What do you mean, you dont want to change your surname? my mother-in-law shouted at the registry office.
Lucy never really wanted to get married. But when she was nineteen, she found out she was pregnant by Josh, a boy from her year whom shed been seeing for three years. She felt trappedshe couldnt bear the thought of her child being left without a father.
Even though Josh was older than Lucy, he was hopelessly immature and a real mummys boy. Still, he did take responsibilityhe agreed to marry her and help raise the child. So they began planning a wedding.
Lucy would have preferred to have a simple ceremony, but her family insisted on a grand event. She couldnt understand why anyone would waste such ridiculous amounts of money on something for other people, when they could spend it on everything the baby would need. But nobody paid her any heed. The restaurant, the wedding dress, and even the guest list were decided for her. By whom? Joshs mother and Lucys own sister!
When they sent her for the dress fitting, she simply didnt want to go. In her mind, she pictured a monstrositya dress covered in endless frills and rhinestones. Her sister and Joshs mum were not exactly known for their sense of style. When her relatives heard she didnt want to go, they called her ungrateful and flew into a rage. But Lucy didnt careshe had her own worries: A-levels, exams, and preparing for the baby.
At the registry office, she wore a simple white dress that suited her and made her feel comfortable. Thats when everything started to kick off.
Neither side of the family knew Lucy had decided to keep her own surname. Josh knewhe didnt argue. But his mum went absolutely spare and started yelling so everyone could hear:
What on earth do you mean, you dont want to change your surname?
Lucy just smiled faintly and quietly stepped aside. Shed need to save her strengthtomorrow was the proper wedding party in Joshs village, with all his extended relatives. Her nerves couldnt take much more. The marriage only lasted a few years. Josh turned out to be a terrible husband, and an even worse father. Every weekend, hed sit glued to the computer and ignore his family. When Lucys patience finally ran out, she packed her bags and left.
Her mother-in-law was none too pleased with the turn of events. But Lucy breathed a huge sigh of reliefat last, she felt free and truly happy.
