“Your wealth should show in your gifts,” snapped the mother-in-law.
“You’re better off than Sophie, so your presents ought to match,” she grumbled.
“I really dont know what to get Mum,” mused Laurence, flopping onto the sofa beside his wife.
Emily just shrugged in reply. Picking a gift for her mother-in-law was always tricky.
Things with Margaret Thompson had been strained almost from the start.
Laurence had understood his mothers stance straight away, and after talking it over with Emily, theyd agreed to keep their distance.
No one owed anyone anything. The odd phone call and the occasional family gathering were the extent of their interaction.
This year, Margaret had decided to throw a birthday party and had invited most of the familyincluding the young couple.
“Actually, Mum said shed be happy with anything,” Laurence suddenly remembered.
“She always says that, then turns her nose up,” Emily muttered, recalling past disappointments. “Your sister can give her anything, but not us!”
She remembered every criticism Margaret had ever made about their gifts.
“Remember Mothers Day? What did we get her? A lovely set of expensive cosmetics, and what was her reaction? Tears and complaints that we thought she was old and unattractive,” Emily sighed. “The only gifts she ever liked were gold or techthings she could price up.”
“Maybe I should call and ask what she wants?” Laurence hesitated.
“Up to you,” his wife replied, shaking her head.
Taking the easy way out, Laurence dialled his mothers number to find out what shed like.
“Darling, I dont need a thing. Just having you there will be gift enough,” Margaret Thompson said sweetly.
“Mum, are you sure? You wont mind?” Laurence pressed.
“Of course not! Id be delighted with any little trinket,” she laughed. Laurence decided to take her at her word.
“Mum says we can get her whatever we like,” he told Emily.
She eyed him sceptically. She didnt trust her mother-in-laws words one bit.
But Laurence insisted on choosing the gift himself, so Emily gave in.
“How about a robot vacuum? Saves her lugging the hoover around,” Emily suggested after checking their budget.
They agreed. They bought Margaret a present for a thousand pounds and headed cheerfully to the party.
The birthday girl greeted her son and daughter-in-law with a beaming smileuntil she spotted the box with the vacuum inside.
“Why?” she huffed, sighing. “Laurence, just put that in the bedroom.”
Emily stared at her mother-in-law, stunned by her reaction.
Soon after, Laurences sister arrived with her husband, flinging her arms around her mother.
“Mum, this is for you!”
“Oh, thank you, love! Youve outdone yourself!” Margaret gushed, hugging her tight.
Curious, Emily wondered what lavish gift had pleased her mother-in-law so much.
To her shock, Sophie had given her mother a simple cosmetics set worth no more than twenty quid.
She exchanged a puzzled glance with Laurence, who had also seen his sisters gift.
From his expression, she could tell he was deeply disappointed by their mothers reaction.
For hours, Laurence held his temper. But when Margaret started raving about Sophies present again, he snapped.
“Mum, can we talk?” he asked, pulling her aside.
“Whats the matter?” she asked, stepping closer. “Something wrong?”
“Yes, somethings wrong! I asked you about a giftremember your answer?” he shot back.
“I remember…”
“Then why the fuss over ours? Yet you wont stop praising some cheap little box,” Laurence said bitterly. “Dont lie and say Im imagining it.”
“I wont lie. Youre better off than Sophie, so your gifts should reflect that,” Margaret grumbled.
“And what do we give you? Rubbish? Should we staple a receipt to every present to make you happy?” Laurence scowled.
“Oh, enough of this,” she snapped, clearly wanting to end the conversation. “What can I say? I liked Sophies gift more.”
“Because you dont know the price of ours?” Laurence said sarcastically. “In case youre wondering, it cost a thousand quid!”
“That much?” Margaret gasped, feigning shock.
But she quickly found a way to wriggle out.
“You know why I value Sophies gifts more? Because they give what they can affordyou just throw money at it,” she said sharply.
“Mum, are you serious?” Laurence rubbed his temples.
“Do I look like Im joking? With your income, you couldve treated me to a spa weekend,” she said, tossing her head.
Laurence stared at her, dumbfounded.
“Do you honestly think Emily and I have money growing on trees?” he burst out.
His shout brought Emily and Sophie to the doorway, frozen in surprise.
Sophie caught on quicker and jumped to their mothers defence.
“Mum didnt want a robot vacuumshe wanted a humidifier. Hers broke three days ago. If you bothered to ask, youd know,” Sophie retorted.
“I did ask!” Laurence growled through gritted teeth. “Are you having a laugh? No more gifts from now on! We try to please you, and you just complain! The vacuums not enoughnow its a humidifier! Sorry were such a let-down! Lets go!” he snapped, turning to Emily.
Margaret burst into tears as Sophie comforted her, and the couple stormed out, faces set.
Laurence kept his word. To avoid buying gifts or feeling foolish, he stopped attending family gatherings altogethercutting off the stress for good.
