Best of INTENTIONS

Could new mum Emma tell her mother-in-law how she was feeling without causing offence?

-  Sally Bowler

Emma stared through the kitchen window, bleary-eyed after another sleepless night. At least she'd finally managed to settle Evie in her crib. Even the clatter of bowls from her hastily arranged breakfast as she lifted them from the table to the sink made her head ache. So, how on earth was she going to cope as a new mum?

With the sound of the doorbell, her tension grew even more as, tightening the belt of her dressing gown, she reached the door.

'Well, here I am at last!' Margery cried as she swept majestically into the hall. 'The drive here has taken ages...that new one-way system...' she went on as she headed to the kitchen, leaving Emma wondering why her mother-in-law's energy seemed to drain her of her own.

With a quick glance at the sleeping baby, Margery slid the carrier bag from her arm, her face red with exertion, and put it down on the table with a thump. 'And as for trying to park in this street between the early morning shoppers...a complete nightmare!' She let her ample frame flop onto a chair.

'How about a nice cup of tea?' Emma suggested, struggling to hold her friendly smile as she reached for the kettle.

Immediately, Margery was on her feet.

'I'll do that!' she said, nudging Emma aside. 'It certainly looks as if you could do with a bit of help.' Her grey, newly set hair bobbed from side to side as she looked about her.

Was that a sniff of disapproval from her mother-in-law? Emma wondered, staring miserably at the cluttered worktops, the heaped wash basket and overflowing rubbish bin.

'Sorry,' she began tearfully, 'I've been meaning to...' She longed to add, 'I used to be so orderly and competent at home and work before Evie.' How was it that just a few weeks with a baby had brought her to her knees?

But Margery was already counting off the chores on her plump fingers as the kettle started to boil.