Your weddings happening, but I wont be invited, she snapped, not looking up from her phone.
Youre kidding! Youve forgotten the council bill again? Gail Parker hurled the invoices onto the kitchen table, scattering them across the floor.
Gail, I told you Im held up at work, her husband, Colin, said, his shoulders slumped. Tomorrow Ill have it sorted.
Tomorrow! Always tomorrow! The moneys due today!
Dont shout, love. Chloes sleeping!
Chloe isnt sleeping, shes glued to her phone, as usual!
Gail stormed into her daughters room. Twentyfouryearold Chloe lay on the bed, face lit by the glow of her smartphone, a faint smile frozen on her lips.
Chloe, you coming for dinner? Gail asked.
Silence.
Chloe!
Yeah, the girl mumbled, not lifting her head.
Come on, will you eat or not?
I dont know.
Gail sighed and returned to the kitchen. When Chloe was little they were inseparable the girl would burst in from nursery with a hug, spilling stories about everything shed seen. Then school, university, and now a stranger lived in the spare room, barely speaking to anyone.
Half an hour later Chloe shuffled back into the kitchen, perched at the table, still typing on her phone.
Chloe, could you put the phone down while we eat? Gail pleaded. Lets have a proper chat.
About what?
Hows work? Anything new?
Fine.
And Max? Are you still seeing him?
Chloe glanced up, a flash of irritation in her eyes.
Mum, Im twentyfour. I dont have to report my love life to you.
Im not asking for a report. Just curious.
Yes, were still together. Thats it.
Gail poured herself tea, wanting to ask more but fearing another sharp retort.
By the way, Chloe suddenly set her phone aside, the weddings on. In May.
Gail froze, tea halfway to her lips.
A wedding? Youre getting married?
Yes. Max proposed, I said yes.
Chloe! Gail leapt up, trying to hug her. Darling, this is huge! Why didnt you tell us earlier?
When? He asked me yesterday.
But you could have mentioned it this morning! Or at least dropped a hint!
I forgot.
Gail sank back into her chair. Forgetting. Her daughter had forgotten to tell her mother about the engagement.
All right, she forced a smile. The important thing is youre happy. Whens the wedding? Where? Anything I can help with?
In May. We havent set a date yet. Itll be at a restaurant.
And the dress? We could go together to pick it out! Remember how you used to stare at my wedding photos as a kid, saying you wanted a dress just like mine?
Mum, Ive already chosen one. I went with Maxs mother.
His mum?
Yes. She paid for it, so we went together.
Gail felt a sting in her heart. A wedding dress every girl imagines picking it out with her mother. But Chloe had gone with her future motherinlaw.
I could have gone too, she whispered. We could have done it together
Why? Youd still argue. Youd want something simple, and Linda Whitaker would push for something extravagant.
I dont want simple! I want you to have a beautiful dress!
Chloe rolled her eyes.
Mum, enough. The dress is bought. End of story.
What about the guests? How many are we inviting? I need to make a list for our side
No need. Lindas already handled that.
But Im your mother! I should be part of the planning!
Why? Lindas got the best venue, a top MC, a brilliant photographer. Shes got the contacts, the money, the experience. What can you do? Call the village hall and ask for an accordion band?
The words cut like a knife. Gails face went pale.
How can you say that?
Just the truth. You have no money, no connections, no taste. Linda has all that. So why should we bother?
Because Im your mother
Because what? That gives you a right to meddle where you dont belong?
Gail rose, fled the kitchen, closed the bedroom door, and collapsed onto the bed, tears carving tracks down her cheeks, untouched.
Colin peered in a few minutes later.
Gail, whats wrong?
Chloes getting married.
Really? Well, thats good news! Why are you crying?
Because Im not needed there, Colin. Do you understand? My own daughter thinks I have no place at her wedding.
You cant be serious!
Gail recounted the argument. Colins brow furrowed deeper with each detail.
That brat! Ill talk to her right now!
Dont. Youll only make it worse.
You cant just stand by while she insults you! Shes your daughter! Youve given her everything your whole life!
Please, stop yelling. Im exhausted.
Colin wrapped his arms around her and they sat in silence.
The next morning Gail rose with a heavy head. A sleepless night had left her mind replaying yesterdays fight. Chloe had already left for work, leaving a dirty mug on the table.
Gail dialed her friend, Tom.
Tom, can I stay over at yours?
Of course! Whats happened?
Ill tell you when I get there.
They met at a café near Toms flat. Gail ordered tea and spilled the whole story.
Tom shook his head.
The younger generation, eh? No respect, no decency!
Tom, maybe Im right. Maybe I really dont get weddings, restaurants, all that stuff.
Youre a mother! You dont have to understand the details. You just need to be there, supportive, joyful! As for Linda, let her foot the bill if she wants. Youre still the main person!
Chloe doesnt think that.
Then tell her: either you help with the planning or you dont come at all.
Gails breath caught.
Not come to my own daughters wedding? Tom, youre mad!
What else can you do? She doesnt value you! Let her see what its like to go without her mother.
No, I cant. Its her day, the most important day of her life.
Toms voice hardened. Shes arranging it without you, Gail. Youre letting her walk all over you.
Gail trudged back home, Toms words echoing. Could she really let her daughter trample her?
That evening Chloe returned late. Gail heard her slip into the bedroom and gathered the courage to knock.
Yes? a voice called from inside.
Gail entered. Chloe was perched at her laptop.
Chloe, I need to talk.
Im busy.
Its important.
Chloe turned in her chair.
Fine.
Gail sat on the edge of the bed.
I heard you say the wedding will happen, but I wont be needed. Is that true?
Chloes brow furrowed. I didnt say that.
You did. Not directly, but thats what it meant.
Enough, Mum! Ill have you at the wedding, whether you like it or not.
As a guest?
Yes, as a guest.
What about being the motherofthebride?
Whats the difference?
Gail felt her throat tighten.
The motherofthebride is the one who blesses the couple, gives the toast, hugs the bride before the ceremony. A guest just sits in a corner, sips champagne.
Its oldfashioned, Chloe snapped. Now its all about Instagram likes and perfect aesthetics, not your sentimental speeches.
So Im outdated?
Chloe stood, shaking her head. Im done with this. Come to the wedding or dont. I dont care.
You dont care whether Im there?
I do. I just dont want you making a scene.
Gail rose, tears blurring her vision. Youre saying Im a burden.
Dont. Im tired of your drama. Im not asking for your charity. I just want a beautiful wedding.
Gails voice cracked. I can give love, support, be there.
I dont need that, Chloe shouted. I need a proper wedding, like normal people have.
Normal? Gail whispered, feeling shattered.
Chloe grabbed her bag and lunged for the door. Im moving in with Max. I cant live here any longer.
Why?
Because youre always gloomy, always complaining. I cant stand it.
Gails heart pounded as Chloe slammed the door. Colin found her in the hallway, his face grave.
Im going to kill her, he muttered low. How dare she speak to you like that?
Leave her alone, Gail whispered. Shes ashamed of us, thats all.
Shamed? We raised her for twentyfour years, gave up everything for her!
Please, quiet down. My head hurts.
Gail curled up on the sofa, Colin sitting beside her, his hand on her shoulder. The room was thick with unspoken grief.
A week later Gail compiled a guest list, trimming it to twenty names, crossing out distant relatives and old friends. She handed it to Chloe.
Fine, Chloe said without looking up. Send it to Linda; shell add it to the master list.
Should I call her myself? Gail asked.
Why bother? Shes busy.
Because were now family, Chloe snapped. Not really, though.
Gail sent the list. An hour later a terse reply arrived: List received. Invitations will follow. Linda. No warmth, just business.
Months slipped by. No invitations came. When Gail asked, Chloe shrugged. There wont be any. Theyll just tell everyone the time and place.
But invitations are tradition!
Its an old tradition. Nobody does that now.
Can I at least see a picture of the dress?
Later, at the wedding.
Please, just
Enough, Mum. I have a lot to do.
Gail withdrew, each conversation turning into a torment.
Desperate, she called Lindas office. Hello?
This is Gail Parker, Chloes mother.
Good morning. How may I help you?
Id like to meet, perhaps have coffee, discuss the wedding.
There was a pause. Ms. Parker, Im swamped with preparations. I dont need assistance.
I can help! Im the mother of the bride.
Im aware, but Im handling everything. If you have concerns, speak to Chloe directly.
Gails hands trembled. But I want to be involved.
Im sorry, but my role is clear. Goodbye.
The line clicked dead. Linda, too, considered Gail redundant.
That night Gail confronted Chloe.
Sit down, please.
Im in a hurry, Ive got a meeting with Max.
Just five minutes.
Chloe slumped into the chair, irritated.
I get it, you want a perfect wedding. I know Linda can do more than I can. But you told me Id be useless at my own wedding. Is that true?
Chloes eyes narrowed. I never said that.
You did. Not outright, but the meaning was there.
Im done with this! Youll be there as a guest, thats it!
Just a guest?
Yes. Not motherofthebride.
The difference is huge. The motherofthebride stands beside the couple, reads a toast, gives a blessing. A guest simply watches.
Its outdated. All that matters now is the look, the likes, the perfect Instagram story.
So Im old-fashioned?
Exactly. Youre stuck in the past.
Gail felt the world tilt. Then Im a failure.
Youre not a failure. You just dont have the resources Linda does.
Exactly. Thats why shes in charge.
Chloes voice rose. She can pay half the bill, you cant even afford a decent holiday!
Gails face flushed. We survive on Colins £300 a week and my modest pension. We could take a loan if we had to.
No loans, Chloe snapped. Lindas already sorted everything.
Gail stood, shaking. So Im a poor mother with no place at my own daughters wedding?
Dont make this a drama, Mum. Im not saying youre poor, just that you have less.
Then Im useless?
Not useless. Just different.
The room fell silent. Chloe gathered her bag.
Enough, she said, voice trembling. Im leaving.
She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Gail collapsed onto a chair, sobbing. Colin entered, wrapping his arms around her.
We wont go, she whispered through tears. We wont attend.
Right, Colin nodded. And I wont either.
Later that week, a sudden knock sounded. Gail opened the door to find Chloe, eyes red, hair disheveled.
Mum, she whispered.
What happened?
Chloe collapsed onto the sofa, shaking. Max cheated on me with my friend. I found out today.
Gail held her, stroking her hair. Itll be alright, love.
The weddings in ten days. Everythings paid for. Guests are set. Linda says itll go ahead.
The wedding can be called off, Gail said gently.
Lindas invested a fortune. Shell push it through.
Linda will survive. You, my dear, are what matters.
Chloes tears fell harder. I was wrong, Mum. I was ashamed of us, thought we werent good enough. Linda and Max seemed perfect, so I chased that.
Its okay now, Gail whispered. Im here, and I love you, no matter what.
Chloe clung to her mother, finally breaking down. Colin entered, saw the scene, and gave a quiet smile, then stepped back.
The next morning Chloe called Max, told him the wedding was off. She then phoned Linda, thanked her for the help but said shed no longer be marrying.
Linda tried to persuade her with money and reputation, but Chloe stood firm.
Im done living someone elses life, she said. I need to find my own.
She asked if she could stay with her parents until she found a flat. This is my home. Stay as long as you need, Gail replied, tears of relief spilling over.
They sat together at the kitchen table, tea steaming, finally speaking without accusation. For the first time in years, they understood each other.
Love, not money or status, had finally bridged the gap. The wedding never happened, but the bond between mother and daughter was restored, stronger than any ceremony could have been.
