Nothing More Lies Ahead for You

Victor, Ive been promoted! Ethels voice broke into an excited squeak as she slipped off her shoes on the spot. Can you imagine? With bonuses itll be nearly two hundred thousand pounds! Hooray!

She burst into the sittingroom, ready to throw herself into Victors arms. But she stopped at the doorway. Victor was lounging on the settee, and beside him, leaning against the arm of an armchair, sat his mother, Martha Harris. A forced smile lingered on Ethels lips. The air grew heavy, as if a thick fog had settled in the room. Her cheeks flushed with a sudden heatshe had come in like a schoolgirl whod just earned a top mark, and now her motherinlaw regarded her with a stern, evaluative gaze.

Victor shifted on the settee but did not rise fully. Martha remained silent, scanning her daughterinlaw from head to toe. Seconds stretched into a sticky pause. Ethel clenched the handle of her handbag and dropped her eyes to the floor. The joy that had pulsed through her moments before felt suddenly childish and out of place.

Ethel, isnt that wonderful news! a voice cut through the hush. Ethel lifted her head.

Marthas face broke into a broad smile. She moved toward her daughterinlaw, arms thrown wide, and Ethel stepped forward hesitantly. Martha embraced herbriefly but firmlyand gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Congratulations, dear! Youve earned it! she said.

Thank you, Ethel managed, still not quite grasping what was happening.

Victor rose from the settee and came closer, a genuine, warm smile playing on his features.

I always knew youd make it, he said, pulling her gently around his waist.

Martha stepped back, folded her arms, and shook her head slightly.

Now our lives will be better, wont they? she declared.

Ethel nodded, unsure how to answer. The words sounded right, yet there was something else lurking beneath them, something she could not quite catch.

Alright, children, I wont intrude any longer, Martha said, taking her bag from the arm of the chair and heading for the door. Enjoy yourselves; youve earned this.

Victor escorted his mother to the exit. Ethel stood alone in the middle of the sittingroom. The door clicked shut, and Victor returned. His smile remained, but a flicker of unease passed through his eyes.

What was that all about? Ethel asked, sitting on the edge of the settee and looking at him.

What exactly? Victor replied, moving to the kitchen and turning on the kettle.

She rose and followed him.

So, your mother why did she turn up?

Victor fetched two mugs from the cupboard.

Nothing serious, just small talk, he shrugged. Dont mind it.

Victor!

He sighed, turning back to Ethel, fatigue softening his gaze.

We and my dad took out a £200,000 loan to redecorate the flat. They came to ask for a bit of money because they cant keep up with the repayments at the moment.

Ethel nodded. The kettle began to whistle, water boiling furiously. Victor poured the hot water into the mugs and dropped in the tea bags. She cradled her mug, feeling the warmth seep into her hands. An uneasy feeling settled in her gutsticky, heavy. She couldnt explain where it had come from, but it was there.

What did you tell them? she asked quietly.

That Ill help when I can. You know we have no spare cash right now.

Ethel nodded again and took a sip. The hot liquid scalded her lips, but she barely noticed. Her thoughts drifted elsewhere, trying to reconcile Victors words with the knot tightening inside her.

The next two weeks flew by unnoticed. The new position consumed Ethel entirelytasks arrived one after another, her schedule tightened, yet she relished every day. It was the career she had chased, and now that the goal was reached, satisfaction settled deep within her. She returned home weary but content.

One evening, Ethel left the office a little earlier than usual. Rain drizzled down the street as she hurried to her car, turned on the heater, and on the way home stopped at a corner shop for a few essentialsbread, milk, something for supper. At home she shed her damp coat, hung it on the rack, and set the groceries on the kitchen counter.

Ten minutes later the front door rang. Ethel wiped her hands on a towel and went to answer it. On the doorstep stood Martha, umbrella forgotten, hair slick with rain, wrapped in an old overcoat. No smile crossed her face.

Good evening, Ethel, she said, stepping inside. Is Victor home?

No, hes still at work. Is something wrong?

Martha settled onto the settee, looking Ethel up and down.

Ethel, Ill get straight to the point. I need some moneyjust a little, about ten thousand pounds.

Ethel froze in the doorway.

You know were in a tight spot. The loan is pressing, pensions are thin. And now youre welloffperhaps you could help?

Ethel was silent, unsure what to say. Embarrassment tangled with irritation.

I Martha, I dont have cash on me at the moment, she began, but Martha cut her off.

No problem, just transfer it. You have a phone, dont you?

Ethel stared at her motherinlaw, realizing argument was futile. Marthas stare was unwavering, certainty etched in every line of her face.

She complied, sending the money as asked. Martha nodded and moved toward the door.

Thank you, dear.

The door shut behind her, leaving Ethel alone in the hallway. Only then did it sink inMartha hadnt mentioned when or how she would repay. Not a word. She had simply taken the money and left.

That feeling lingered unpleasantly.

Two weeks later Ethel received her first hefty paycheck. The figure flashing on her phone made her smileshe had truly earned it. On the way home she stopped at a shop and bought a cake, sushi, and a pizza, intending to celebrate with Victor.

She reached her flat, opened the door, and stepped inside. Voices drifted from the livingroom. Carrying the shopping bags, she paused at the threshold. Martha was seated there, Victor nearby on the settee, his face looking tired.

Ethel set the bags down by the entrance.

Is something wrong? she asked.

Martha lifted her eyes, desperation and anger flickering within them. She moved closer.

Ethel, love, were in trouble. The pension isnt enough, and we still have to meet the loanthirty thousand pounds by the end of the month. Were at our wits end

Ethel frowned. Martha spoke rapidly, as if fearing Ethel would interrupt.

We really need help, Ethel. Thirty thousand isnt much, is it?

Victor rose from the settee.

Mum, Ive got no money. Id love to help, but Im flat broke at the moment. Not a penny.

Martha glanced at the bags at Ethels feet.

And look, Ethels got moneyshe even bought delicacies.

Ethel stepped back a pace. The space between them narrowed to just a foot.

Youre a good daughterinlaw, arent you? You wont let the family suffer. Its only fair you pitch in. Who else but you?

The words lodged in Ethels throat. The audacity of the woman crossed every line.

Why should I help? Ethel finally forced out.

Marthas eyes flashed with confidence.

Because youre now the highest earner in the family. Children owe their parents help, even support. Understand?

Yes, parents, Ethel replied, taking another step back. But ours, not yours.

Marthas face twisted. She leaned in, her voice rising.

Im your husbands mother, have you forgotten? Were family! Youre obliged to help us!

Im under no obligation to anyone but my own family, Ethel said, fists clenched. I have plans for that money, and a family of my own. Besides, if the loan was that large, it shouldnt have been taken in the first place.

Martha! Do you hear what shes saying? Tell your wife to be sensible!

Victor stepped toward his mother, his expression hardening.

Enough, Mother. If you need money, ask me, not Ethel. She owes you nothing.

Martha opened her mouth, but Victor stopped her.

Im taking you out. This conversation is over.

He grasped her elbow and led her toward the door. Ethel stood in the livingroom, listening as it shut. After a minute Victor returned. She lifted the bags off the floor and turned to him.

Shall we celebrate?

Victor smiled, tired yet sincere, and pulled her into a hug.

Congratulations on your first big salary. Youre brilliant.

Ethel rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes. A calm settled over her. She was now certain Martha would not return for more money. In that moment she realised that, for her, there was no brighter future awaiting her in that household. Victor stood by her side, and that was what mattered. Everything else faded into insignificance.