Mom, You Had Your Fun at Our Cottage—Now It’s Time to Leave,” Said the Daughter-in-Law as She Kicked Her Mother-in-Law Off the Property

“Oi, Mum, had your fun at our cottage? Time to head back,” the daughter-in-law shooed her mother-in-law off the property.

Emily still couldnt believe it. Had they actually bought their own cottage? Theyd dreamt of it for ten long years, but life kept throwing spanners in the worksmortgage payments, the kids school fees, another recession But finally, after checking their savings, theyd decided: now or never.

Her husband, James, worked at an insurance firmnothing fancywhile Emily was a paediatric physiotherapist. She earned decently, but a country home had always felt out of reach. Then fate stepped in. Both her grandmother and Jamess passed away within months, each leaving behind a flat in small towns.

After endless discussions, they sold both flats, pooled the money, and made their dream a realitya plot of land.

The perfect place popped up quickly. Most people wait for summer to sell, but James was adamant.

“Well talk ourselves out of it if we wait,” he grumbled.

Emily agreed. Everything was falling into place!

The plot was idealelectricity, gas, and plumbing already set up. All they needed was a cosy little house, even if just for summers.

Come spring, James took leave and, with his mate Oliver, got to work. They cracked on without breaks, and within a month, the family was celebrating their new home.

Not that there was much to sleep onjust air mattresses and blankets brought from the city. But they had a stove and running water. The rest could wait.

“Cheers, James! Proper job!” Oliver raised his pint.

The men knocked back their drinks, loaded their plates with barbecue, slathered the meat in ketchup and onions, and dug in.

“Can you believe it? At Christmas, I never imagined wed have our own place!” Emily beamed, gesturing at the house.

Dusk settled, but they lingered outside, enjoying their impromptu garden party.

“Hello, love, hows it all going?” Jamess mum, Margaret, cooed over the phone.

That sweet tone? She was definitely up to something.

“Brilliant, Mum!” James chirped.

“Oh, I know. The grandkids said youve bought a cottage?”

“Thats right! Not just any cottagea proper country retreat!”

Margaret laughed theatrically, then her voice flattened. “Well, good for you…”

“Howre you, Mum?”

“Oh, whats there to say at my age? Doctors reckon I need peace and quiet, no stress. Wheres that supposed to come from? Spas cost a fortune…”

“Mum, come stay with us!”

“Dont be silly! Emily wont want me underfoot”

“Just come, alright?”

“Fine, if you insist. Ill bake your favouritemy Victoria sponge.”

When James told Emily, she wasnt thrilled.

“So, we get a cottage, and suddenly her doctors prescribe country air?” she scoffed.

“Yep.”

“Not suspicious at all?”

“Nah, her blood pressures dodgy.”

“James, shes not here for her healthshes here to snoop!”

“Relax. Shell stay a week, then go home.”

“Remember last time?”

James had forgotten. Emily hadnt. Margaret had meddled relentlesslyspreading gossip, stirring fights, even implying James was “too good” for their family. Petty tricks, tooover-salting stew, swapping sugar for salt. Emily had sent her packing.

She didnt doubt Margaret would stir the pot again. But picking a fight wasnt worth it. Maybe this time would be different?

“Oh, this is lovely! A proper little Eden!” Margaret gushed, admiring the cottage. “Emily, youve outdone yourself! Hold onto her, Jamesa wife like this is rare!”

“Since when the praise?” Emily frowned.

“Oh, youve always been my favourite. James is a muppet, but you? Gold.”

“Cheers, Mum,” James laughed.

“Just stating facts. Now, whats for dinner?”

“Barbecue every night,” Emily said. “Hope thats alright?”

“Of course! Last time I had proper barbecue was in BrightonJames was still in school!”

“Right, Jamesfire up the grill. Ill grab the meat.”

“Mind if I tag along? Fancy another look at the house.”

This time, Margaret seemed differentjovial, warm. Maybe shed changed? Or maybe Emily was just hopeful.

While James and Margaret fetched plates, a phone buzzed, screen-up. Emilys gaze caught a message:

*When are you back in town? Have you told her? Im waiting. X*

The phone slipped from her fingers onto the grass. Her mind raced.

*How do we tell the kids? Split the house? Who is she? How could he?*

“Plates are here!” James announced.

“I need a minute,” Emily muttered, bolting inside.

She splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady herself.

“Whats wrong?” Margaret dodged as Emily nearly knocked over a ketchup bottle.

“James is seeing someone.”

Margaret pulled her into a hugoddly unsurprised.

“You knew?”

“I hoped hed snap out of it. Youve been together since uni, the kids, this place… Like I saidmuppet.”

Emily sobbed. If hed told his mum, it was serious.

“Listen. Dry your eyes. No scenes, alright?”

Emily nodded.

“Well sort it. No way were handing him over.”

The words helpeda little.

Next day, James headed to town for “warm clothes” (forecast said a chill was coming).

Emily knew the real reason. She played along.

Once his car vanished, Margaret hatched a plan.

“You need a man.”

*”What?!”*

“Doesnt have to be real. Just make James jealous. Sometimes men forget what theyve got. A little competition might wake him up.”

Ridiculousbut it made sense.

“Who, then?”

“Oliver? Hes single. Helped build this place.”

“Call him. Barbecue, drinks, short dress. Let James come home to his spot taken!”

Oliver agreed, though theyd barely spoken before.

“Wheres James?” he asked.

“Back later. Im hopeless at grillingneed a mans touch.”

Margaret watched from the window.

“More wine?” Oliver offered.

“Go easyIm a lightweight,” Emily flirted.

“Youre gorgeous, Em,” Oliver said, passing her fruit. “Shame I havent got someone like you. Dont tell James, though.”

Emily blushed. What if he tried something? Not that she owed James anything now.

A car screeched up the drive.

James slammed the brakes, nearly hitting the