You know, everyone used to say that James had rotten luck when it came to his wife, but that hed drawn an even shorter straw with her parents.
So, his wife Sophie came from quite a wealthy family and, honestly, shed never had to deny herself anything. Shed gone to a top-notch university, got every bit of help she needed, the works. And after she graduated, she started work, but every pay cheque went straight into her own accountnever touched a penny for family stuff. Her dad actually loved that about herhe called it asset-buildingbut hed never miss a chance to have a dig at James for not bringing home enough himself.
You need to be the rock so my Sophie can lean on you, stand firm. What if she gets illcould you look after her properly? Do you even have enough to take her on a nice holiday abroad? hed say.
Funnily enough, money never actually seemed to be a problem for the couple themselvesthey were perfectly content muddling through together. But her dad got on Jamess case at every single get-together. It got so bad James started dreading seeing the in-laws, making up urgent things to avoid family dinners. So when her dads birthday came round, James was desperate to miss it, but Sophie all but dragged him there by the ear, sat him at the table, and told him to smiIe at all her dad’s mates whod shown up.
So, what does your son-in-law do for a living then? one of the ladies piped up out of nowhere.
Oh, just a bog-standard clerk, the birthday boy replied, full of disdain. Brings home pocket changemy Sophies the one running the whole show, looking after them both
James finally snapped. He was fed up with being ridiculed, it wore him down and really sapped his motivation.
For a start, Im not just some clerk, he shot back, Im the head of the planning department, and my wage isnt exactly spare change. And you do realise Sophie and I pay for everything together, right? I cant just become a company director overnight and buy her mansions and sports cars, but if youre so keen on the best for your daughter, why havent you helped us with a deposit for a house?
Her dad just chuckled, clearly enjoying winding James up.
Later, after the candles were blown out, the cake was cut and the tea was poured, James nipped outside for a cigarette. His father-in-law followed him out.
Not bad, he said, nodding thoughtfully. Youre definitely coming along. Youre not daft, you know your worth, and now youre finally speaking up for yourself. You cant always just sit and take itotherwise, nothing ever changes.
James realised itd all been deliberatehis father-in-law had just been testing him, pushing his buttons to see how hed react. Turns out, money wasnt half as important as being able to stand your ground and protect yourself and the people you care about. After his outburst at that party, James feltwell, he felt a bit more grown-up. And even his in-laws started looking at him in a totally different way.
