Determined to Be Happy No Matter What
In her final year at university, Emily fell in lovenot with just any boy, but with the most sought-after guy on campus. The girls in her dorm whispered about how posh Daniel was, how effortlessly handsome, how his family practically dripped money.
Emily was pretty too, bright and spirited, but their worlds couldnt have been more different. Her parents were working-class, while Daniels family lived in a world of privilege. She knew the divide, but love, stubborn and reckless, refused to care.
“Em, youre wasting your time with Daniel,” her flatmates warned. “Hes got his head in the clouds, acts like hes too good for the rest of us. Even his mates are all from his crowd.”
“So what? I know my worth,” Emily shot back. “Im not some airhead. Ive got looks, brainsI can hold my own in any conversation.”
“Sure, sure. Just dont come crying to us later. Bet his mum and dad are the type whod look down their noses at you.”
“Oh, stop scaring me,” Emily murmured, paling slightly. “Its meeting his parents that terrifies me especially his mother.”
When Daniel first noticed her, Emily never imagined hed feel the same. But to her surprise, he dideffortlessly, even eagerly. He asked her out first, took her to the cinema.
They dated nearly all year, and as summer break loomed, Daniel dropped the bombshell.
“Em, were going to meet my parents on Saturday. Mums been pestering meWho is she? Whats she like?”
“Oh God, Danielthats so sudden! Im not ready!”
“Relax. Theyre just people. Dads quiet, barely says a word, but Mum well, shes a force of nature. Loves asking questions. But youll be fine,” he said with a grin.
Emily was certain theyd marryif she could just win his parents over. The invitation to dinner was official now, and her nerves were frayed. Determined not to embarrass herself, she spent two days cramming etiquette books, rehearsing table manners.
Saturday arrived. Daniel met her, and they walked to his parents sleek London flat. Her stomach twisted at the thought of facing his mother.
“Hello,” Emily managed as she stepped inside, meeting the sharp-eyed gaze of Daniels muma striking woman who smiled, and Emily dared to hope.
“Hello, love. Im Margaret Whitmore. Daniel, take her coat.”
At the table sat Daniels father, Richard, stern and silent, giving only a curt nod. Emily sat straight-backed, elbows off the table, wielding her knife and fork with practised precision. She barely ate, thoughtoo aware that at any moment, she might be questioned. Speaking with a full mouth was unforgivable.
But nerves betrayed her. Her fork slipped, clattering silently onto the plush cream carpet. She flinched, shoulders hunching, eyes darting to Margaret. Daniel laughed outright.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
Margaret only smiled. “Daniel, thats no way to treat your girl. Fetch her a clean fork.”
“Alright, Mum,” he muttered, scooping it up before disappearing into the kitchen.
“Emily, love, relax. This isnt Buckingham Palace,” Margaret said warmly. “Eat properly, or Ill think you hate my cooking.”
“Oh, no! Its lovely. I justDaniel said you had a housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins?”
“We do,” Margaret admitted. “But today, I cooked myself.”
“Why?”
Margaret laughed. “Why else? I had to impress my future daughter-in-law.”
Emily blinked. Was she joking?
“So its not just me putting on a show today?” she blurted. “Ive been terrified!”
“Seems we both were,” Margaret chuckled. “But Daniel didnt disappoint. Right, Richard?”
Richard nodded. “Course not, darling.”
The evening turned out better than Emily dared hope. She relaxed, even chatted easily with Margaret. Two weeks later, she and Daniel filed for a marriage license. The wedding came two months after.
“Daniel, where will we live?” she asked.
“Not sure. But Mum and Dad have been whispering”
The answer came at the reception. His parents handed them keys to a one-bed flattwo floors below theirs in the same building.
Emily was overjoyed. Her family, beaming, clinked glasses. “There is a God,” her mum whispered. “Youve got your own roof over your head.”
She wanted to graduate with Daniel, convinced nothing but blue skies lay ahead. But in their final year, Emily discovered she was pregnant. Thrilled but nervous, she told him.
“Daniel, Im so happywere having a baby! I just need to finish uni on time”
His face darkened. “A baby? Were students, Em! Living off my parents! I thought wed have a few years just for us.”
She froze, tears welling.
“Look,” he said coldly, “I dont want this kid. Were too young for nappies and sleepless nights.”
“You want me to? No. Never.” She fled, sobbing, straight into Margaret downstairs.
“Emily! Whatsoh, love, come inside.”
Settled on the sofa, Margaret pressed a glass of water into her hands. “Out with it.”
Between shaky breaths, Emily spilled everything.
Margarets face hardened. “Youre right to keep it. Men dont get a say in this. How far along?”
“Eight weeks.”
“Youll graduate in time. Go eatMrs. Higgins will fix you tea. Ill deal with Daniel.”
Whatever she said worked. He returned sheepishly, apologised, and led Emily home.
“Thank you,” Emily whisperednot to him, but to Margaret, who smiled.
They made up. Emily graduated, gave birth to a son. Margaret and Richard doted on the baby; Daniel was indifferent.
He got a job; Emily stayed home. But Daniel started coming back late, reeking of beerthen perfume.
“Daniel, are you cheating?” He hesitated, muttered, then walked out.
That evening, she confronted Margaret.
“Emily, dont be hasty. Maybe its a phase”
“No. Im taking my son to my mums.”
“Dont be daft. Stay with us. Mrs. Higgins will help. Get a jobkeep busy. Youll feel like yourself again.”
Tears spilled. “Thank you. I just I deserve to be happy. Ive decided that much.”
Margaret squeezed her hand. “You will be.”
Five years later, Emily remarrieda colleague, James. They live happily with their son and daughter. Margaret and Richard adore their grandchildren, summers spent at their countryside cottage.
And Emily? Shes happy. Against all odds, she made sure of it.
