**A Mother’s Worry: Our Daughter Is Set on Marrying a Layabout**
Here in our cosy little town up in Yorkshire, where winters drag on and people cherish the warmth of family, my husband and I have always done our best to give our daughter everything she deserves. But now, our hearts ache with worry—our sweet girl is determined to marry a lad who seems good for nothing but empty promises and sheer idleness.
My husband, Oliver, and I know how hard it is to find the right person. Back when we were young, my own parents were dead against Oliver. Mum feared his obsession with tinkering with old Land Rovers, convinced it was reckless, while Dad had his heart set on me marrying his friend’s son, a well-off engineer. But I fell head over heels for Oliver—his kindness, his hard work, and the way he cared for me won me over. I defied my parents, we married, and the years proved I’d made the right choice. Together, we raised our daughter, Emily, pouring our hearts into giving her every opportunity.
Emily’s always been our pride—bright, driven, full of passion. Two years ago, she started uni in Manchester and met a lad named Brandon. At first, we were happy for her—young love is beautiful! But the more we learned about Brandon, the more uneasy we grew. Now Emily’s announced she’s marrying him, and Oliver and I are horrified because the truth is, Brandon’s bone idle, and that’s not just an opinion—it’s plain fact.
We’ve seen it ourselves, time and again. Every summer, Emily takes odd jobs—waitressing, temping in offices—saving up so they can go to Cornwall in August. And Brandon? Not a thing. In two years, he’s never once looked for work, not even a summer gig. Emily carries the weight while he coasts along, acting like it’s his due. It breaks our hearts—our girl deserves so much better.
Once, Brandon’s parents were renovating their flat. Hoping to mend fences, we offered to help—brought tools, paint, wallpaper. And what did Brandon do? While Oliver and I were up to our elbows in plaster and paper, he sat in his room glued to his computer, gaming for hours, never so much as offering us a cuppa. It hit me like a bolt—is this really the man my daughter wants to spend her life with?
Brandon lives in his own little world, buried in screens, barely speaking to anyone unless it’s about his games or how “everything’s rubbish.” I can’t picture Emily happy with someone like that. She’s like a shining star, and he’s dragging her down into his swamp of apathy. I know this marriage will trap her—but how do I make her see it?
We’ve tried talking to Emily, but love’s made her deaf to reason. Every word about Brandon feels like an attack to her. “You just don’t know him like I do!” she cries, eyes brimming. I see her torn between her feelings and our warnings, and it shreds my heart. I don’t want her repeating mistakes she’ll regret for a lifetime.
Night after night, I lie awake picturing Emily—so full of hope—walking down the aisle to a man who won’t lift a finger for her. I’m terrified she’ll sacrifice her dreams for someone who can’t even be bothered to get off the sofa. How do we reach her? How do we stop her from making a choice that could ruin her life? Every instinct screams this marriage will be a disaster—but how do I save my girl?
