Im gonna tell you what happened with Emily and James, just like Id be chatting over the phone.
So, Emily ended up marrying James even though her mum, Margaret, wasnt happy about it at all.
Love, youve got the wrong bloke, Margaret kept saying. What can you possibly expect from your James? He was raised by his grandma, has no parents, works in a local garage just a proper grinder, thats all he is.
Emily shot back, Mum, its not Jamess fault his parents died when he was a baby. She reminded her mum that James had finished college, was handy with his hands and could fix just about anything.
Margaret snorted, Handy with a wrench, thats all. How are you going to live on his wage? Youre only on your third year at university, you still need to finish your degree. We cant just let you and him fend for yourselves without any help from your dad and me.
Emily heard these tirades a lot, but James was at work most of the time and didnt hear a word. Margaret kept trying to sow discord, hoping to split them up. She just couldn’t stand her new soninlaw.
James was a solid lad, did his National Service, and loved Emily madly. She felt the same. Before the wedding he tried to sweeten the deal:
Lets stay with my grandma. Its only a twobed flat, not like your parents fourbed house, he said, knowing full well Margaret couldnt stand him, even though he got along fine with Emilys dad. Margaret ran the household with an iron fist.
If Margaret decided something, shed push it through any way she could. Emily knew that, so she held her ground, didnt listen to her mum and mostly relied on herself. Margaret hated Emilys independence and stubbornness, but she also saw a bit of herself in her daughter not all of it, thankfully.
Emily knew Jamess mother was a pain, but she still coaxed him into staying with her parents for a while.
James, Im still studying, youre the only earner, we cant live on one salary, and Mum will always help.
Alright, well see how it goes, James agreed.
A few weeks later James got his pay and popped into the local supermarket for a few bits. Emily hadnt gotten home from her lectures yet. Margaret saw him with his bags and snapped:
Who asked you to buy that?
I thought Id get it myself, James said calmly. Emily loves that cheese, and the other stuff. He didnt get to finish.
What are you? Youre not family here, youve got no right to be called anything. I put up with you only because of my daughter, whos managed to find a bloke like you, Margaret barked, leaving James standing there, stunned.
Mrs. Margaret, why are you being so rude? Im speaking to you respectfully, James tried.
She rolled her eyes, Listen, youll be teaching me a thing or two, so hear this: every penny you earn from now on goes straight to me. Ill handle the money, the groceries, everything. Got that?
Why should I hand over my wage? Were a family, James protested.
No, youre not a family with my daughter. Hand over the cash.
I earned it, Ill give it to my wife, James said firmly.
Then get out of my flat, now. I dont want to see you again, Margaret snapped.
James packed up and left. Three days passed without a word from him. Emily was waiting, but she didnt dare go looking for him, even though she knew he hadnt just walked out. She was also pregnant, after all.
Not even a call, she thought, Hes probably at his grandma Annes.
Margaret gave Emily a brief version of why James left, painting herself as the victim and leaving out the part about demanding the money and kicking him out.
Mom, youve told me the whole truth, havent you? Emily asked, suspicious.
Love, why would I lie to you? Margaret replied.
On the fourth day, Emily decided to visit Jamess grandma. He wasnt answering his phone.
Im heading to Jamess place, she told her mum.
Where to?
Back to his flat, hell be at his grandmas, thats where hell be.
But if he hasnt turned up, maybe youre not important to him, Margaret said.
Impossible, James wouldnt just leave like that I dont know what you two argued about, but youre keeping something from me, Emily replied. He cant just walk away.
Margaret huffed, Your precious James is always first, and Im the one whos left holding the bag. I pour money and effort into you both, and youre both ungrateful.
Mom, Im not blaming you. Thanks for the support, but I know you cant stand James. Youre always on his case, picking at his every move, Emily said, grabbing her bag and coat, hurrying out of the flat. On the way she rehearsed what shed say to him.
Dont act like a sulky child. No matter what Mum says, you cant lose your cool. Hes an adult, after all, and you need to keep it together, she thought, Mum nagging him is one thing, but Im stuck between a rock and a hard place. Im exhausted with my studies.
She convinced herself that James had bolted over a petty comment from Mum and was now waiting for her to show up. Emily decided shed spill everything to James first, then perhaps be generous enough to forgive him.
When she finally got to the cottage, Grandmother Anne opened the door with a sad, apologetic look, let her in, and gestured her to the kitchen. James was sitting at the table with an almostempty bottle of gin on it. Emily was shocked James never smoked or drank, never even had a nightcap.
He didnt look surprised to see her, just took a tiny sip, nodded toward the chair opposite. She sat down, stared straight into his eyes. All the words shed rehearsed fled her, her heart clenched with pity.
What on earth could my mother have said that made James open a bottle of gin? she wondered, then quietly said, James, lets go home.
No, he answered loudly.
Why? she asked.
I cant live with your mother. She controls everything I do. Her constant helpful advice about how to eat, how to talk, what to wear soon shell be telling me how to breathe. And she wants all the money I earn. Im not going to hand that over; were a family.
Emily murmured, So thats whats been going on.
She realised Margaret had left out this whole bit when she told Emily about the fight.
What now? James asked.
I dont know, he admitted. We could stay here with my grandma.
But we need money, the babys coming, we need a lot, Emily said.
Im earning decent wages, can pull tenhour shifts, maybe more, James replied. But with my studies and your job, we wont be able to raise a child properly. Wed have to buy groceries, cook, I cant manage all that. I dont want to quit school, Im almost done. Maybe we should move back with my parents until the baby arrives, until the kid starts nursery, then I can find a proper job.
No, Im not going back to my mums, James said firmly.
Maybe we should just divorce, Emily blurted out, startled by her own words.
If you cant live with me, cant give up the comfort and help from your folks, maybe divorce is the only answer, James snapped back.
Emily sprang up, ready to bolt for the hallway, but Grandma Anne stopped her.
Sit down, love, calm down. Ive been eavesdropping because I knew this would end badly. Ill help you. You dont have to drop your studies Ive still got some savings, not as much as your parents, just a pension, but Ill share what I have. I can cook and look after my greatgrandson, I promise. Just please, dont think about splitting up. Move in with us.
Emily took the offer. Shed thought about it before the comfort and help from her parents were tempting, but love for James made her want to give that up. Her own family, her husband, and the soontobeborn son were now her priority.
James watched her, tension still in his shoulders, feeling that Emily might actually accept the grandmas proposal. Finally, Emily smiled.
Alright, Im in. Where else would I be, James? she said. He leapt up, hugged her, kissed her, and Grandma Anne beamed, whispering a prayer.
Emily had to endure her mothers tirade as she packed her things to go to James. She heard her mum ranting from the hallway.
Youll starve with your James, youll end up penniless, I dont want that grandkid. Hell grow up as stubborn as his dad. Leave, get out! Margaret ranted, her words making Emilys hair stand on end.
Emily walked out with her suitcase, set her large bag on the landing. James helped carry her things down, while curses flew around them.
Lord, even my mum Emily muttered in horror. Im glad I left home. Now I finally understand James, I can see what shes done to him.
Life settled down for James and Emily at the cottage. Grandma Anne took over all the household chores. Emily handled her pregnancy well and gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Oliver. Grandma Anne and the young parents were over the moon. Margaret cut off contact, not wanting the grandchild. Their old dad, however, called in secret now and then, asking about Oliver, and Emily sent him a photo, which made him grin.
When Oliver turned three, he started nursery, despite Grandma Annes protests that she could look after him. Emily told her, Grandma, Oliver needs to be with other kids, itll help him develop faster. Youll still be nearby to pick him up, and you deserve a break too. Were even thinking of having a daughter soon, so well need you around.
