Hey love, Ive got a little story for you, just the way we like our dramas, but set here in England, so you can picture it better.
Emily Brown ended up marrying James Taylor even though her mum, Margaret Whitcombe, wasnt happy about it one bit.
Sweetheart, you dont need a bloke like that, Margaret would say. What can you expect from your James? He was raised by his nan, his parents died when he was a kid, and hes stuck working in a greasy garage just a proper labourer, thats all.
Emily would snap back, Mum, James isnt to blame for his parents dying. Hes finished college, his hands are strong, he can fix anything.
Margaret would roll her eyes, Fixing metal isnt a proper job. How will you live on his wages when youre only in your fourth year at university? You still have to finish your degree. You cant rely on us forever.
Emily took these tirades with a grain of salt James was usually at work, so he didnt hear them, and Margaret kept pushing, hoping to drive a wedge between the two of them. She just couldnt stand her soninlaw.
James was a solid lad, a former soldier, and he adored Emily. She felt the same. Before the wedding he begged her, Lets stay with my nan. Its just a twobed flat, not the fourbed house your parents have, but itll do. He knew Margaret couldnt stand him, though she got along with his dad. In the Whitcombe household, Margaret was the ironfisted matriarch.
If Margaret set her mind to something, shed see it through, no matter what. Emily knew that, so she dug in her heels and mostly looked after herself. Margaret hated her independence, but she also saw a bit of herself in her daughter not all the traits, thank goodness.
Emily realised Jamess mum was a pain, but she still convinced him to stay with her parents for a spell.
James, Im still studying, youre the only earner. Itll be tight on one salary, but Mum will always help, she said.
Alright, well see, James replied.
One payday, James stopped by the supermarket to pick up a few things. Emily hadnt gotten home from her lectures yet. Margaret saw the bags and snapped, Who asked you to buy that?
I thought Emily liked that cheese, thats all, James said calmly, but she cut him off.
What are you, then? Youre not welcome here. I tolerate you only because of my daughter, and shes managed to find a bloke like you. Margarets words hit him like a slap.
James tried to keep his cool, Mrs. Whitcombe, why are you speaking to me like that? Im being respectful.
Margaret snarled, Listen up. Every pound you earn from now on goes straight to me. Ill decide how its spent groceries, bills, the lot. Got that?
James was stunned. Why should I hand over my wages? Emily and I are a family.
Dont fool yourself. Youre not a family with my daughter. Hand over the money, she demanded.
I earned that, and Ill give it to my wife, James said.
Then get out of my flat, now. I dont want to see you again, she snapped.
James left. Three days passed without a word from him. Emily was waiting, too scared to go after him, even though she knew something was off after all, she was expecting.
Not even a call, she muttered, He must be at his nans place, Anna.
Margaret gave Emily a brief version of the story, painting James as the villain, but conveniently left out that shed forced him out and demanded his pay.
Mom, youve been straight with me, right? You didnt hide anything, Emily asked, suspicious.
Im not lying to you, love, Margaret replied. Why would I?
On the fourth day, Emily decided to drive to Jamess nans house. He wasnt answering his phone.
Im heading to James, she told her mum.
Where to? Margaret asked.
To his place, hes probably at his nans, Emily said.
But if he hasnt turned up, maybe youre not needed, Margaret retorted.
No, he couldnt just walk away I dont know whats happened between you two, but youre keeping something from me. He couldnt just leave like that.
You put James on a pedestal, and you dont care about mum. Ive spent my money and energy on you both, and youre both ungrateful, Margaret snapped.
Mom, Im not complaining. Thanks for the support, but I know you cant stand James. Youre always picking on him, telling him what to do, how to live Emily sighed, grabbing her bag and coat, and bolted out.
On the way she thought, Dont act like a petulant child. No matter what mum says, I need to stay calm. Hes an adult, after all. She told herself shed sort it out with James and then be generous enough to forgive him.
When she finally got to Annas cottage, the scene shocked her. Anna opened the door with a sad, guilty look, let Emily in, and gestured to the kitchen where James sat at the table with an open bottle of vodka. Emilys jaw dropped. James never smoked or drank, yet here he was, a little tipsy, nodding at a chair across from him.
She sat down, stared into his eyes, and all the words shed rehearsed melted away, her heart tightening with pity.
What on earth could my mum have said to make him open a bottle? she whispered, then softly, James, lets go home.
No, he said loudly.
Why? she asked.
I cant live with your mother. She runs everything I do what I eat, how I speak, what I wear. Soon shell tell me how to breathe. And she wants all my earnings. I wont hand them over; we have our own life.
Emilys voice lowered, So thats why shes been so harsh.
She realised Margaret had left out the whole fight with James.
What do we do now? James asked.
I dont know, he admitted. We could stay here with my nan.
But we need money, the babys coming, theres a lot to sort out
I get paid well, can work tenhour days, maybe more, James said. But with my studies and your job, we wont be able to raise a child properly. We need food, a home, I dont want to quit my course.
No, Im not going back to my mums, James said firmly.
Maybe we should just split, Emily blurted, surprised by her own outburst.
If you cant live with me, and you cant give up your parents comfort, maybe divorce is the only option, James replied sharply.
Emily leapt up, about to dash out, when Anna called her back.
Sit down, love, calm down. Ive been listening because I knew this would end badly. Ill help you. You dont have to drop your studies. I dont have a fortune just a pension but I can share what I have, cook, watch the grandchild. Justdont think about divorce. Move in with us.
Emily took the offer. The thought of staying with her parents had always been tempting, but love for James and the baby meant more. She agreed, and James saw the relief in her eyes. Finally, she smiled, Alright, Ill stay. Where else would I be, James? He sprang up, hugged her tightly, kissed her, and Anna beamed, whispering a prayer.
Emily still had to pack her things while Margaret ranted, Youll starve with James, youll be nothing, the grandchild isnt wanted. Hell turn out as stubborn as his father. The insults were so cutting Emilys hair practically stood on end.
She lugged her suitcase onto the doorstep, James helped carry it down, and they walked past the shouted curses. Lord, even my mum Emily thought, horrified, but also relieved to have left.
Life settled for James and Emily at Annas cottage. They lived peacefully, with Anna handling the household. Emilys pregnancy went smoothly and she gave birth to a chubby baby boy, Arthur. Anna and the young parents were over the moon. Margaret never contacted them, and she didnt want the grandchild anyway. Their grandfather, however, called in secret, asking about Arthur, and Emily sent him pictures, which made him smile.
When Arthur turned three, he started nursery, despite Annas protests that she could look after him. Emily told her, Grandma, he needs to be with other kids, itll help him develop faster. You can pick him up afterwards its just down the road. And you still need your rest, were thinking of having a daughter soon, too. She laughed, feeling hopeful.
And thats where we are a happy little family, a supportive nan, and a motherinlaw wholl stay out of the way. Hope you enjoyed the drama, mate!
