Daughter-in-Law Endured Her Mother-in-Law—Here’s Where It Led: How Sarah’s Patience with Mrs. Thomps…

Twins?! Jane blurted out.

She did her best to hide her dismay, but she wasnt very good at it. Emily knew perfectly well that expecting even a shred of sincerity from her mother-in-law was hopeless. Jane had never liked Emily, always thinking her an unsuitable match for her son. Strangely enough, most people thought Tom was a bit too simple for a woman like Emily.

Emily was sweet and well-educated; by twenty-three, shed finished university with a degree in economics and landed a decent job in a chain of private medical clinics. Yes, she hailed from a small town, but her father managed the main local factory, and her mother taught at the local university. Nobody could say Emily wasnt well-bred or cultured. Still, Jane stubbornly dismissed her as a nobody.

Well, congratulations then! Such happiness! A double bundle of joy! Jane muttered.

Not that she planned on sharing in this joy. Emilys pregnancy was far from smooth; early on, the doctors warned about the risk of miscarriage, which soon turned into the threat of premature labour. Emily was constantly in hospital, spending weeks at a time on bed rest. Tom visited her almost daily. Jane lived two stops away by busand never visited once.

Jane didnt bother coming to meet her new granddaughters at the hospital either. No matter how much Tom pleaded, she stayed away for the first forty days.

Its not the done thing! What if I bring an infection? No! When theyre stronger, then theyll meet their granny.

When the babies were three months old, Emily bumped into her mother-in-law by the supermarket. Jane forced a smile and muttered through clenched teeth,

So how are you all, girls?

Emily smiled back, genuinely.

Just out for a stroll! The pram is enormous, but what can you do? Babies need fresh air!

Jane nodded and made to leave, but just then, an old friend of hers rounded the corner, waving enthusiastically.

Janie! Hello! My goodness, are these your granddaughters?

Yes, Gill! My pride and joy!

Emily remembered Mrs. Gillian Parker. She greeted her shyly.

Two at once! Emily, how on earth did you manage? Youre so tiny!

Emilys a real heroine! Jane replied, putting on a facade.

Emily stared at her mother-in-law in shock. Mere moments ago, Jane was desperate to escape; now she wore the mask of the doting grandma.

Mrs. Parker and Jane continued to chatter, phrases drifting over about twins being a blessing, how Emily was coping admirably, how Jane was such a help Emily heard so many things about her own life that she was left speechless. Eventually, Mrs. Parker remembered her errands.

Ill dash off, must be at the bank before they close! Look after yourselves, girls!

Jane waited till her friend was out of sight, her blissful smile dropping away. She bade Emily a curt farewell and hurried off.

That evening, Emily recounted the story to Tom. He just shrugged.

Em, thats my mum for you. What do you expect? She never did much for us either, just loved to tell stories. Shed claim to stay up late helping me with homeworktruth is, shed be glued to the telly while I fended for myself. Shed go on about taking my sister Claire for three-hour walks, but really, shed be fixing her hair and makeup while I entertained the little one. Dont think about it. Please.

Emily had heard the tales a thousand times but still had trouble believing it when she found herself caught in these little dramas.

***

Years went by, but Janes attitude toward her children and grandchildren never changed. Then one day misfortune struck. Getting out of a minicab, Jane tripped and broke her leg. Thats when she hatched an idea.

Ill come and stay with you! she announced to Emily and Tom.

They exchanged uneasy glances, well aware of how this would end. But neither could bring themselves to say no.

From that moment, their home turned upside down. Jane took over their bedroom while Tom and Emily squashed into the girls room. Jane quickly became their third childmeals had to be prepared for her, the house cleaned up after her, she needed help bathing, and endless little errands fetched from the shops.

By now the twins were two and a half. Emily was keen to return to work, at least part-time, so the girls were enrolled at nursery. Every morning Tom and Emily would wrestle their wailing daughters out of warm beds, trying to hustle them into the wider world.

One morning, just as they were about to leave, Toms phone rang.

Mum? Why are you calling? Youre in the other room!

I cant get up, my legs broken

Mum, youve got your crutch

Hush, Tom! I dont need to get up to say what I have to say!

Alright, Im listening go on, then

This morning hullabaloo of yours simply wont do. I cant get a wink! Doors slamming, running about, and your kids never stop shrieking!

Tom went bright red. He stormed up to her bedroom, flung open the door and shouted,

If sleeps so precious, why dont we just leave you with the kids, then!?

Jane fell silent, horrified. She left her sons flat soon after, barely waiting for her cast to come off. Tom was relieved; Emily, oddly, felt guilty. She never liked seeing her husband argue with his motherbut what choice did they have?

***

Most Fridays, Emily worked half a day. Shed collect the girls at lunchtime, theyd pop into a shop for a treat, then cosied up on the rug to watch a film together. This Friday was no differentuntil the doorbell rang.

Emily opened the door to find Jane, holding the hand of little Harryher daughter Claires son.

Jane, is something wrong?

Claires left him with me until evening, but Ive got urgent errands! Can you mind him for an hour and a half, please?

Emily hesitated. Harry was half a year younger than the twins and a quiet lad, so she crouched down and smiled at him.

Harry, will you stay with me for a bit?

He nodded shyly. As Emily looked up, Jane was already heading for the lift.

When shall we expect you back?

Two hours at most!

She didnt even bother saying goodbye to her daughter-in-law or grandson.

***

Tom arrived home at seven. Spotting his nephew at the kitchen table polishing off fish fingers, he was taken aback.

Alright, mate! Whats going on? Here for a visit? Wheres Claire?

The boy smiled at his uncle. Emily sighed heavily. She hated being the one to stir up more friction in the family, but how could she keep quiet?

Your mum dropped him off for a couple of hours. She went off on her errands

And when did this couple of hours start?

Nearly five hours ago

Emily looked at Tom nervously.

So! Where the devil is Claire?

Emily swallowed.

I havent called her. Didnt want to drop Jane in it, since Claire left the boy with her.

Toms face flushed.

Emily, youre far too nice But this is absurd! Did Mum even say where she was going?

Emily shook her head. Tom grabbed his phone and dialed his sister, explaining that Harry was with them. Claire promised to get there as soon as she could.

***

By half eight, the children were playing in their room, while Emily, Tom, and Claire sat in the kitchen.

Are we seriously waiting for her? These kids should be in bed.

Leave bedtime for now, Em. We need to sort out Mum.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Emily opened the door.

Right, Ill take Harry now! Jane declared breezily.

Emily swallowed nervously. Tom and Claire came up behind her.

Mum, dont you feel the slightest bit guilty?

Is this any way to talk to me?

Mum! Enough with the theatrics! I left Harry with you! YOU! Not Emily What do you think youre doing?

Jane laughed.

Oh, what difference does it make, Claire? Shes managing two perfectly well. Ive got things to do!

Tom stepped in.

Mum! What things exactly? Its downright rude, palming him off like that! Did you even ask her?

Goodness, whats there to ask?

Tom asked again:

Where on earth were you, anyway?

Claire gave a little laugh.

First off, I suppose our mum hit the hairdressers, because this morning her hair was longer. Then must have gone for her nailsthe polish is pink now, not red as it was!

Jane looked flustered, unable to find an answer.

Dont you have any shame at all? Tom repeated.

She stared at them in silence.

The one time anyone asks you for help, you dump your grandchild on my wife? Maybe shed like some time for herself toomaybe a trip to the salon?

Jane went crimson, huffed, and tried to reassert herself.

Really, Tom! What does she need with hair and nails? Shes a country nobody from the back of beyond! Always was and always will be!

A frozen silence followed for a moment, then an explosive,

Out!

Tom grabbed his mother by the arm and showed her the door in one swift motion, then slammed it shut with a deep breath. Lifting his head, he saw tears streaming down Emilys cheeks. He and Claire rushed to comfort her.

Emily felt wounded and humiliated, but she also saw how Jane barely cared for her own children, let alone her grandchildren. That was no comfort exactly, but at least it proved the problem wasnt Emily.

From that moment, contact with Jane dwindled away. Tom and Claire would occasionally lend a hand if needed, but Jane never involved herself in the lives of their families. She sulked for a long while but, wishing to keep up appearances, eventually made peace. Even then, though, she hardly ever saw her grandchildren.

Once, scrolling through her messages, Emily noticed Janes status filled with photos of all three grandchildren and a caption: Happy Grandmothers Day to all of us whove raised our grandkids! Emily grimaced wryly; that night, Tom and Claire roasted their mother with jokes. Emily felt it wrong to laugh, but couldnt help herself.