The Door Remains Locked

The door remained shut.

“Mum, open the door! Mum, please!” His fists pounded against the metal surface so hard it sounded like the hinges might burst. “I know you’re home! The car’s not in the drive, so you havent gone out!”

Margaret Elizabeth stood with her back to the door, clutching a cold cup of tea. Her hands trembled so much the porcelain rattled against the saucer.

“Mum, whats going on?” James voice grew more desperate. “The neighbours say you havent let anyone in for a week! Not even Emily!”

At the mention of her daughter-in-law, Margaret Elizabeths lips twisted slightly. Emily. His precious Emily, for whom hed do anything. Even what happened last Thursday.

“Mum, Ill call a locksmith!” James threatened. “Ill break the lock!”

“Dont you dare!” Margaret Elizabeth finally shouted, still not turning around. “Dont you dare touch it!”

“Mum, but why? Whats happened? Talk to me!”

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her thoughts. How could she explain to her son what shed overheard? How could she tell him what shed stumbled upon in the hospital corridor?

“Mum, please” James voice softened, pleading. “Im worried about you. Emilys worried too.”

Emilys worried. Of course. Probably terrified her plans were falling apart.

“Go away, James. Leave and dont come back.”

“Mum, are you ill? Do you have a fever? Should I call a doctor?”

“I dont need a doctor. I need you to leave me alone.”

Margaret Elizabeth rose and walked to the window. Outside, James was on the phone. Probably telling Emily his mother was being difficult again.

Her son looked up and saw her. He gestured that he was coming up. She stepped back and sank into her armchair.

A minute later, the knocking resumed.

“Mum, its me and Emily. Please open up.”

Margaret Elizabeth clenched her jaw. So hed brought her. His wife, whod been so carefully plotting their future.

“Margaret Elizabeth,” came Emilys gentle voice, “its me. Please open the door. James is beside himself.”

What a fantastic actress. She knew just how to change her tone when it suited her.

“Weve brought you food,” Emily continued. “Milk, bread, walnut cakejust how you like it.”

Walnut cake. Margaret Elizabeth smiled bitterly. A month ago, Emily had said she adored it, and ever since, shed brought it round. What a devoted daughter-in-law.

“Margaret Elizabeth, at least say something,” Emilys voice sounded concerned. “Were worried sick.”

“Worried sick,” Margaret Elizabeth repeated, but so quietly they didnt hear.

“Mum, Im not leaving until you open up!” James declared. “Ill stay here all night if I have to!”

She knew he meant it. Hed always been stubborn, even as a boy. Once he dug his heels in, there was no shifting him.

“Fine,” she said at last. “But only you. Alone.”

“What?” James didnt understand.

“Emily goes home. Ill only talk to you.”

She heard their hushed whispers in the hallway.

“Mum, but why? Emilys worried too.”

“Because I said so. Either you come in alone, or neither of you do.”

More whispering, then Emilys voice:

“Alright, Margaret Elizabeth. Ill go. James, ring me when you know whats wrong.”

She waited until the footsteps faded down the stairs, then slowly approached the door and turned the key.

James barged in like a storm, hugging her tight before pulling back to study her face.

“Mum, youve lost weight! Youre pale! Whats happened? Are you ill?”

“I havent been ill,” she freed herself and walked to the kitchen. “Fancy a cuppa?”

“Yes,” he sat at the table, watching her closely. “Tell me whats going on. Why have you locked yourself away for a week?”

Margaret Elizabeth set the kettle on the hob and turned to him.

“Why open the door? What good would it do?”

“Mum, whats that supposed to mean? You cant stay shut in forever. Youve got shopping to do, doctors appointments”

“Mrs. Jenkins next door does my errands. I leave her a list and the money. And Im not going back to the doctor.”

“Why not?”

She poured boiling water into the cups, adding sugar.

“Because last time I was there, I heard things I wish I hadnt.”

James frowned.

“What did you hear?”

“Your wife. On the phone with a friend. She didnt know I was there.”

“What was she saying?”

She sat across from him, staring deep into his eyeshis fathers eyes, kind and honest. Could this man really be capable of such a thing?

“She was talking about selling my flat. Putting me in a care home. Spending the money.”

James went pale.

“Mum, you mustve misunderstood. Emily would never”

“I heard every word,” she cut him off. “Clear as day. And she said: James is already on board. He says his mum cant live alone anymore, its not safe at her age. Well put her in a nice home, sell the flat. The money will cover the deposit.”

“Mum, I never”

“Let me finish!” Her voice rose. “And then she said: Thank God his mothers soft, suspects nothing. Thinks we love her. But shes just in the way.”

James hung his head. His fists clenched.

“Mum, I swear, I never agreed to this. Emilys got a wild imagination.”

“Imagination?” She laughed bitterly. “Then why go into such detail? About the home, the money”

Her voice broke. James reached for her hand, but she pulled away.

“I raised you alone after your father died. Worked two jobs so youd never want for anything. And this is my reward?”

James eyes glistened.

“Mum, Id never betray you like that. Ill talk to Emily. If shes serious, then”

“Then what?”

He swallowed hard.

“Then shes not the woman I thought she was.”

Margaret Elizabeth studied him. Was he telling the truth? Or just saying what she wanted to hear?

“Leave the keys,” she said quietly. “And go.”

He hesitated, then placed them on the table.

“Mum”

“Go.”

With a heavy sigh, he stood and walked out. The door clicked shut behind him.

Margaret Elizabeth sat in silence, staring at her untouched tea. Outside, the engine of James car roared to life, then faded into the distance.

And so, with a heavy heart but quiet resolve, Margaret Elizabeth carried on with her evening alone, knowing thatwhatever her son decidedshed keep her dignity and her home until the very end.