Rita packs her things and walks out on you. – Where to? – What difference does it make to you? Clear out the apartment too—it’s mine and Dad’s. I’m renting it out. I don’t need freeloaders here. Go find yourself a place to stay.

Margaret gathered her things and prepared to leave. “Where are you going?” he asked. “What difference does it make to you?” she replied. “Youll need to move out toothis flat belongs to my father and me. Ill be renting it out. Ive no use for layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”

Margaret had returned from work only to find her husband, William, carousing againthis time with his mates. Seated at the table were their neighbour, Peter, and his brother, Nicholas, who had come to visit. They had been celebrating Nicholass holiday for three days straight.

William was not one for drinking oftenhardly even on special occasions. But with friends visiting, he couldnt bring himself to refuse. “Are you my friend or not?” Nicholas kept insisting.

“William, see your friends out and go to bed. They can barely stand,” Margaret said.

“Quiet, woman!” Nicholas barked.

“Margaret, well leave soon,” Peter murmured, rising unsteadily from his chair.

“How dare you speak to my wife like that?”

“Calm yourself. Everyones going home. Time to call it a night.”

Margaret shooed the guests out, pushed William onto the sofa, and began clearing up. Her mother-in-law, Eleanor, would be arriving soonlet her see what her son had been up to.

By the time Eleanor arrived, Margaret had tidied everything and even thrown together a hasty supper, as the guests had devoured what little food had been prepared. The scraps left on the table went straight into the bin.

“Eleanor, Mary, how Ive missed you both!”

“Mummy, Granny has a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad says its a sly one.”

“Mary!”

“Thats what Grandad calls it.”

“Wash your handswell have supper and tea.”

“Wheres William? I rang him, but he didnt answer.”

“Asleep. Celebrating with the neighbour for the third day straight. I come home from work and have to chase them out, only for it to start again in the morning. Might as well lock him out without his keys. Before Nicholas came to stay with Peter, everything was fine. But now I hear hes moved in for good. The flat belongs to both brothers, and Peters wife wont allow drinking at hometheyve young children. So theyve all landed here instead.”

“Theyve been friends since primary school. Ever since we moved here, theyve been inseparable. You cant just cut that off. You ought to move.”

“Where to? The house isnt finished yet, though its nearly there. Wed need to go and check on it. And how could we leave him?”

“Hell come running after you.”

“Who will?” William appeared in the kitchen doorway.

“You. Who else? Here you are, drawn by the smell of food, I suppose?”

“I dont want anything.”

“Good. Margaret is packing her things and leaving you.”

“Where to?”

“Whats it to you? Youll need to clear out toothis flat belongs to my father and me. Ill be renting it. Ive no patience for idlers. Find your own place.”

“What place, Mother?” Nicholas was stunned. “Weve a house being built!”

“A house? Think carefullywhose house is it? Who put money into it? Thats rightMargaret and you. But you used our money. The house will be for Margaret and Mary. Margaret, dont just stand therepack your things and Marys.”

“I wont let you take my daughter!”

“Oh, Im terrified.”

“Shes mine. Margaret has no right to her.”

“And when she stepped in as her mother, did she have a right then? Arent you ashamed? She is her mother! And dont you dare say another word in front of Mary. Just pack your things.”

“Mother, Im your son. What about me?”

“And? The flat must be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”

“Where to?”

“To inspect their house and hurry the builders along. Theres not much left to do. Well order the furniture while were at it.”

“And me?”

“Why do you fret so? Youve friendstheyll take you in.”

“No, this isnt right.”

“Ive said my piece. Margaret, have you packed everything? Then lets go. Take the car keys.”

“My car?”

“Youd rather we walked? Youre in no state to drive.”

“Well stay with us tonight and see about the house tomorrow,” Eleanor said. “Its the weekend. Well air the place out and rest. Let him think things over.”

The next morning, William stood on his parents doorstep with his belongings. Jesting with his mother was unwiseif she decreed something, it would be so.

“What do you want?”

“Mother, you told me to clear the flat. Its done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere else. Ill take Mary and Margaret back. Where are they?”

“Theyre here for now, but soon well go and see their house.”

“Ive been looking for them. Mother, can we talk? I was wrong. Its those brothersyou know Nicholas and Peter. Theyre impossible to shake off.”

“Which is why you wont be living there anymore.”

Margaret and William reconciled. She had been deeply hurt, but she believed him.

“No more neighbours, no more friends.”

“Mark my wordsif this happens again, youll not see Mary. She stays with me. And the baby too”

“Baby? A baby! We must finish the house quickly. I must tell Mother!”

“Dont shoutshe knows. It might not be a boyits still early.”

“Doesnt matter. Boy or girl. Youre my Margaret!” William swept her up and spun her around.

“Careful! Put me down.”

The family moved into their new home. Marys little brother was born soon after they settled in.

“Mary, come see your brother,” said her grandmother.

“Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now Ive two mums. Right, Granny?”

“Yes, little one.”

“Im not little. He is. And Mummy promised wed get a sly, scruffy face. Or”

“Mary!”

“Thats what Grandad says”

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