The kitchen was dimly lit as Margaret sat at the table, sorting through bills. Her husband, James, had left for work hours ago, but she hadnt mustered the energy to tidy up. Her thoughts buzzed like a swarm of irritated waspsever since their youngest, Oliver, had started making demands, the peace in their home had shattered.
She had dreamed of finally living for herselfrenovating the master bedroom just the way she liked it, buying elegant new furniture for the living room. Oliver was getting married soon; he and his bride would move out, leaving the house to her and James. But life had other plans. Their eldest, Emily, had divorced her good-for-nothing husband, and now she and the grandchildrenLiam and Sophiehad moved back in, taking the largest room.
Then came Olivers wedding plans. He and his fiancée, Victoria, had practically moved in months ago, and now seven people crammed into their three-bedroom home, stepping on each others toes.
Victoria strode into the kitchen, her perfect ponytail bouncing. “Morning, Margaret,” she said, voice sweet as poisoned honey. “Are you eating, or should I have breakfast alone? Dont want to intrude.”
Margaret stiffened. The girl never used her full name, always dropping the formalitiesanother sign of disrespect. If it were up to her, Oliver wouldnt be marrying this entitled little upstart. But he adored her, so Margaret bit her tongue.
“Good morning, Victoria. Ive already eaten,” she replied coldly. “Give me five minutes to clear up, then the kitchens yours.”
Victoria poured herself a glass of water, then leaned against the counter. “Margaret, I wanted to askOliver and I were discussing where wed live after the wedding. What do you think?”
Margaret set the bills aside. There it wasthe opening move in a game theyd been playing for months.
“Weve already talked about this. Youll take the spare room.”
Victorias expression twisted into what Margaret called her “patronising sneer.”
“Lets be honest, Margaret. Your house is lovely, but its yours. You and James have lived here thirty years. With Emily and the kids, its not three peopleits five. We dont want to live under a microscope.”
Margaret clenched her fists. “And where exactly do you expect to live? You dont own property. Renting is your only option.”
“We were thinking,” Victoria said smoothly, sitting opposite her, “about your flat. The one you rent out. We could live there. Pay you, of course. Or you could just gift it to us.”
Margaret let out a bitter laugh. “I have two children, Victoria. Should I hand you a flat and leave Emily with nothing?”
“Emily could stay here,” Victoria shrugged. “Three bedroomsyou and James in one, her and the kids in another. Plenty of space.”
“Emily deserves her own life,” Margaret snapped. “And I wont solve your housing problems for you. Youre young, you workearn your own home.”
“But that takes years!” Victoria threw her hands up. “Oliver just got promoted, but buying a place will take at least five! We want to live properly now!”
“Then why the extravagant wedding?” Margarets voice turned sharp. “Why stretch for limousines, doves, a banquet for a hundred if you cant even afford rent? Get married quietly, save for a deposit. Simple, isnt it?”
Victorias smile hardened. “Thats your opinion. Oliver and I want our dream wedding. I deserve a beautiful dress, to show my friends were not penniless. Dont you understand?”
“Oh, I do.” Margaret nodded. “You want to show off. But smart couples secure a home firstmarriage comes after.”
Victoria shot her a venomous glare and stormed out.
That evening, Oliver confronted herclearly put up to it by Victoria. This time, he brought up their anniversary.
“You and Dad celebrated thirty years at The Savoy because you could afford it. You scrimped for a decade, paid off the car loanthe one you gave me, by the way. You earned that celebration!”
“You couldve had a barbecue at the cottage! Saved thousands. Do you know how much I could use that money now? Two grand? Three?”
Margaret whirled on him. “Youre saying this to me? You, who couldnt even save for a decent suit? We bought your wedding outfit! Were covering seventy percent of this circuswe took out a loan for your fairy tale! And now you throw this in my face?”
“Dont shout at me,” Oliver snapped. “Im just asking for whats fair. Where am I supposed to take my wife? Some mouldy rental? Mum, Im serious!”
“And why cant her parents help?” Margaret shot back. “You want me to hand over the only safety net I have left? That flat is for our retirement! Well keep renting it out.”
“With what right?” Olivers voice rose. “Youve had your turngive us ours!”
“Have you forgotten Emily?” Margaret hissed. “She has children. She needs help more than you!”
Victoria burst in then. “Emily can lean on her ex,” she declared. “Or this house. Give us the flatwe wont ask for more. Right, Ollie?”
The argument spiralled. Oliver and Victoria werent asking anymorethey were demanding.
The week before the wedding was eerily quiet. Oliver and Victoria were at a friends country house, Emily visiting relatives. Margaret and James were watching telly when the doorbell rang.
James answeredand in marched Victorias mother, Zoe.
“Jim, love. Maggie in? Let me through!”
Margaret froze. Shed met Zoe only a handful of timesenough to know where Victoria got her charm.
“To what do we owe the pleasure?” Margaret asked icily.
Zoe grinned. “Came for a chat. My Vickys in pieces over this wedding. Cried her eyes out last nightcomplaining about you!”
Margaret arched a brow. “Really? And what have I done now?”
“Dont play daft!” Zoe scoffed. “Why wont you let them have the flat? Its just sitting there! Too stingy to help your own son?”
Margarets nails dug into her palms. “Zoe, why dont you buy them a place? Why is their housing my responsibility?”
Zoe blinked. “Where would I get that sort of money? Were just getting by! If I had a spare place, Id hand it over in a heartbeat. Now stop being difficultgive them the flat!”
James had heard enough. He yanked the door open. “Out. Now. Tell your daughter the flats off the table. End of discussion.”
Zoe left, cursing. James called Oliver immediatelyhe was to move out the moment he got back.
