**Diary Entry 16th October**
Bloody hell. Just got a message from Emily WhitmoreRichards girlfriend. “Hello, Mrs. Archer. Its Emily, your future daughter-in-law. Fancy a chat? Whens good for you?”
Future daughter-in-law? What fresh madness is this? Richard hasnt mentioned a word about marrying her.
“Hello, Emily. Come round mine at six tonight.”
Whats she playing at? Reckon shes up the duff? Probably. Trying to trap him into marriageseen it all before.
Whats he thinking? Shes not good enough for him. Not like our Richard. Architect with a bright future. Flat in London, nice car, sharp as a tack. Any girl would be lucky to have him, but nohe picks this one.
Tidied up, popped to Tesco. Nerves in knots.
Seen Emily a few times. Never liked her, not from the start. Richard brought her round to meet me, then again for tea. Every time, I told him straightshes not right for him.
“Son, theres plenty of fish in the sea. Why her? Whats so special? Plain, skinny, no presence. Men used to go for proper girls! Shes beneath you.”
“Mum, I love her. Shes perfect. And her cookingroast dinners to die for!”
That stung. Used to be my cooking he raved about. Now its *her* roast dinners.
Emily arrived dead on six. Brought custard tartsmy favourite. Clever girl, buttering me up.
“Mrs. Archer, Ill cut to the chase. Richard proposed. I said yes. Hes nervous about telling youthinks youll take it badly.”
“Course I will. Why wouldnt I?”
“I want to make a deal. Hear me out.”
“I know you raised Richard alone. Married because of a baby, but it didnt work out. Husband left. Same for meDad died young. I know what its like.”
“You poured everything into your son. And it shows. Hes kind, thoughtfulcredit to you.”
I nodded. Damn right.
“You want him to marry some posh, successful girl. Then theres me. Plain, ordinary, modest salary. Not what you pictured. Now youre scrambling, wondering how to talk him out of it.”
I shrugged. Spot on.
“Heres how itll go. Richard wont listen. Youll push. Youll row. Skip the wedding, obviously. Then youll moan to everyoneAfter all Ive done! Somell pity you, othersll laugh.”
“Meanwhile, well be happy. Youll sulk. Ill have a baby. Hell tell you, but youll refuse to see your grandchild. Wont acknowledge the marriage, wont acknowledge the kid.”
“My mumll dote on themstories, treats, favourite grandma. Youll be sat alone in your flat, telly on, wallowing in self-pity.”
“Holidaysll be worst. Everyone with family, you by yourself. Resentmentll gnaw at you. Healthll go. Hospital visitsno one but the neighbour popping in. Youll die lonely, never knowing your grandson, no one calling you Nan. Your choice.”
“Oryou think it over. Accept his decision. If he loves me, theres a reason.”
“Im not so bad. Workmates like me. Mum adores me. Ill be a good wife and mother. And I love Richard.”
“When he tells you, say youre happy for him. You dont have to love mejust be civil.”
“I dont love you either, but Ill meet you halfway.”
“At the wedding, youll have the best seat. When the baby comes, youll be welcome. Two grandmasbetter for the child. Ill never badmouth you. You dont badmouth me.”
“Weve one jobmake Richard happy. So lets work together. Ring me when youve decided. Cheers for the tea.”
After she left, I sat by the window. Bloody hell. Shes right. Thats exactly how itll go.
Whats the point? If I kick off, hell marry her anyway. Seen the way he looks at her. Even my roast doesnt compare now.
What do I gain? Nothing. Just loneliness while some other nan spoils my grandkid. I want that. Sono. Wont happen.
Rang Emily.
“Alright. Deal. Dont want to die alone. Want to see my sonand you, I suppose. And Ill have the baby weekends, yeah? Ohwhats your secret with the roast?”
She laughed. “Your cookings just as good, Mrs. Archer. Just a pinch of thyme. Glad you agreed. Richard always said you were clever.”
Three years later
“Richard, look at little Henryspitting image of you! Proper little lad. So glad Ive got a grandson. Emilycheers for that deal. You were right.”
“What deal?”
“Oh, just us girls secrets.”
Shared a wink with her.
**Lesson learnt:** Sometimes swallowing your prides the only way to keep what matters. Stubbornness costs more than its worth.
