“Mum, how much longer are you going to stay here?”
In the dreary town of Wellingbrook, where grey council houses huddle against the bitter wind, Emily’s parents did everything they could to ensure their daughter got an education and stood on her own two feet. During her final year at university, Emily met Daniel—a lad from a modest background but with ambitious plans. Her mother, Margaret, eyed her daughter’s choice with unease. He struck her as too much of a dreamer, but she bit her tongue, believing Emily should decide her own path. Love blinded Emily—Daniel was the one for her, and no doubts from her mother could shake that.
The wedding was a quiet affair, just close family and friends. There wasn’t enough money for a grand celebration. Daniel devoted all his time to his studies, refusing part-time work to stay focused on his goals. His parents, salt-of-the-earth folk, weren’t in a position to help, and asking more of them was out of the question. Their indifference hung in the air like the thick fog over Wellingbrook’s river.
Then came the question: where would they live? Around that time, Margaret’s father passed away, and Emily’s family made a difficult decision—they handed over their flat to the young couple while they moved in with an elderly aunt to help care for her. For Emily and Daniel, it was a lifeline—they couldn’t afford rent, and university halls were out of reach due to Emily’s local ties. They accepted the gift without a second thought, unaware of the price her parents had paid.
Life wasn’t a fairy tale for the newlyweds. Daniel buried himself in research, while Emily, having graduated, found a job. Children were out of the question—they barely scraped by, cutting corners wherever they could. Emily’s parents helped where possible, but soon another blow fell: Emily’s grandmother died. The house went to Margaret and her brother. After much arguing, they decided Margaret, having cared for their mother for years, deserved the larger share. The house was sold, the money split. With their portion, Margaret and her husband bought a two-bed in an ageing block. It needed serious work, but hiring builders was beyond their means.
Hope in their hearts, they turned to their daughter and son-in-law: “Emily, we can’t afford labour. We were counting on Daniel to help your dad, while you and I handle the smaller jobs.” They expected gratitude—after all, they’d sacrificed their own comfort for the young couple. Instead, they were met with cold refusal. Daniel snapped, “Why didn’t your parents think this through? Why buy a wreck if you can’t afford to fix it? You could’ve got a decent one-bed and saved the hassle. My parents live within their means—they don’t saddle us with their problems. I’m prepping for my PhD defence—I haven’t got time to swing a hammer!”
Emily, flustered, relayed his words: “You know how wrapped up Daniel is in his research. If he doesn’t defend this year, he’ll lose his shot at a contract in Sweden. Others have done it and are earning well now. Maybe you could start the repairs yourselves, and I’ll pop round after work? Or save up for builders later?” The words cut Margaret and her husband like a knife. They’d given up their home, only to be accused of being a burden.
Resentment burned. Her parents decided to move back into their old flat. They took the larger room, leaving Emily and Daniel the smaller one. Two weeks later, Emily approached her mother, voice trembling: “Mum, how much longer are you staying? Daniel can’t work like this, and we’re all tripping over each other in the kitchen.” Margaret looked at her daughter with weary resolve. “Emily, you’re not in my way. But we won’t be able to leave for three years. We haven’t the strength for renovations, and saving for builders will take time. We’ll manage till then.”
“Three years?!” Emily cried. “We’re at breaking point now! Daniel and I argue non-stop—we’ll divorce before you move out!” Her father, silent till then, added, “Why don’t Daniel’s parents chip in? They’ve not pitched in a penny, always leaving it to us. We gave you a home, and you haven’t even thanked us. Think on that.”
The family teetered on the edge. Arguments between Emily and Daniel became daily, while her parents’ hurt festered like an open wound. No one knows how this will end. Maybe divorce is inevitable. Daniel returned kindness with coldness, and now he reaps what he sowed. Or are her parents, blinded by resentment, ruining their daughter’s life?
What do you think? Did her parents do right, teaching them a lesson? Or were they just acting out of spite?