Daughter-in-Law Endured Her Mother-in-Law—Here’s Where It Led — “Twins?!” blurted out Irene Middlet…

The Daughter-in-Law Endured Her Mother-in-Law: What Came of It

Twins?! exclaimed Margaret.

Margaret did her best to conceal her disapproval, but it was a pitifully thin facade. Alice knew there was little chance of ever receiving any genuine warmth from her mother-in-law there never had been. Margaret had never liked Alice, never once thought her a suitable wife for her son. In fact, most people remarked it was Edward who was the simpler sort, whilst Alice, refined and intelligent, held a good position at just three-and-twenty, working in the accounts department of a private clinic chain. It was true, she came from a small town, but her father managed the local factory and her mother lectured at the university. There was nothing in Alice of the uneducated or uncouth. But Margaret would have none of it; she thought Alice a country mouse, not fit for her son.

Well, congratulations! Such joy! Double joy! Margaret muttered, not meaning a word.

But Margaret had no intention of partaking in this so-called joy. Alices pregnancy was difficult, threatened with miscarriage at first, then with premature birth. She spent much of those months in hospital, on bedrest, while Edward visited almost daily. But his mother, living just two stops away on the bus, never visited, not once.

When the baby girls finally arrived, Margaret did not come to the hospital, nor did she answer Edwards calls inviting her to meet the twins in the first month and a half.

Its not proper! Suppose I bring some infection? Ill wait until theyre stronger, then Granny can come, she declared.

The girls were three months old when Alice bumped into Margaret outside the grocers. Margarets smile was all teeth as she grimly inquired, How are you girls?

Alice returned a genuine smile. Just out for a walk. The prams a bit of a beast with two, but what can you do? The little ones need their fresh air.

Margaret nodded curtly, ready to slip away, but then her old friend Helen rounded the corner, waving.

Margaret! Hello, dear! Good heavens, are these your granddaughters?

Yes, Helen my treasures! Margaret replied, as if proudest grandmother in all Surrey.

Alice remembered Helen vaguely and greeted her quietly.

Two at once! Alice, how ever did you manage? Youre so slight!

Our brave Alice! Margaret sang, as if she herself had nursed both babes.

Alice stared at her mother-in-law, in disbelief at the sudden transformation. Only moments ago Margaret had been itching to escape, now she wore the mask of a doting grandmother.

Margaret and Helen nattered on, snippets about the twins being a blessing, Alice coping admirably, Margaret lending a hand all sorts of new fictions about Alices life. At last, Helen remembered her errands.

I must dash! Off to the bank! Take care, darlings! she called, bustling away.

Margaret waited mere seconds after Helen had turned the corner before letting her smile drop. With a cold Goodbye, she strode off.

That evening, Alice related the story to Edward. He sighed and shrugged.

Thats my mother for you, Alice. Always was the same with us loved to spin a tale about helping, but in truth, shed leave me to my homework alone, parked in front of the telly while she watched her dramas. Shed boast to everyone how she took my sister Claire for three-hour walks, for the childs health, but really, she was getting her hair done while I minded Claire. Dont take it to heart.

Alice had heard it all before but never ceased to be astonished when she found herself part of the story.

***

The years rolled on, and Margarets attitude never softened towards her grandchildren nor her children, for that matter. Then misfortune struck. One day, climbing out of a black cab, Margaret twisted her ankle and broke her leg.

Ill stay with you for a bit, she announced to Alice and Edward, as if it were an honour.

Alice and Edward shared a look, both knowing how this would end, but neither could bring themselves to refuse.

There began several months of bedlam. Alice and Edward were forced to move into the childrens room; Margaret made the master bedroom her sickroom. She became a third child, only more demanding: she needed meals, laundry, help with bathing, errands run, and endless supplies fetched from the shops.

The twins were nearly three. Alice tried to return to work part-time, sending the girls to nursery. Each morning was a battle the twins protesting bitterly at being dragged from their warm beds into an uncaring world.

One morning, just as the family prepared for the day, Edwards mobile rang.

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

I cant get up. I have a broken leg

Mum, youve got your crutch.

Dont talk back, Edward! What I have to say doesn’t require me to stand! I simply cannot abide this morning racket any longer. You all stomp about, slam doors. And your girls never stop hollering! I cant sleep a wink!

Edward turned crimson. He marched to the bedroom door, flung it wide and shouted, If you want peace and quiet so much, why dont we just leave the girls with you, then? How about it?!

Margaret fell silent, horrified. Not long after, she departed the madhouse, not bothering to wait for her plaster to come off. Edward was not a bit sorry, while Alice, for reasons she could hardly explain, felt pangs of guilt. It wasnt that she wanted discord in the family, but what else could she do?

***

Most Fridays Alice worked only the morning. Shed pick the girls up at midday; theyd wend their way home, buy some sweet treats, and settle in for a cartoon film. This Friday was no different. Theyd made a nest of cushions, the film had just begun, when the doorbell rang.

Alice answered it to find Margaret on the step, clutching Peter, her daughters boy, by the hand.

Margaret anything wrong?

Claires left Peter with me, just for the evening. But Ive urgent business. Would you mind keeping an eye on him for an hour and a half? Please? Margaret didnt wait for assent; she was already pressing the childs hand into Alices and hustling towards the lift.

Margaret, when should we expect you back? called Alice.

Not more than two hours! came the reply, already half way down the corridor.

Edward returned home at seven to find his nephew seated at their kitchen table, wolfing down fishcakes.

Hello, lad! Come to see your uncle? Wheres Claire?

The boy smiled shyly at his uncle, while Alice gave a weary sigh. Shed spent the afternoon feeling once again at the heart of family strife, but truth must out.

Your mother brought him over for an hour or two. That was nearly five hours ago.

Edward frowned. Wheres Claire?

Alice hesitated. I havent messaged her. I didnt want to get Margaret in trouble Claire trusted her with her son.

Edwards cheeks flushed. Alice, youre too nice. But this is not right! Did my mother not even say where she was going?

Alice shook her head. Edward rang his sister and explained Peter was with them. Claire promised to come at once.

***

Half past eight. The children played while Alice, Edward, and Claire sat round the kitchen table.

Shall we really wait for her? sighed Alice. The girls need to be in bed by now

One late night wont do them harm. But Mum needs to answer for this, Edward insisted.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Alice opened the door.

Righto, lets have Peter! Margaret breezed in, businesslike.

Alice swallowed, and from behind her Claire and Edward emerged.

Mum, do you even hear yourself?

How dare you speak to your mother like that?

Stop switching the subject, Mum! You meant to look after Peter, not foist him on Alice. What are you playing at?

Margaret gave a dismissive laugh. Honestly, Claire! What does it matter? Alice has two girls of her own, she manages just fine. I had errands.

Edward stepped forward. What errands, Mum? This is outrageous, treating Alice like shes your housemaid! Did you even ask her?

Oh, for goodness sake, what is there to ask?

Edward asked again. Where were you, Mum?

This time, Claire let out a brittle laugh. Well, for starters, Mums hairs freshly cut this morning it was longer. And her nails the polish was red earlier, pink now. Id wager she was at the salon after the hairdressers.

Margaret flushed, at a loss for words.

Arent you ashamed? Edward demanded. We ask for help once in a blue moon, and you push your grandson onto my wife? What if she wants to get her nails done, or pop to the hairdresser too?

Margaret went crimson and puffed herself up. Not a drop of embarrassment left in her just a burning desire to put her son, her daughter, and her daughter-in-law all in their places.

Oh, Edward! Haircuts? Nails? For her? Shes a plain little thing from the back of beyond always was, always will be.

A seconds stunned silence. Then a thunderous voice:

Get out! came Edwards roar.

He marched his mother to the door, shut it firmly behind her, then let out a shuddering breath. Looking up, he saw tears coursing down Alices cheeks. He and Claire rushed to comfort her.

Alice was hurt bitterly so. But at the same time, she saw that Margaret valued none of her own family, children or grandchildren alike. If Margaret could be so cold to her own, then Alice realised the fault wasnt in herself. Shed always aimed to be good, but for someone like Margaret, goodness was never enough.

From then on, contact with Margaret all but ceased. Edward and Claire would help their mother on occasion, but Margaret took no real part in family life. For a long time, she bore a grudge over her sons actions. In time, her longing to be around the children made her seek peace, though, truth be told, she never truly helped with her grandchildren.

Once, scrolling through messages, Alice noticed Margarets status: a photo of all three grandchildren, captioned, Happy Grandmothers Day to all who have raised their little ones! Alice gave a wry smile, and in the evening, Edward and Claire laughed to scorn at their mothers post. Alice felt a twinge of guilt laughing, but how could she not?