– Your mum is going to ruin our holiday, – grumbled the wife, and she wasn’t wrong.
– Where are you planning to go for your holiday? – a hint of envy appeared in Doris Smith’s eyes.
– To Cornwall, – the couple exchanged nervous glances.
They knew very well that the woman wasn’t just asking out of curiosity. She intended to join the young couple, who were hoping for some time alone.
– Oh, how lovely! I’ll come with you! – declared Doris Smith decisively.
– Mum, we don’t have extra money for this, – Mark hinted at their financial limitations.
– Am I asking for your money? – Doris frowned. – I have enough of my own, just no one to travel with. How much do you need? I’ll give it to you, and you can book my ticket and room in the same hotel as yours.
– Mum, you probably won’t enjoy the sort of holiday we’ve planned, – Mark grinned, exchanging a look with his wife.
– If necessary, I’ll find ways to entertain myself, – Doris waved off her son’s concerns as if brushing away an annoying fly.
Mark no longer protested and did as she wanted. The flight to Cornwall was scheduled for five days later.
Meanwhile, Doris was busy preparing for the trip: she bought summer clothes and several hats.
On the appointed day, the trio boarded the plane. During the flight, Doris began expressing her first complaints.
She disliked the meal options, was irritated by noisy children, and the tea was too hot.
She grumbled throughout the flight and only calmed down once they landed.
However, once they checked into the hotel, a new wave of disapproval arose. This time, it was the room that bothered Doris, particularly the bed.
– You should have booked a double instead of this poky thing, – she grumbled. – I can’t leave anything to you…
– Shall I ask for a room change? – Mark found himself feeling unexpectedly guilty.
– No, – Doris muttered, – I’ll manage, but you should have thought of this sooner.
Barely had the couple settled in their room when Emily couldn’t hold back her frustration over her mother-in-law’s behavior.
– I have a feeling your mum’s going to ensure we have a ‘fantastic’ holiday, – Emily frowned and made air quotes with her fingers. – As sure as anything, she’ll ruin it…
Mark sighed and helplessly spread his arms, equally unsure of what to expect from his mum.
For about two hours, Doris didn’t make her presence felt, so the couple decided to discreetly sneak off to the beach.
But Doris seemed to sense this and immediately appeared at their door.
– Where are you off to? – she asked reproachfully. – Why didn’t you invite me?
– To the beach, – the couple exchanged sheepish looks.
– I’m coming with you, wait up! – announced the mother-in-law and rushed to her room to change.
The young couple waited for about half an hour for her return. Doris, wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, leisurely strolled down the corridor toward them.
– We’ve been waiting just for you, – frowned Mark, eager to get to the beach.
– We’ll make it, – Doris rolled her eyes.
The trio hurried to the beach. Once there, they discovered all the sun loungers were taken.
This only disappointed Doris, as the young couple didn’t intend to laze in the sun.
The displeased woman puffed out her cheeks and looked around indignantly.
– Why did we even bother coming here? Let’s go back, – she grumbled irritably.
– We didn’t come here for that, – Emily shook her head.
– Then why? To watch others sunbathe? – Doris surveyed the beach again, muttering.
– To swim, – Mark chimed in.
– No, I’m too old for that, – Doris grimaced. – Let’s head back to the room.
Emily and Mark exchanged puzzled looks. They didn’t want to follow her lead.
But Doris wasn’t about to back down. She started whining and complaining about feeling faint in the sun.
– Mum, if you want, go back to the room, – Mark suggested.
– No, I’m not going alone, – Doris stubbornly replied.
Initially, they tried to ignore her grievances, but when she began feigning a swoon, they had to leave the beach.
The son and daughter-in-law held her arms as Doris swayed from side to side.
– What are we doing today? – she asked as soon as they returned to her room. – It feels like a dull holiday, – she added, pouting. – How are you going to entertain me?
– We never promised that, – Emily frowned, displeased by her mother-in-law’s interference.
– I saw there’s a disco for over-fifties at nine in the common area, – Doris announced cheerfully, ignoring Emily’s words.
– What would we do there? – Mark chuckled, unimpressed by his mother’s suggestion. – You should go.
– I’m not going alone! – Doris replied sharply. – I don’t know anyone there…
– You’ll meet people, – Mark tried to convince her.
– No, I won’t go alone, – Doris sat on the edge of the bed, sulking.
Mark felt obliged to give in, and in the evening, much to his wife’s dismay, he accompanied his mother to the disco.
Doris was thrilled to have her son’s company. She made him dance with her all evening, catching envious glances from her peers, who mistook Mark for her young suitor.
The envious looks pleased Doris so much that she dragged her son to the event daily.
She did everything to ensure he and Emily didn’t venture out together, fearing that holidaymakers would realize Mark was just her son.
After five days, Emily had had enough and told her husband.
– Why did we even come here? – Emily fumed. – For you to entertain your mum? Thanks, darling, for the holiday!
– What can I do? – Mark sighed. – How do I say no to her?
– We shouldn’t have brought her along in the first place! – Emily replied, annoyed.
After this chat, Mark began declining his mother’s requests, making her upset.
The rest of the holiday was a source of stress for all three. Disheartened, they returned home.
Emily held a grudge against her husband for a long time, but after a month, she softened.
However, six months later, Doris suggested a trip to Brighton.
The young couple exchanged conspiratorial glances and quickly declined, citing financial constraints.
Mark and Emily had no desire for another joint trip with Doris.
