I went to a restaurant to meet my fiancés parents for the first time, but what they did made me call off the wedding
I assumed meeting my fiancés parents would just be another minor hurdle on the way to our shiny English future. But after that fateful dinner, I learnt far more about Williams world than I ever wanted. By the end of the evening, there was nothing left to do but call off the wedding.
Id never thought of myself as the sort to cancel a wedding. But life has a funny way of making you do the things you least expect, doesnt it?
Usually, Im the kind who likes to make big choices only after a round-table with my closest friends and family, ideally over a cuppa. But this time, I knew what I had to do before anyone else could talk sense into me.
I knew the wedding had to be cancelled, because what happened that night at the restaurant wasnt something I could ever have predicted.
Before I get into the grim details, lets rewind a bit and chat about William, my ill-fated fiancé. We met at work when hed just joined as a junior manager in accounts. I couldnt quite put my finger on it, but there was something about him that immediately caught my eye.
William looked like hed just walked off the cover of GQtall, well-groomed blond hair, warm smile, and the kind of dry wit that had everyone in the office eating out of his hand. He became the darling of the department in under a week, and before long, our coffee breaks became suspiciously synchronised.
We officially started dating about seven weeks after he joined, and honestly, I thought he was everything Id ever wanted in a bloke. Confident, charming, sensible, practicalthe sort you want on your side if you ever find yourself fighting with a self-checkout in Tesco. Which a clumsy woman like me needed, frankly.
Our relationship took off faster than the last train from Paddington. Too fast, maybe, but hindsights a wonderful thing, isnt it? William proposed just six months in, and caught up in the giddy excitement, I said yes without a single doubt.
He seemed perfect, except for one little niggle: Id never met his family. They lived in another county, and there was always some reason or other why we couldnt pop down. But once the engagement news broke, his folks insisted on meeting me.
Theyre going to adore you, William assured me, giving my hand a squeeze. Ive booked us a table at that fancy new place in the city centre for Friday evening.
The next few days were spent in a haze of panic. What on earth was I meant to wear? What if they thought I was some sort of gold-digging Jezebel? What if they insisted William drop me faster than a mug on a tile floor?
I swear I tried on half my wardrobe before I settled on a sensible black dress. Swish, but nothing too here for the inheritance.
Friday, I left work early to get readyno make-up, my trusty black heels, miniature handbag, and a hairdo that screamed effortless (it was, in fact, anything but). William collected me soon after.
You look wonderful, love! he grinnedthough, to be honest, hed have probably said the same if Id turned up in wellies. Ready?
I nodded, my nerves jangling. I just hope they like me.
Theyll love you, sweetheart, he said, giving my hand another comforting squeeze. Youre everything any parent could want for their child. Absolute catch.
That helped a bit, but little did I know the drama that awaited.
A short drive later, we walked into the restaurantit sparkled! Crystal chandeliers, piano tinkling away in the background, even the water glasses looked like heirlooms.
We spotted Williams parents at a table by the window. His mum, Penelope, a petite woman who looked like shed just stepped out of a glossy magazine, rose to greet us. Meanwhile, his dad, Gerald, exuded the warmth of a London rush hour.
Oh, William! Penelope gushed the second we reached her, quite artfully ignoring me. She hugged him tightly, then stood back, squinting at him. Youre looking thin! Have you been eating properly?
I hovered, third-wheeling my own date, until William finally remembered I existed.
Mum, Dad, this is Grace, my fiancée.
Penelope glanced me up and down, then produced a smile that never came near her eyes. Ah yes, lovely to meet you, darling, she said, with all the sincerity of a reality TV apology.
Gerald offered a grunt, which was honestly a step up.
We all sat down, and I bravely attempted small talk. Its lovely to finally meet you. William speaks about you all the time.
Before they could reply, our waiter glided over with menus. As I scanned mine, I noticed Penelope leaning in to William.
Darling, she stage-whispered, would you like Mummy to order for you? I know all those choices can be overwhelming.
Excuse me, what? William was thirty, not three! But, to my horror, he meekly nodded. Instead of telling her to stop treating him like a toddler, he just let her at it.
Thank you, Mum. You know what I like.
I tried to make eye contact with William, but his attention was firmly fixed on his mother, who proceeded to order the most expensive dishes on the menu for them bothlobster, rack of lamb, and a bottle of wine that cost more than my monthly train ticket.
When it was my turn, I picked the least fancy pasta dish. Frankly, my appetite had legged it by this point.
While we waited for the food, Gerald decided to join the chat at last.
So, Grace, he said in a tone that suggested hed rather be on the golf course. What are your intentions towards our William?
I nearly choked on my water. Pardon?
Well, youre planning to marry him, arent you? How do you propose to look after him? You do realise he needs all his shirts ironed and cant possibly sleep without his special pillow.
Desperately, I looked at William, certain hed jump in and put a stop to this madness. But he just sat there, mute.
Er, we havent really got round to talking about that yet, I stammered.
You must learn quickly, dear! Penelope piped up. Our William is very particular. Dinner at six sharp every day, and heaven help anyone who serves him broccoli. He wont touch it.
Wonderful. Exactly what every gal dreams ofmarrying a grown man whose parents think hes still in prep school.
Thankfully, the food arrived, saving me from further inquisition. But watching Penelope cut up Williams steak for him and Gerald remind him to use his napkin was almost too much.
Unsurprisingly, my pasta just sat there, going soggy, as I started piecing everything together. It all made sense nowevery time Id suggested a weekend with his folks, William had wriggled out of it.
As dessert loomed, I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the ordeal was nearly over. Ha. Thats when things really took a turn.
The waiter set down the bill, and Penelope scooped it up before anyone else could so much as blink. For a moment, I thought she was being polite, but then she turned, beaming.
Well, darling, I think its fair we split it 50/50, dont you? she chirped. Were all family now, after all.
Family, my foot. Theyd ordered enough food to launch a ship, eaten like minor royalty, while I picked at bargain-basement pasta. Now I was expected to go halves? Not a chance.
Barely believing it, I looked to William, silently pleading with him to step in. Surely now was his moment but no. He refused to meet my gaze.
That was it. The penny, as they say, dropped. It wasnt just about a hefty dinner bill. This was my future if I married William: Id be marrying his parents too.
I took a deep breath and calmly rose from my seat.
Actually, I said, my voice steady, Ill just cover my own meal, thanks ever so.
William and his parents stared in astonishment as I pulled out my purse, counted out enough cash to cover my pasta and a generous tip, and left it on the table.
But Penelope gasped, were family!
I met her gaze. No, were not, I replied pointedly. And we wont be.
I turned to William at lasthe finally looked me in the eye, thoroughly confused.
William, I said quietly, I do care about you. But this this isnt the future I want. Im not looking for someone to mother. I want a partner. And I dont think youre ready for that.
I slipped off the ring and set it on the table.
Sorry, but the weddings off.
Then I picked up my bag, walked out into the crisp English night, and felt a tremendous weight lift off my shoulders.
Did it hurt? Of course. Was I worried about bumping into William at work? Honestly, its not ideal. But I knew Id made the right call.
The next morning, I returned my wedding dress.
As the woman at the shop processed the refund, she gave me a sympathetic look and asked if I was all right.
I smiled, lighter than Id felt in months. You know what? I will be.
Saying it out loud made me realise that sometimes the bravest thing to do is walk away from whats not right for you. Yes, its painful, but long-term? Its the wisest decision youll ever make.
Wouldnt you agree?
