**Diary Entry – June 12th**
Our daughter is desperate to marry a layabout, and we’re horrified!
Here in our cosy little town up north, where winters drag on and people cherish the warmth of home, my husband and I have always done our best to give our daughter every advantage. But now, our hearts ache with worry—our girl is set on marrying a lad who seems good for nothing but empty promises and idleness.
My husband, Edward, and I know how hard it is to find the right one. Once, my own parents were dead against Edward. Mum feared his obsession with cars—always tinkering with some old Rover—thinking it reckless. Dad, meanwhile, dreamed of me marrying his friend’s son, a well-off engineer. But I fell for Edward head over heels. His kindness, hard work, and devotion won me over, and I defied my parents. We married, and the years proved I’d made the right choice. Together, we raised our daughter, Emily, pouring everything into her so she’d never want for anything.
Emily was always our pride—bright, driven, full of passion. Two years ago, she left for university in Manchester and met a boy called Liam. At first, we were happy for her—young love is a beautiful thing! But the more we learned about Liam, the more uneasy we grew. Now Emily’s announced she’ll marry him, and Edward and I are sick with dread—because Liam is bone-idle, and that’s no exaggeration.
We’ve seen it with our own eyes, time and again. Every summer, Emily takes odd jobs—waitressing or office work—saving up for a holiday with Liam. And him? Not a thing. In two years, he hasn’t lifted a finger to earn, not even a temp job. Emily carries the weight, while he lounges about as if it’s his due. It breaks our hearts—she deserves so much better!
Once, Liam’s parents started renovating their flat. Hoping to bond, we offered help. We brought tools, paint, wallpaper. And what did Liam do? While Edward and I scraped and pasted, he holed up in his room glued to his computer, gaming for hours. Didn’t even offer us tea. Strangers were sweating in his home, and he, a strong young man, couldn’t be bothered. It hit me like a bolt—is this really who my daughter wants to spend her life with?
Liam lives in his own world, glued to screens, barely speaking unless it’s about his games or how “everything’s rubbish.” I can’t picture Emily happy with someone like that. She’s a shining star, and he’s dragging her down into his swamp of apathy. This marriage will trap her—but how do I make her see it?
We’ve tried talking. She’s in love and won’t hear it. Every word about Liam feels like an attack to her. “You just don’t know him!” she cries, eyes brimming. I see her torn between love and reason, and it wrenches my soul. I don’t want her repeating mistakes she’ll regret forever.
Night after night, I lie awake, picturing Emily—full of hope—walking down the aisle to a man who won’t lift a finger for her. I fear she’ll sacrifice her dreams for someone too lazy to get off the sofa. How do we reach her? How do we stop her from a choice that could ruin her life? My mother’s heart screams this marriage is disaster—but I don’t know how to save her.
