“Oh, I’m nervous.” Emily stopped in front of the building.
“What, my parents?” James asked, taking her hand.
“That they won’t like me,” she admitted, looking up at him with guilty worry.
“Don’t worry. You’ll see—it’ll be fine. I love you, and I’m the one marrying you, not them. Come on.” He gently tugged her toward the entrance.
“Mum’s name is Victoria Margaret. Got it?” he reminded her.
Emily repeated it slowly.
“I’ll forget or mix it up from nerves, I just know it.”
“And Dad’s…”
“Robert Charles,” Emily blurted happily. “At least your dad’s name is simple. Where did your mum’s middle name come from? Is your granddad German?”
“Why would you think that?”
They stepped inside, and James called the lift.
“Her dad—my granddad—named her after his wife. Said she was radiant. An actress. Shame I never met her; she died young. His family had old English roots.”
The lift dinged open, and they stepped in.
“Relax. I’m right here,” James said, pulling her close.
A petite woman with a short bob answered the door. Emily thought she looked too young to be James’s mum. She smiled warmly and invited them in.
She wore flowing beige silk trousers and a crisp white blouse. In the bright hallway light, Emily noticed the fine lines on her face, betraying her age.
“Hello,” Emily said, glancing at James for guidance, but he stayed quiet. Too nervous to risk the name, she looked down.
“Come in, love. Don’t fret—no one gets my name right first go,” Victoria said kindly, and Emily smiled gratefully.
“No need to take off shoes. Robert, where are you?” she called.
A broad-shouldered man soon entered, reminding Emily of Cary Grant—not that they looked alike, but he had that charm. Next to him, Victoria seemed tiny. *He must’ve been stunning in his youth,* Emily thought.
“Robert Charles,” he introduced himself, shaking her hand. His grip was firm but warm.
“Let’s eat before it goes cold,” Victoria directed.
“James, take care of Emily,” Robert said, pouring wine.
Victoria asked Emily gentle questions, not prying, and shared stories about their family. Between the wine and easy atmosphere, Emily relaxed.
“Tell your parents not to worry—we’ll handle the wedding,” Victoria finished with a smile.
James’s family seemed perfect to Emily. Hers was different: Mum overfed guests, Dad drank too much and lectured everyone, even if no one listened. He’d snap at Mum in front of company, and Emily always felt ashamed. She’d gladly skip inviting them—but they’d be hurt. If only her parents were like James’s. Why had she agreed to marry him? They were from different worlds… Lost in thought, she missed what James said.
“What?”
“I said they like you.”
“Your parents are wonderful. I wish we could have what they do—you can see they love each other. And you. Mine… God, imagine them at the wedding.”
“Don’t fret. They won’t embarrass you. We argue too—just quieter. Speaking of, picked a dress yet? I want you to be the most beautiful bride.” He kissed her.
Emily didn’t want to shop alone, but James couldn’t see the dress. Her mum was too frugal. No, she wouldn’t ask her. That left her friend Lucy. She called her straight away.
Lucy squealed, bombarding her with questions and gossip before finally asking, “So why’d you call?”
“Will you help me pick a wedding dress?”
“You’re getting married? Brilliant! Of course!” Lucy launched into someone else’s wedding details.
“So, will you?” Emily cut in.
“Obviously. When?”
They agreed to meet at a café near the bridal shop.
*Lucy’s exhausting,* Emily sighed after hanging up. But she had no one else.
At the café, Emily arrived early. The waiter brought a menu.
“Later, thanks—I’m waiting for someone.”
He nodded and left. Lucy was late, as usual. Scanning the room, Emily froze—Robert was there, deep in conversation with a blonde. He hadn’t noticed her.
The blonde flirted, and Robert held her hands, speaking intently. Then he kissed her. A date? A mistress? Did James know? Did Victoria?
She should leave before he saw her. But she sat glued to her seat. So much for the perfect family. Though, really—who wouldn’t fall for a man like that?
“Em! Over here!” Lucy’s voice cut through the room.
Red-haired and loud, she drew stares as she wove between tables.
“Sorry! Traffic nightmare. Then I nearly snapped a heel outside!” she announced.
Robert might’ve spotted them now.
“Lucy—quiet. Everyone’s staring.”
“Let them.” She looked around.
“I have to go. Rain check on the dress shopping?” Emily stood abruptly.
“What? You called *me*! Where are you—?”
“Headache. Forgot an errand. Sorry.” She hurried out.
“I can drive you!” Lucy called, but Emily didn’t look back.
Cooling off, she called James for Victoria’s number.
“What’s wrong, love?” Victoria answered.
“Victoria Margaret… Could you help me pick a dress?”
“Of course! Tomorrow?”
Victoria had an eye for style. The shop assistants deferred to her. After three tries, the dress was chosen, then shoes. Two hours later, they left laden with bags.
“I’m knackered. Let’s have coffee,” Victoria suggested.
Back at the café, Emily checked—Robert and the blonde were gone.
“Victoria Margaret, how have you stayed married to someone like Robert? I’d have died of jealousy by now.”
Victoria chuckled. “I love him. It’s amusing, watching women swoon. I used to mind. Now I don’t. People think I’m not good enough for him. You too?”
“No! Of course not!”
“Handsome as he is, he’s hopeless at home. Doesn’t know where his socks are. At work, he’s Mr. Charisma—here, he’s a child. I lay his clothes out; he thinks he picked them.”
“Remember, love: a smart wife never lets on she’s cleverer. Make him think decisions are his. That’s the trick.”
*Still, he chose that mistress,* Emily thought. Should she mention it? No. Maybe it was just a kiss. But later, she saw them leaving a jeweller’s.
She hinted to James his family wasn’t so perfect.
“What d’you mean?”
She told him about Robert and the blonde.
“You must’ve mistaken him. Dad loves Mum.”
“It was him. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“He’d never cheat,” James said sharply.
They nearly argued. Emily backpedalled.
Before Robert’s birthday, Victoria invited them to plan gifts. James went to fetch something, leaving Emily alone with her.
“You’re fidgeting. Something on your mind?” Victoria asked.
“I… think I saw Robert with a blonde.”
Victoria’s eyes saddened, but she didn’t flinch.
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“You think I don’t know?”
“You *know*?”
“He’s cheated for years. Women always know.”
“And you’ve… forgiven him?”
“I love him,” Victoria sighed. “If I made a scene or left—what then? I grew up poor. Dad drank; Mum aged fast. I wanted out. I was pretty; Robert fell for me. Then James came. Where would I go? Back to that life? You get used to comfort. I thought of James—he adored his dad. I couldn’t take that from him. So we pretended. For him.”
“Robert’d never leave me. I know his flaws. With me, he doesn’t have to play the hero. Passion fades—friendship stays. My mum endured Dad’s drinking. Had no choice. Which is worse?”
“Robert wasn’t wealthy either. *I* made him who he is. Why should I hand him to some gold-digging blonde? Forget I said this. Don’t lose yourself in a man.”
“I couldn’t do what you’ve done.”
“I hope you never have to. James values family. But if it happens—follow your heart. Men leave, then crawl back when they miss comfort.”
Emily dwelled on her words. *Could I live like that?* Mum excused Dad’s drinking—*He’s lovely when sober.* No marriage is perfect. Now Emily knew.
The wedding was beautiful. Everyone said she was lucky to marry into such a family. Victoria and Robert looked happy. Maybe they were. Who really knew?…
