? – James sighed. – How do I say no?
– You shouldn’t have brought her along! – she pouted indignantly.
After that talk, James began saying no to his mother, which shifted her sulking to him.
The rest of the holiday was a stressful affair. They returned home with frayed nerves.
Emily stayed upset with James for a long time, but after a month, she softened.
However, six months later, Margaret brought up a trip to Brighton.
The young couple exchanged conspiratorial glances and hurriedly declined, citing financial reasons.
Neither James nor Emily had any desire for further trips with Margaret.
