Everything Happens for the Best
Evelyn Watson my mother always made it clear she was shaping me, her daughter Charlotte, in her own image. She saw herself as a strong and successful woman and expected me to follow her lead meticulously, never straying from the path she set out.
Charlotte, shed say sternly, if you want to achieve the same success as me, you must do exactly as I say, not a step to the side. Do you understand?
Yes, Mum, I would answer.
I loved my mother, so I tried hard to listen, not wanting to disappoint her. She wanted nothing less than perfection from me. But the more I grew, the harder it became.
A child is a child, after all, and I was no exception I made messes, tore my clothes, scraped my knees, broke things. But I always did well in school. I knew that if I came home with a C, for Mum, it would be nothing short of disaster.
Charlotte, shame on you. How could you get a C? Dont you respect your father and me? No more of this sort it out and quickly.
All right, Mum, Id reply dutifully, daring to protest a little, Mum, it was just one C, by accident
That doesnt matter. You must be better and smarter than everyone.
I fretted, but soon sorted out my grade. I finished school with top marks, a gold star on my record nothing else would do. Mum was pleased when I got into university with ease.
Well done, love, Im proud of you, she said once, and I felt her satisfaction. You need to keep it up.
Evelyn Watson ran a construction business not the most feminine field but she was utterly in command. Some male businessmen marvelled at her iron will. She never doubted that after I finished university, Id work right by her side.
I wanted so much to break free, to breathe, even dreamed of applying to a university outside London but that idea was wishful thinking.
You need to be close to me, under my supervision, she declared sharply. Why go anywhere else? We’ve got a perfectly good university here.
Of course I couldn’t argue. In my third year, I fell head over heels for someone. Before that, Id gone on the odd date sometimes secretly but nothing serious.
George, with his easy smile and shock of blond hair, captivated me. He was in the same year, in a different course. I still did brilliantly at university, but studying wasnt Georges passion especially hated writing papers. One afternoon, he stopped me in the corridor.
Charlotte, can you help me with this coursework? Im really struggling.
Id love to, I replied, delighted. I fancied him.
After that, I practically wrote all his coursework. He paid me back with affection and his company. We dated, strolled through the parks, went to the cinema and cafés.
Mum was quick to sense something and confronted me head on.
So, Charlotte, have you fallen for someone?
How did you know? I was surprised.
Its written all over your face. Invite him round. I need to know what kind of man this is.
George met my parents even Mum didnt pick him apart. But after hed left, she said:
Thats not love, Charlotte. Hes just using you. Hes not terribly bright, cant even hold a decent conversation. What do you see in him?
Thats not true, Mum, I contradicted her for the first time. George is ambitious, reads a lot, hes interested in history. You just intimidate him. Not everyones like you besides, hes young.
Hes not right for you, she insisted.
I decided to stand my ground.
Mum, say what you like about George, Im going to be with him and I love him.
Mum stared at me in disbelief, waving her hand dismissively.
One day youll see, George is nothing special.
But in the end, I won out. After university, I married George. I was relieved that Mum was wrong about him.
Life has a strange way of working out. Turns out, average students can end up achieving more climbing the ladder even quicker than straight-A students. Thats what happened to George. He found a prestigious job straight away, while I worked under Mums wing.
George had a flat of his own, a gift from his parents during his student days. After the wedding, I was thrilled to finally be free of Mums control but it was short-lived. She still found work for me at her company.
One evening, George came home and announced, Charlotte, Ive been made department head trial period, mind, but Ill do everything to prove myself.
Sure enough, three months later it was made permanent. George didnt like that his clever wife was still tied to her mother at work.
Charlotte, youll get nowhere working with your mum. Time to break free. Are you going to bow and scrape to her forever? She controls you, and frankly, shes a battle-axe and youre a pushover.
It stung, hearing that from George, but I knew it was true. After a while he stopped nagging, but it didnt make me feel any better. He grew more sullen and detached over time, but I was content enough if he was silent, at least he wasnt criticising me. The important thing was, he was still there.
A year or so passed, and one day George came home and quietly said, Ive met someone else. I love her. Im leaving you shes the real deal, not like you.
For the first time, I lost it. I shouted, cursed, threw a plate, grabbed his phone and smashed it against the wall, shredded a couple of his shirts, then fell still.
George looked at me, amazed. So you do have fire after all. Its a shame I never saw it before, and with that, he left for good.
I hate you, I hate you I whispered, then packed up my things, rented a small flat and left.
I didnt tell Mum anything I knew exactly the sort of speech Id get. For a whole month maybe longer I managed to hide my situation. But Mums instincts were as sharp as ever.
Charlotte, whats happened to you? You look so low is it you and George?
Why do you say that? I cant have problems with my husband, because I havent got one.
Good heavens, so hes left you I knew it. When?
Back in April, I sighed.
And you kept this to yourself?
I sat quietly, unable to interrupt. I listened as she reeled off criticisms of George, and of myself, too.
I warned you. At least you wont be his doormat now, and thank goodness you didnt have a child with him. Youd do well to listen to me from now on, understood?
Mum, everything happens for the best, I replied suddenly, standing up. And Im done working for you. Ive had enough. With that, I walked out of her office, leaving Mum baffled.
I decided it was time to get away far enough to avoid the daily tirades and constant policing.
As I got off the tram at my stop, I stumbled into a pothole, falling awkwardly and landing hard on my ankle.
Thats all I need, I groaned in pain.
Are you all right? called a young man walking by, since the tram had already left. He offered a hand, and when I stood up, my ankle throbbed terribly.
Does it hurt? he asked with real concern.
A lot, I grimaced.
Hang on put your arm around my shoulders, he said, and before I could protest, he swept me up and carried me to his car. Lets go to hospital you might have a break
Im Jack, by the way. And you are?
Charlotte.
At the hospital, it turned out there was no break just a very nasty sprain. They bandaged it tightly, gave advice, and sent me on my way. Jack had waited the whole time, then drove me home.
Could I get your number? he asked politely, just in case you need a hand.
I gave it without hesitation. The next day Jack rang.
Is there anything I can bring you? I bet your ankles still sore.
If you could pick up some juice and fruit, and actually Im out of bread, I said.
Not long after, the doorbell rang. I hobbled to open it and found Jack standing there, arms loaded with shopping bags.
Good heavens, thats a lot!
Well, I thought we could celebrate our meeting! If you dont mind, Ill help out, or do everything myself. By the way, may I call you by your first name?
I burst out laughing I liked him straight away. Being with Jack felt easy and natural.
He made more of an effort than me really: set the table, warmed up a takeaway curry in the microwave, poured juice into glasses, and told me straight away he didnt touch alcohol. The evening was brilliant.
Four months later, Jack and I got married. A year after that, our daughter Maisie was born. When people asked how Id found such a wonderful husband, Id laugh and say:
He quite literally picked me up off the street. Dont believe me? Ask him yourself
If life has taught me anything, it’s that whatever happens really does happen for the best but sometimes, you have to go through a rough patch before you find your way.
