Jack had just finished university and decided that it was the perfect time to marry his first love from secondary school, Emily. Emily was lovelyyes, lovely and clever too. At that time, she was writing her dissertation for her masters. The young couple agreed theyd tie the knot as soon as she finished her thesis.
Jack decided it was best to tell his mother about the wedding, but she didnt greet the idea with much joy. His mother told him bluntly: either he would marry Lucy from next door, or hed marry no one at all. She then pressed him, asking what mattered more: his career or his heart? She dreamed of her son becoming a proper English gentleman of standinga measure of success and pride.
Lucy hailed from a wealthy family and, to make things easier, had nursed a quiet but deep crush on Jack for ages, while Jacks affections rested on Emily, whose family was not well off. Rumour had it, Emilys mum was a bit of a charactertalked about in whispers. What would the neighbours think?
I dont need another daughter-in-law, so do as you please! his mother declared with the firmness of a cathedral door.
Jack pleaded with his mother over and over, but she was unmoved. At last, she threatened: if he married Emily, she would curse them both. Jack was properly shaken. He kept seeing Emily for another half a year, but their love faded away as quietly as autumn fog.
In the end, Jack married Lucy, the girl who had pined for him, though they agreed not to have a wedding celebration. Jack didnt want Emily catching sight of the happy photographs pinned up somewhere. Since Lucys family was well-to-do, Jack moved into their vast house in Kent. Lucys parents helped his career along, easing his way with influential friends. Yet, Jack was never truly content.
Jack didnt want children. When Lucy realised shed never change his mind, she filed for divorce herself. By then, Jack was forty, and Lucy thirty-eight. In time, Lucy remarried, had a child, and found happiness at last.
Jack often dreamt of being with Emily and searched for her everywhere, but she had vanished entirelyas if swept away by a London fog. Only later did he hear from an old friend that, after their breakup, Emily married the first man she met, who turned out to be a brute. He beat her so badly she didnt survive.
After this, Jack returned to the aging flat his parents had left him in Manchester, drinking himself into oblivion. He spent endless evenings staring at the faded photo of Emily, never able to forgive his own mothernot even in dreams stitched with the pale threads of regret.
