Are you seriously suggesting I run two miles with a baby just to buy bread? Honestly, I’m starting to wonder if you really need me and Varya at all!

And you expect me to run two miles with a newborn just to buy a loaf? Honestly, Im not even sure if were needed at all, you and little Poppy.

When Victoria came home from the hospital with her baby, Kurt, her parents and inlaws were already there. We all crowded around the kitchen table for a bite, but it didnt last long an hour later the guests had gone, leaving us, the new parents, and our little one on our own.

Kurt, as usual, flopped onto the sofa and turned the telly on, while Victoria tackled the kitchen, which her husband had somehow transformed into a disaster zone during his fourday solo stint.

After feeding the baby, Victoria tried to crash on the cot in the nursery the day had been hectic enough. She barely closed her eyes when someone started banging on the front door. When she opened it, she saw the crowd Kurt had already invited in.

It was Janine Kurts older sister her husband, and two of Janines friends, whom Victoria barely knew.

Bro, were here to celebrate you! I remember you as a little tyke, and now look youre a dad! Janine shouted, dragging the rest of the gang to hug and kiss Kurt.

Janine, quiet please, Poppy just fell asleep, Victoria whispered.

Come off it! Babies this small dont hear a thing. Just set the table weve brought a cake and some sparkling drinks, Janine replied.

Victoria laid out the leftovers from the family dinner.

Looks a bit thin, Janines mother snorted.

Sorry, we werent expecting guests. I just got back from the hospital, so any complaints go to Kurt hes been running the house without me, Victoria said.

Ladies, no need to argue. Ive ordered three pizzas, so no one will go hungry, Kurt announced.

The visitors lingered until about nine oclock, when Victoria finally said she needed to bathe Poppy and get her to bed.

As they left, Kurt snapped at his wife:

You could’ve been a bit nicer. They came to wish us well and you spent the whole time running around the baby, then practically chased everyone out.

What was I supposed to do? Its my first day back after the maternity ward Im not in the mood for a party. At least they could have brought a cheap rattle for the baby, she retorted.

And remember, from now on the babys the boss in this house. Poppy needs a routine, so Im asking you not to invite any more guests for the next three months.

If you want to see the lads, do it somewhere else, please, Victoria replied.

A month passed. Kurt kept at his job, while Victoria stayed home with Poppy. The little girl was calm, and Victoria managed the house, cooking simple meals Kurt didnt mind. Life was ordinary.

Then a new problem popped up, courtesy of Kurts mother, Lydia Anderson. She decided the solution lay with her daughterinlaw.

Lydias eightyyearold mother, Catherine Brown, lived in a tiny village about a hundred miles from London. Grandmother Kate, as the family called her, lived in a modest cottage with a well, a wood shed, and a garden that she tended on her own. The plot was about ten acres, which Kate worked herself, while her daughter and grandchildren only helped plant and dig potatoes the same spuds they ate all winter.

That winter, Kate fell ill with a bad cold and could no longer manage the garden. Lydia insisted Victoria spend the whole summer helping her.

At the moment I cant bring Mum into the city the gardens full. Wholl look after her? Ill only be home on weekends, and wholl haul water from the well during the week? Lydia complained.

The wells just a few hundred metres away, but its a heavy bucket for Mum to carry. She can only haul half a bucket at a time. And we need plenty of water for the house and the irrigation. She spends half the day shuttling back and forth, Victoria replied, baffled.

You expect me to become a water carrier? she asked.

You could use the cart. It holds two fortylitre drums, and you could push that instead of the bucket. Mum cant manage it, but you can. The garden work isnt hard either, Lydia suggested.

No thanks, Lydia. We buy all our veg and potatoes from the supermarket. Let the people who harvest the crops do the digging, Victoria shot back.

Send Janine then. She doesnt work either, Lydia offered.

Janine has two kids! Victoria retorted.

And you think I have none? Lydia snapped.

Dont compare. Janines kids are five and three they need constant care. And if we take Artem from nursery all summer, hell need supervision too. What about Poppy? Shell just sit in the pram while I run errands, Lydia said.

You know I have to take Poppy to the GP every month for checkups and vaccinations, Victoria reminded her.

We could skip the appointments. Shes healthy, and the clinic just adds risk of catching something, Lydia argued.

Fine, youll go. No one else. My mother raised all three of my children; I never stayed on maternity leave for long, Victoria said.

Two months later, Janines mother handed over Vicky and Kurts children, Vita and Tom, at four years old. Now Kate was frail, and it was time to return the favour.

I respect Catherine, she helped you a lot. But I owe her nothing personally. You, Janine, Vita and Tom are the ones in debt to her, and I wont be paying anyone elses bills, Victoria declared.

On a Friday morning, Kurt reminded his wife:

Did you pack? Were heading to the village tomorrow.

I told your mum and Im saying it again: Im not going to any village, let alone take Poppy there. What if she gets sick? Do you expect me to walk a hundred miles to the town? Victoria snapped.

The village youre talking about doesnt even get a bus service. Theres no shop the nearest one is in the next village.

And you expect me to run two miles with a baby just to buy bread? I still dont know if were even useful to you, she added.

When your mum suggested I lug fortylitre drums, you stayed quiet. So you agreed? How am I supposed to lift that when I weigh fiftyseven kilos? Kurt protested.

You could just leave the drums halffilled, Kurt suggested. Enough arguing. If Mum said youll go, then youll go. No one else. Dad will be here by ten tomorrow to drive you back. Pack today.

When Kurt left for work, Victoria started gathering her things, but first she phoned her parents.

Her mother, a former paediatric nurse, couldnt believe Lydia wanted to lock her newborn granddaughter in the village.

By the time shes a year old we need to monitor her development. Threemonth checkups, yearly ones you cant just abandon her, her mum exclaimed.

Her dad quietly loaded the suitcases into the car. Victoria and Poppy drove to her parents house.

When Kurt came home from work and found the house empty, he knew straight away where theyd gone. He rang Victoria a few times that evening, but she didnt answer. He eventually showed up at her parents place, only to realise Victoria hadnt grasped the seriousness of the situation.

Youre being sent off to work in the mines? To the countryside? All because of a foolish idea? he asked.

Yes, I created this mess for myself. Two years ago, when we got married, I fell for you because you were tall, broadshouldered and kind. I didnt see that behind the charm was a mamas boy, she said, eyes down.

Will you ever come home again? Kurt asked.

I wont. Home is where you feel safe, loved and protected. Thats not what I got from you. Live with your mum instead, she replied.

Six months later she managed to get a divorce from Kurt.