Swetlana, But Isn’t It Freezing There in Winter?

Emily, but its freezing in the countryside in winter! Youll need a woodburning stove and lots of firewood!

Mother, you grew up on a farm, youve only ever known that kind of life. Granddad and Grandma spent their whole lives in the village, and they were fine. In summer its lovely you can tend the garden, pick berries and mushrooms in the woods.

Margaret is only just getting used to retired life. Shes sixty, with thirtyfive years spent as an accountant in a factory. Now she can sip her tea slowly in the morning, read a book and have no rush to be anywhere.

The first months of her pension are quiet and peaceful. She gets up whenever she likes, enjoys a leisurely breakfast, and watches her favourite programmes. She shops at the supermarket at offpeak times, which after forty years feels like a small miracle.

On a Saturday morning Emily calls:

Mother, we need to have a serious talk.

Whats wrong? Margaret asks, worried. Is Lucy all right?

Everythings fine with the baby. Ill come over and explain everything. Dont worry!

That reassurance makes Margarets anxiety grow when children say dont worry, theres always something to worry about.

An hour later Emily sits at the kitchen table, hand on her swollen belly. Shes thirtytwo, another child is on the way, and she still hasnt married Mark. Though theyve been living together for four years, Lucy is growing up, and a marriage certificate seems irrelevant to them.

Mother, we have a problem with the flat, Emily says, fiddling with the handle of her mug. Our landlord wants to raise the rent. Were barely coping with what we pay now, and shes asking for an extra two thousand pounds.

Margaret nods sympathetically. She knows how hard it is for young people. Mark hops from job to job today a warehouse loader, tomorrow a courier, the day after a security guard. Emily is on maternity leave with Lucy and will soon go back on a second leave.

We thought about moving to a cheaper place, Emily continues, but nobody wants to take a child with them.

What are you planning to do? Margaret asks, already sensing a catch.

Thats why Im here, Emily says, tugging at the edge of her sweater. Could we stay with you for a while? Just until we save enough for a mortgage.

Margaret pours herself a cup of tea. Her twobedroom council flat is already cramped; adding a whole family with a small child and another on the way seems impossible.

Emily, how will we all fit? I only have two small rooms.

Well manage, Emily replies. The main thing is to save on rent. Were paying thirteen thousand pounds a year now thats over a hundred thousand pounds in ten years! If we saved that, we could put it toward a deposit.

Margaret imagines Mark pacing the flat, shouting into the phone, Lucy crying loudly, toys strewn everywhere, cartoons blasting at full volume, and Emily demanding constant attention because of her pregnancy.

Where will Lucy sleep? Margaret asks, trying to find a sensible solution.

Well put a cot in the larger room with us. You can use the smaller room you only need a sofa and a TV.

Emily, I just retired. After forty years of work Im exhausted and I need peace.

Emily sighs, as if Margaret had said something absurd. Mother, why do you need peace at sixty? Youre still healthy. Grandmothers your age are still looking after their grandchildren.

It sounds like youre accusing me of being selfish, Margaret hears in Emilys tone. And you mention the cottage you own. Its a lovely house, wellkept by Grandma all these years. You could stay there fresh air, garden, tomatoes, all good for health, as doctors recommend for older people.

The cottage? Margaret repeats, incredulous. Its thirty miles from town, the bus only runs in the morning and evening.

Winter is cold there, youll need a wood stove, Emily says. You grew up in the countryside, you know how it works. In summer you can pick berries and mushrooms.

Emilys suggestion sounds more like a holiday resort than a simple countryside move.

What about doctors, pharmacies, grocery trips? Margaret asks.

You wont go every day. Maybe once a month for a checkup, and you can stock up on food and freeze it. Your freezer is big enough.

What about my friends, my neighbours?

Phone them, or they can visit the cottage for a barbecue. Itll be fun.

Margaret cant believe what shes hearing. Her daughter is seriously proposing that she become a secluded cottagedweller just so the flat becomes free for the family.

How long do you want to stay in my flat? Margaret asks.

At least a year, maybe a year and a half.

A year or a year and a half! Living with us in a twobedroom council flat, or being sent off to the cottage alone.

What does Mark think?

Hes all for it, Emily says. He says the cottage will be far better than the city no hustle, no stress.

He could even install a satellite dish for more channels, Emily adds, imagining Mark lounging on Margarets favourite sofa.

Think about it, Mother, Emily urges. Youve got two rooms, not much to do alone. Well be tidy, well save, well get back on our feet.

When would you move?

Tomorrow, if you like. We dont have many belongings. The landlord is already looking for new tenants and wants us out by the end of the month. Time is short.

Margaret pours another cup of tea with trembling hands. Emily watches her, waiting for a decision, eyes saying, Will you say no to your own daughter in her time of need?

Emily, what if you and Mark split up? Youre not married.

What does it matter? Weve been together four years, the kids are ours.

But if you break up, what then?

We wont break up, Emily says firmly. Even if something happens, the flat is still yours.

Margaret knows Mark changes jobs every six months, his friends come and go, and his commitment is shaky. Yet Emily clings to him like a schoolgirl, ready to do anything for him.

Mother, I just wanted a bit of peace after retirement.

For yourself? Emily snaps. This is a holy cause supporting your children and grandchildren!

Emily plays on Margarets emotions expertly.

What if I say no? If I cant take you in?

Emily falls silent, then sighs heavily and rests her hands on her belly.

Mother, I dont know what will happen then. It would hurt me terribly if you turned me away in a crisis.

Her words sound like a veiled threat, a promise of lifelong resentment.

Emily imagines telling everyone, Can you believe my mother refused to help her own daughter?

And then where will we go? she sobs. Two kids, no money. Mark suggests we move to his mothers onebedroom flat, but she isnt keen on us.

Margaret knows Marks mother a sharp, blunt woman who wont tolerate long stays.

Please, help us! Emily pleads. Just a year. Well be careful, we wont disturb you. You can still go to the cottage whenever you like.

How often will I have to travel there?

Whenever you like. Maybe weekends in town, groceries, visits with friends. Weekdays at the cottage peace and quiet, perfect for an older person.

Alright, Margaret finally says, feeling a strange relief. But only for a year. Exactly one year, no more. And you must keep saving and looking for your own place.

Emily throws her arms around her mother.

Thank you, Mum! Youre the best. Everything will be fine, well handle the housework.

Ill go to the cottage whenever I wish, Margaret adds. Thats my condition.

Of course, Mum! Your flat, your rules. Were guests, we understand.

A week later they move in. Mark efficiently stuffs his belongings into the wardrobe. Olivia darts from room to room, exploring the new space. Emily directs where everything goes.

Margaret stands in the middle of the upheaval, packing a bag for the cottage, feeling like an exile from her own home.

The first months are a nightmare. Mark quickly adapts, blasting the TV, shouting on the phone at any hour, filling the fridge with energy drinks and protein shakes. Emily whines for special attention, complaining its too hot, too cold, music is too loud. Olivia cries at night, toys litter the floor, cartoons run from dawn till dusk.

Margaret drives into town once a week for groceries and medicine, horrified at the chaos. The tidy flat becomes a hallway. Dirty dishes pile up, childrens clothes and Marks socks dry in the bathroom, the beloved sofa stained with juice and biscuit crumbs.

Emily, shall we tidy up a bit? Margaret suggests.

Mother, when? Ive got a baby, Marks exhausted after work, I need rest in the evenings.

I can help while Im in town.

No need, well manage. Once the baby arrives well clean.

Later never arrives. Margaret ends up washing dishes, vacuuming, dusting, only for the mess to return by the time she returns.

On the cottage, she feels like a true outsider. Thirty miles from civilisation, the nearest shop three miles away, the bus runs twice daily.

Neighbours comment, Molly, why are you living out there all year? Youve got a flat in town.

Its temporary, Margaret explains. My daughters saving for her own home.

Theyll get it eventually, right? the neighbours say.

Winter at the cottage is harsh. Firewood runs out quickly, water must be boiled on the stove. Margaret feels stranded at the edge of the world.

Six months later Emily gives birth to a son, Dennis. Margaret hopes the family will finally look for permanent housing. When she visits the city to see the newborn, Emily declares, Mother, with two kids well never find a place. Lets stay another year, okay?

Margaret realises shes been duped from the start. One year will become two, two will become three.

Youll spend your pension years on that abandoned cottage? she thinks. No more!

When the police finally evict Emily, her partner, and the children, curses and threats fly at Margaret. She doesnt mind; the agreement was for a year, and she kept it. Is she ashamed before her neighbours? As the saying goes, Whats sewn together stays together.

What do you think did the mother act rightly, or did she overstep? Share your thoughts.