She Divorced Her Husband, and Now Her Mother-in-Law Wants Money for His Support

Emily and I tied the knot just a little over ten years ago. We were both in our midthirties: my husband was a director at a big multinational firm in London, and I ran a cosy dayspa in the same neighbourhood. We had two children, I went on maternity leave and then stopped working altogether. Money wasnt a problem James pulled in a decent salary.

James was a careerdriven sort, often away on business and spending his spare moments with his mother, Margaret. Margaret, a retired stage actress, could put on a convincing act of illness or a dramatic fit whenever she fancied it, just to keep her sons attention glued to her.

One family gathering, Margaret leaned over and said, James belongs to me; it doesnt matter that youre his wife. To him the family is me! You should understand, youre a mother yourself. No matter what, you must always be there for your husband! Ive never forgotten those words. The next morning I asked James to explain. He tried to brush his mothers behaviour off as a poortimed joke.

But all good things eventually run out of steam. Last year James was made redundant and turned to the bottle to drown his gloom. I dusted off my scissors and went back to the dayspa.

I still hoped that James would see the light and become his old self again. Unfortunately, things only went downhill. I filed for divorce and James moved in with my own mother.

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders one less mouth to feed. A month later, however, Margaret rang me up: Did you forget what I always told you? You must always help your spouse! My pension isnt enough, so I expect you to send me a monthly £200 to support James! I hadnt expected such cheek. I told her Id apply for childsupport, pointing out that its the fathers duty to provide for the kids.

She shot back that I was the one whod driven her son into this mess.

Her words left me feeling uneasy, and I hung up. Strangely enough, I still love my exhusband, even if I have no idea how to share a roof with him any more.