Go home! Ill talk to you there! I snapped at Emily in irritation as we left the bustling high street in our village. Theres no need to entertain passersby with a row in public!
Well, fine then! Emily snorted, rolling her eyes. If you say so!
Emily, dont push your luck! I warned with a stern glint. Well sort this out at the house! Oh dear, so scary, she scoffed, tossing her chestnut braid over one shoulder and setting off with purpose towards home.
I hung back, waiting until she was a good distance ahead. Then, pulling my mobile from my pocket, I muttered into it under my breath:
Yes, shes on her way home. Get ready for her, as we discussed. And dont forget: if she kicks up a fuss, have her cool down in the cellar. Ill be there soon!
I slipped my phone away, meaning to duck into the corner shop to treat myself after a hard day of teaching my wife a lesson, when a complete stranger tapped me on the arm.
Sorry to barge in, mate, he said, offering an embarrassed smile. But you were just with a young lady, werent you?
My wife, yes, what about her? I frowned, not liking his tone.
Oh, nothing, he grinned obsequiously. Its justis your wife by any chance called Emily Sutton?
Yes, Emily. Used to be Sutton before we married. Whats this about?
And her fathers name is George, isnt it?
Thats right! I said, feeling my irritation grow. How on earth do you know all this?
Emily only moved to our sleepy English village three years ago. No one knew anything about her before that, except for her own story: shed run away from home because her parents tried to marry her off against her will.
So for a complete stranger to start reeling off personal details about her in a place where gossip travels fast that put me instantly on guard.
Oh, I dont know her personally, the man stammered, cheeks reddening. Im, well, you could say Im something of a fan!
A fan, are you? Ill give you something to take home if youre not careful, I warned with a fixed smile. What are you playing at? Looking to steal my wife right from under my nose?
No, no! Youve completely misunderstood! he waved his hands desperately. I mean, Im a fan of her abilities!
What abilities? I asked, dumbfounded.
Well, look, being banned for life at eighteen from Muay Thai tournaments for excessive aggression thats not exactly something you see every day, is it? he exclaimed with open admiration.
It was a shame she stopped competing after winning a couple of underground matches! Watching her in the ring was always a treat!
My hands trembled so badly I dropped my phone on the paving slabs. The mobile crashed to pieces, screen flickering uselessly when I scrambled to put it together. All I could think was: I need to get home, and fast.
I sprinted through the village, repeating under my breath, Please, God, let me make it in time.
I remember when Emily first appeared in the village, she was impossible not to notice: slim, fit, lively, and always with an infectious laugh. Shed landed a job teaching PE to the primary pupils at our local school.
Everyone assumed she was a university student on a placement. We were all shocked to learn she was twenty-five and had moved here for good. Then came the gossip why was such an attractive, mysterious young woman living all by herself?
Some said shed fallen out with a boyfriend and come to nurse her wounds. Others figured she was running from her family. None of us really knew.
I kept my distance at first. Who knows what her story is? Lets give it time, Id mutter.
School work is more than classes theres plenty of soul-baring in the staff room. Bit by bit, Emily shared her story:
My parents were businessfolk. Decent people, really, but after their supplier let them down, the business went under and Dad decided to marry me off to one of his business partners to fix it.
You shouldve seen the prince he picked out for me. I saw my chance and bolted!
Youre all on your own, then? a teacher asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
Ill manage, Emily shrugged. Id rather carve my own path than be sold like a sofa at an auction.
Her colleagues encouraged her, telling her love would find her in our village.
When her story reached my family, my mind was made up.
Im marrying her, I told Mum, Dad, and my older brother, James. The local girls here are a nightmare; at least this ones fresh and no in-laws to deal with.
Shes young, strong, fit absolutely perfect for a big family. Shell make a fine wife and help run the house what more could we want?
Everyone agreed. And if she ever played up, wed put her straight the old English way, as my family so charmingly put it.
Cocky as I was, I figured, why wouldnt Emily say yes? I had a good job as Deputy Manager of the local veg warehouse. And what a warehouse Id practically run the whole place since the day they put me in charge.
Id earned a reputation for being a hard boss some might say with a heavy hand but the thefts and dodgy dealings stopped after I took over. Even if my brother, as head of security, was a bit much sometimes.
Emily said yes, in the end, after a bit of courting and cautious acceptance. I brought her home to live with my family.
Youre a Sutton now, so keep in mind were one big family! Mum kept reminding her. Here, we all pitch in and support each other.
To be honest, I didnt do any chores growing up. My parents always had staff, Emily confessed, cheeks flushing.
Well soon sort that out! Dad laughed, gentle for once. Youll pick things up quickly.
The only thing Emily made clear was her dislike for unfairness.
Sweetheart, Mum lectured her, fairness is relative. Respect your husband and relatives. Obedience and gentleness are a womans best virtues, remember that! Leave the big stuff to the men.
Well, alright, if thats how its done here. But there arent any batons or stables involved, are there? Emily joked.
No whips in this house just good old British tradition! Dad chortled.
As it turned out, traditional meant Emilys every move was restricted just weeks after the wedding.
Only work and shopping for you, dear! Havent you noticed all there is to do at home? Chickens and the garden wont manage themselves! Mum would bark constantly.
She wasnt exaggerating on the alone bit. James and I were always tied up at work. Dad fancied himself a manager all bark and no bite. Housework and chores landed squarely on Emily and Mum, though even Mum was struggling with her health half the time.
What about a social life? Emily asked one day. Not talking about romance just coffee, a walk, or a film. I havent even got any girlfriends.
Friends are no good for a married woman, trust me, Mum insisted. Bad influence! Leave recreation for Sundays with your husband, if you must.
This isnt the city, Emily, she added pointedly. One wrong move and tongues will wag so much youll never live it down! Remember, youre a teacher you need to set an example!
It was ironclad logic for Mum, but Emily wasnt about to surrender her sense of self. She did her share, but she demanded fairness if she was expected to toil, then everyone else would as well.
Works a team effort! shed insist. No one sits out while I break my back!
Two and a half years into marriage, and Emily hadnt changed. She expected equality and gave back as good as she got. If she didnt see fairness, she made it clear she wouldnt stand for it.
That Emilys a handful! Mum would exclaim whenever she sent Emily to the shop. Always got a comeback enough to give you a headache!
She doesnt even respect me! Dad would complain. Wont fetch my pillow, wont bring my water just brushes me off, saying shes busy!
This isnt right, Max, James piped in. Shes out of line. None of us should have to put up with this!
We worried that if Emily had children, shed become even more stubborn. Eventually, James suggested a plan: Id take Emily into the centre for a walk, then send her back home alone so the family could have a word with her.
If she didnt take it on board, theyd lock her in the cellar, tell the school shed gone on holiday, and give her a month to reflect. They were convinced this would fix her.
So I did as we planned. While I stalled Emily outside, my family readied themselves at home, waiting for my signal.
But I was too late.
The garden gate stood as usual, but the front door was justgone, as if someone had carted it off. Inside, James sat on the hallway floor crying, clutching a broken arm. I yanked his phone from his jacket, dialled for an ambulance, and shouted at him to give them our address.
Among the splinters of furniture, Dad was sprawled out cold, but breathing. In the kitchen, Mum sat dazed on the floor with a spectacular bruise forming on her face, clutching the snapped remains of the huge rolling pin she usually reserved for Christmas baking.
Across the table, Emily was calmly drinking tea.
Darling, she looked up at me, have you come for your turn?
N-no, I stuttered.
Then I dont know what to offer you how about a pinch of fairness for household relations?
You couldve given us some warning! I blurted. You nearly
Dont worry, I know my limits. Everyone got what they brought to the fight, thats all. And your mum ran into the door herself.
So what now? How do we carry on after this? I croaked.
I imagine well live together. In harmony. With respect. And dont get ideas about splitting up Im expecting. My child will grow up with their father.
All I could manage was, Alright, love.
Once everyone was patched up, the family rules changed and finally, peace settled over the house. Nobody ever tried to bully or belittle anyone again.
If theres anything I learned, its this: try to break someones spirit, and youll only break your home. Respect goes both ways and a real family is built on fairness, not fear.
