Page 58 of The In-Laws

‘She says things that make me feel stupid and she doesn’t think being a hairdresser is a good job.’

‘But she lets you do her hair, so she must think you’re very good.’

‘She lets me do her hair because it’s convenient, I go to her house and she spends the whole time on the phone or on her computer. She barely speaks to me.’

‘She’s a very busy person, Mum. She runs a whole agency.’

‘I have lots of busy clients but they usually talk to me and don’t treat me like I’m their staff.’

Lucy sighed. ‘I think you’re being way too sensitive.’

Really? Am I? I’ve been belittled for years, it’s a bloody wonder I didn’t snap sooner.

‘No, I don’t think I am. I think I’ve been very patient and I’ve bitten my tongue a lot. Today I just snapped.’

‘But Granny has a sore leg and she’s old and she was just cross because you spilt things on her.’

‘I understand that, Lucy, but she was rude.’

Lucy blinked back tears. ‘She said she won’t come to our house ever again.’

The cow! How dare she upset Lucy? ‘Of course she will. This will all blow over,’ Katie lied.

Lucy shook her head. ‘No, Mum, it won’t. Granny was furious. I’m scared … I’m scared she won’t love me any more because of you.’

Katie’s heart broke as her daughter sobbed into her pillow. ‘Lucy, you are Granny’s favourite grandchild by miles. She adores you. That will never change. Even Melanie and Amanda were saying how much Granny loves you.’

Lucy sniffed, but looked a little less worried. ‘When Uncle Ross said you’re a basket case, what did he mean?’

Katie felt sick. She knew her mother-in-law didn’t rate her highly, but for Ross to call her a basket case? Jesus, did everyone think she was worthless? Did they all agree with Nancy and think Jamie married beneath him?

‘Mum?’

‘Oh, he was just being silly. It means nothing.’

‘You have to fix it, Mum. You have to say a big sorry to Granny. She’s my favourite person.’

Did she mean more favourite than her own mother?Katie was feeling too insecure to ask. She tucked a strand of Lucy’s hair behind her ear. She hated seeing her so upset. If she had to walk barefoot on broken glass to fix this, she would.

‘I will, sweetie. I promise I’ll do everything I can. Now, please stop worrying and go to sleep.’ She leant down to kiss her, but lost her balance and fell on top of Lucy, who squealed.

‘You’re squashing me!’

‘Sorry.’ Katie steadied herself. ‘Night night. I love you, Lucy.’

Silence. She was not getting off lightly with this issue. Lucy was going to make her pay.

Katie’s head throbbed as she brushed her teeth and got ready for bed. She had the beginnings of a hangover, was riddled with guilt and worry about Lucy and, deep down, she knew she had behaved badly, even if Nancy had had it coming to her.

Jamie was sitting up in bed, reading. He had said very little to her since he’d come in from his run.

Katie slid in and turned off her bedside light. She just wanted to sleep and deal with it all tomorrow.

‘Katie?’ Jamie’s voice was sharp.

Oh, no …

‘Yes?’

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