The Doorbell Rang… And In Stormed the Mother-in-Law: “Well, My Dear Daughter-in-Law, What Secrets Ar…

The doorbell rang Into the flat stormed my mother, Margaret, without so much as a hello and shoving me out of her way.

Well, out with it, dear daughter-in-law, what secrets are you keeping from your husband?

Mum? Whats happened, Mum?

When I arrived home, the flat was silent. My wife, Alison, had let me know that shed be late back thanks to an unexpected audit at work.

I wandered into the kitchen and checked the fridgeno sign of dinner. With a sigh, I flicked on the kettle, made myself a couple of ham sandwiches, and settled in front of the telly.

I spent a good few minutes channel-hopping before landing on the football. My peace didnt last.

Suddenly the doorbell went, and there was my mum, Margaret Turner, in full force. She barged into the flat, didnt bother with pleasantries, and nearly bowled me over.

Tom, listen closely! Angela from next door just told me

Whats going on, Mum? I asked.

Its about Alison. Shes got another flat, you know. Rents it out and spends the money all on herself!

Oh, Mum, why do you even listen to that busybody Angela? She collects gossip from the whole street and you just sit there lapping it up.

I know Angelas prone to exaggeration, but this is for real! Angelas neighbours niece is renting Alisons place right now.

She and her new husband are letting it off Alison, paying £450 a month, and think its a bargain. And get thisAlisons been letting it for over two years. These arent even her first tenants.

Thats a turn-up, I mused. But why wouldnt she have told me?

Well, youll have to ask Alison when she gets home. Obvious, though, isnt it? Shes building herself a safety net. Probably plans to leave you as soon as shes saved enoughand take whatever she can with her, Mum announced, full of drama.

Alison got in about an hour later, to find both Mum and me waiting. Margaret decided to stick aroundshe wanted to see Alison squirm. To keep herself busy, she even knocked up a quick dinner for me.

As soon as Alison walked into the lounge, she was met by two sets of steely eyes.

Mum started in right away.

Well, come on, dear, what secrets are you keeping from your husband?

None, as far as I know, Alison replied calmly.

Oh really? What about the flat on Oakley Road, number 43?

What does my flat have to do with secrets from my husband? Alison looked genuinely perplexed.

Its because youre letting it out and hiding the cash from him! Mum accused.

Is this true, Alison? I asked quietly, finally speaking up. Where did you get this flat? And why didnt you tell me you were letting it out? Wheres the money going?

That was Aunt Ritas placemy mums cousin. So, she was kind of my great-aunt, though I always get muddled with all those family ties. Rita passed away almost three years ago, Tom. I did tell you at the timeyou even said at last I wouldnt have to keep running around after her.

And when I asked you to help arrange the funeral, you said you were snowed under at work and hadnt got the time.

So why did she leave the flat to you? Mum probed.

Because I was the only one who visited her, I suppose, Alison replied.

And why didnt you tell Tom about the inheritance? Margaret pressed.

And why should Tom have any say over my inheritance?

How can you ask that?! Mum bristled. Hes your husband, thats why!

And…?

Dont play dumb! Money from letting that flat shouldve gone into the family pot, not straight into your purse.

Im fully entitled to use my inheritance as I see fit! Its my personal property. Anything gained from selling or letting it is mine as well. I dont answer to anyone for it, Alison declared.

Last year when I had the car repaired, I spent my entire bonus on it. Yet you had all this money and kept mum? Thats just not fair, Alison, I interjected.

Its your car, Tom. Youre the one driving it. Whenever I ask for a lift, you say youre busy or its out of your way, and tell me to call a taxi.

In the past year, you gave me a lift three times: once to the shops at Christmas, once when I forgot my keys and you picked me up from work, and once to A&E when I twisted my ankle.

So why on earth would I pay to fix a car I dont use?

And how much have you saved up, exactly? Mum demanded. A fortune, I bet.

Theres a bit put by, but nowhere near a fortune. Tom, do you even remember your daughters are both at university? When was the last time you sent them a penny? Alison asked me.

Theyre working, arent they? I replied defensively.

Theyre studying and working part-time! But if they have to fully support themselves, their degrees will suffer.

So, why hide the inheritance in the first place? I asked.

Because I knew youd both be at me like this, grilling and interrogating. And frankly, Id seen first-hand what happened to your brothers wife when your mum got wind of her pre-marital flat.

What are you going on about? Mum demanded.

You badgered Sarah for agesSell your flat, lets put the money into a holiday home, well all benefit! So, you sold the flat, bought a holiday place and put it in your name, Margaret! Now Sarah can barely even pop round for a barbeque, much less bring her friends. But shes always expected to help dig your vegetable patch! No, thanks!

You cheeky thing! Mum roared. Only ever thinking of yourself.

Just following your example, Margaret, Alison answered serenely.

Tom, are you hearing this? Your wifes being rude to me!

If you ask me, Im just being honest. You found out about my inheritance and rushed right over. Whys that? Alison pressed.

To tell Tom, of course!

Youve told him. What now?

I want you to put the money into the family finances, so its used fairly.

It already isfor what I see as important. Not for Toms car and certainly not for repairs to your holiday home!

We could have discussed it as a family, agreed together where its best spent, Mum persisted.

Do you seriously think a forty-six-year-old woman cant manage her own finances?

You cant just think of your own interests! Margaret protested.

Who else should I think ofyours? Thats exactly why I never announced the inheritance! So I could use it for my children and myselfno one else.

And youre going to keep spending it on your own?

Yes.

Not sharing any with your husband, either? Mum pressed.

I will if I think its right. Ive told you already: itll be spent on MY family.

So I suppose I dont count as family, then? Mum huffed.

My family is Tom, our children and me. Everyone else is just a relative, Alison calmly replied.

And that was the end of itor at least it should have been. Margaret couldnt get anything from Alison then, though that didnt stop her trying again and again, claiming she deserved a fair share.

But Alison held firm. Margaret simply met her match, and the matter rested.

From all this, I learned: sometimes, you need to trust your partners judgement and respect that not everything in a marriage has to be shared down to the last penny. Family is what you make itand meddling just spreads resentment.