I couldnt quite wrap my head around why my daughter was in such a mad dash to marry her boyfriend after, quite literally, only a month of knowing him. Honestly, at first I half-expected she might be about to announce a surprise grandchildbut no. Apparently, there was no bundle of joy on the way. According to my daughter, they simply adored each other so much that even an extra day spent apart was sheer agony. Well, what can you say to that? Not everyone is lucky enough to find that sort of whirlwind romance, so secretly I was rather pleased for her.
They went all-in straight awaywedding plans began at the speed of light. The grooms family chipped in, as did we, and before I knew it, we were knee-deep in place cards and floral arrangements.
The big day arrived and, as expected, the entire congregation wore their happiest facesexcept for the grooms mother, who looked as if shed spent the past week watching tragic BBC dramas on repeat. At first, I put it down to the classic future mother-in-law blues, and I couldnt really be bothered to press the issue. Still, her gloomy face haunted me, so after the cake cutting, I wandered over to find out what was wrong.
At first, she was silent, but then suddenly she looked up, eyes brimming with tears, and let rip with a story fit for a soap opera.
This wedding shouldnt be happening, she sniffled. My son is going to make your daughter miserable. He doesnt love herhe never has. This is all about revenge. His ex-girlfriend dumped him after shacking up with his best mate. Now hes decided the best cure is to get married on the rebound. I begged him not to go through with it, but you know what young people are like. They never listen.
Honestly, at the time I thought shed lost the plot. Id asked my daughter several times if everything was all right between them; every time, she was bubbly and assured me everything was just tickety-boo. I decided the grooms mum was just a bit distraught at losing her darling boy to married life.
Fast-forward two months, and my daughter came crashing through the front door, red-eyed and suitcase in hand. Turns out her husband had handed her divorce papers. He was still desperately hung up on his ex, claimed my daughter was all wrong for him, and that the whole marriage had just been his way of settling scores. Now Im left wallowing in guilt, wondering why I didnt call halt to the whole farce when I had the chanceespecially since the warning signs were right there, plain as day.
