The Swallow’s Nest

The Swallows Nest

When William Harper married Eleanor, his mother got on with her daughterinlaw straight away. Shed had her eye on Eleanor long before, back when William was still a schoolboy and used to dash off to ballroom classes with her.

William, love, youre staring at yourself in the mirror like a lovesick schoolgirl, his mother chuckled. Show us the bride already, will you?

Love you, Mum. You notice everything, you know everything. Just give me a minute and Ill fetch you both, he said with a grin, slipping away.

At dinner, I wish our son had a girl like Eleanor, his wife, Margaret, told him.

Which Eleanor?

The one Arthurs granddaughter grew up with. You know her not a pampered lass, polite and cheerful, and a proper beauty.

Mrs. Harper was desperate to find out what sort of girl her son had chosen. When William arrived with Eleanor for tea, his mother sat down, eyes wide.

Did you read my thoughts, dear? Ive been hoping to see you bring home Eleanor for ages. Look at you two, grinning like schoolchildren, she cooed, while the newlyweds exchanged amused glances.

The wedding was a modest village affair not the sort of cashsplashed ceremony you see in the town. The important thing was that the young couple were married for love. Eleanor was not one to rush, but she was determined and always did things with a proper sense of care.

Mrs. Harpers Eleanor is like a swallow gentle and caring, Williams mother gushed to a neighbour. What a fine housewife shell be.

Soon after, their son Mason was born. Both grandparents adored him, but Mason arrived a bit premature and frail. Gradually he grew stronger and settled into a calm childhood.

Years passed. Williams parents died, and two years later William himself passed away, suddenly, while hauling hay onto the roof on a scorching summer day his heart simply gave out. Eleanor was devastated, but what could she do?

Left alone with Mason, Eleanor carried on. Mason grew up in a quiet, unhurried life. Every task they tackled was planned, discussed, measured, and then done at their own pace. Like most country folk, they kept a cow, a horse, a pig and a few chickens, and tended the fields. Unlike many neighbours, there was never a shout or a hiss between mother and son.

If a sudden downpour ruined the hay theyd just stacked, Eleanor would say, Dont worry, lad, the summers long enough to dry it out. Nearby households were constantly bickering over such mishaps, often nearly coming to blows.

Eleanor prided herself on a tidy home polished floors, starched curtains, everything in its place. She liked to cook, not in huge quantities, but enough variety to keep Mason satisfied. Shed always ask what hed like for the next days meal.

Neighbour Anne would pop in now and then, eyes widening at the spread.

Eleanor, you live just the two of you and still manage a feast?

Come on in, sit down, Eleanor would say. Mason may be small, but hes got an appetite.

Honestly, youve got a lad whos not the strongest, but hes a good-looking chap look at him, makes my skin tingle, Anne laughed. Any girl would be lucky to have a steady, decent husband like you.

Time went on, and the village came to respect Eleanor and Mason, seeing them as sensible, clean, friendly and never jealous. When Mason grew up he chose his own wife. Usually a short lad prefers a taller lass, and thats exactly what happened.

He fell for Poppy, a lanky, strong girl who towered over him by a head. She wasnt a classic beauty, but she was fiery, quickwitted, always ready for a scrap or a joke, and admittedly a bit sharptongued.

What on earth made Poppy attractive to my Mason? Eleanor mused. Theyre so different. You cant change a man, nor can you calm a fire.

She resigned herself to the situation. Theyd share a roof, and shed try to tolerate it. If her son was happy, she could be content. Mason liked Poppys vivacity, even though she talked a lot and he was a man of few words.

Dont worry, Mum, the kids will grow up fine. Ill keep teaching them, keep them on the straight and narrow, he told her, and she just smiled.

The wedding was quiet no rowdy fights, just a modest celebration. Many villagers, having had a few pints, ended up napping in the garden, on benches or even on the porch, and by morning they were all scattered.

The next day Eleanor was clearing tables when Poppy, still in her wedding dress, joined in, grumbling, We didnt need this wedding we couldve just signed the papers and been done.

Just go back to bed, Poppy, if youre still sleepy. Ill finish up, Eleanor replied.

Sure, as long as no gossip spreads that Im a lazy daughterinlaw who never helps, Poppy snapped.

Dont worry about gossip; everyones still snoring, the motherinlaw muttered softly.

Just you wait, Ill make sure the whole village knows what a proper motherinlaw looks like, Poppy muttered, casting a sour glance. I know the type.

Eleanor kept her tongue shut; there was no point arguing. From day one Poppy showed her temperament. After the wedding, she immediately started noting how Mason treated his mother, often fussing over his health and plans, giving a quick hug or a kiss on the cheek, always thanking her for the meals. Shed sigh, Whats this, a bit of husbandly affection? Ive never seen a mother and son act like this.

When she went shopping, shed brag to the other ladies about how Mason adored his mum and never said a harsh word.

Grandfather Arthur, ever the observer, shook his head and said, Ah, pity for Eleanor they let a magpie into a swallows nest.

Villagers felt sorry for Eleanor, but she never spoke ill of Poppy, even though many knew the daughterinlaw could be quarrelsome and spiteful, even avoiding her own mother.

Eleanor knew deep down that Masons marriage to Poppy wasnt the best match, but she never raised the issue with her son. Poppy, from the start, set her own rules, slopping leftovers on the floor after work, generally being a bit sharptongued and jealous. Eleanor stayed out of the fray, refusing to fuel the gossip.

After dinner, Mason would sometimes ask, Shall we try a new recipe tomorrow?

Poppy, never one for niceties, would snap, Whatever we cook, well eat. Its not like were dining with royalty.

Shed rush through tasks, leaving a dirty milk bucket or a lumpy soup. Eleanor, however, would carefully clean the bucket, wipe the cows udder, and only then begin milking. She kept quiet, though she noticed Masons lingering looks at her dishes, clearly preferring her cooking.

Mason and Poppy never truly argued, but Eleanor saw the strain on her sons life. She tried gently nudging them toward a better understanding, but discovered that in their household, a little harshness was considered normal.

A year later Poppy gave birth to a boy, Tommy. He cried a lot at night, and Poppys milk ran out quickly, leaving him hungry. Unwilling to listen to Eleanors suggestions, Poppy refused extra feeds.

Eleanor quietly began supplementing the baby herself. Tommy soon gained weight and slept soundly. When Poppy caught her, she shouted, Youve almost ruined my own son, feeding yours! Do you want my baby to turn out the same?

Eleanor said nothing, just kept feeding. Tommy thrived, grew tall, started school, and developed a sweet bond with his grandmother. He was a calm, thoughtful lad, nurtured by Eleanors gentle ways.

Tommys father, Mason, also shared tender moments with his son, hugging and kissing him. Poppy, however, would mutter, Hes a proper lad, not a lad for a lady, flinging a temperamental look at anyone who praised him.

The family never argued loudly; Mason simply shrugged. Eleanor treated Poppy with kindness, even as Poppy muttered behind her back. Neighbours would marvel at how Mason managed to keep his cool with such a fiery wife.

Tommy excelled at school, often sitting beside Eleanor as he did his homework. Though she didnt understand every lesson, shed nod approvingly when he solved a problem. As he grew older, he noticed how his mother treated his grandmother harshly and it bothered him.

Hed often ask, Mother, could you make something a bit nicer? The meals are a bit blunt.

Dont be a picky one, like your father, Poppy would snap, Eat what I make, not some royal banquet.

Tommy saw his grandmother waiting at the gate with a steaming mug of milk and a slice of cake, and he cherished those moments. Later he confessed that hed fallen for Taya, a pretty girl from the next lane, and they were planning to study together at college.

Grandma, I think Im in love with Taya, he whispered.

Ah, dear, thatll do. Ill pray for you both, Eleanor replied, her eyes twinkling.

College life meant Tommy missed Eleanors warm pies and milk, but at holidays hed return, exhausted from exams, and shed hug him, voice trembling, Youll be back after your degree, wont you?

He kissed her cheek and promised, Ill come home, get a proper job, marry Taya, and well build a new house together. Well take you in, too. Youll never be alone.

Eleanor believed him. With Tommy and Taya, she knew her years of quiet devotion would finally bear fruit, and the nest shed tended would be filled with love once more.