In her final year at university, Emily fell in lovenot with just any boy, but with a handsome, well-to-do young man named Oliver, whom all the girls on campus admired. He came from a wealthy family, while Emily, though pretty and clever, was from a working-class background. She knew their worlds were different, but love cared little for such things.
“Emily, youre wasting your time with that Oliver,” her dormmates warned. “He knows his worth and looks down on most people. He only mixes with his own kind.”
“Well, so do I,” Emily retorted. “Im no foolIm smart, I have good looks, and I can hold my own in any conversation.”
“Dont say we didnt warn you,” they sighed. “His parents are probably the sort youd need an invitation just to approach.”
“Oh, dont scare me,” Emily murmured, paling slightly. “Its his mother Im really afraid of”
At first, she never imagined Oliver would return her feelings, but to her surprise, he didwithout her even having to try. He asked her to the cinema first, and soon they were inseparable. They spent nearly their entire final year together, and as the holidays approached, Oliver announced:
“Emily, were going to meet my parents this Saturday. Mums been pestering meWho is she? Whats she like?”
“Oh, Oliver, so suddenly? I dont feel ready!”
“Dont be silly. Theyre just like anyone elseFathers quiet, but Mums the opposite. She loves asking questions. But dont worry,” he said with a grin.
Emily had no doubt they would marryshe just had to impress his parents. She studied etiquette for two days straight, terrified of making a mistake. When Saturday arrived, Oliver met her, and they walked to his familys flat together. Her heart pounded as she stepped inside.
“Hello,” she managed, forcing a smile as Olivers mother, a striking woman named Margaret, greeted her warmly.
“Hello, dear. Im Margaret. Oliver, take her inside”
At the table sat Olivers father, Henry, who gave a curt nod. Emily sat straight, elbows off the table, handling her knife and fork with precision. She ate little, remembering that speaking with a full mouth was improper. Yet, nerves got the better of herher fork slipped and clattered onto the thick Persian rug. She froze, eyes darting to Margaret, while Oliver laughed.
“Im sorry,” she muttered.
But Margaret only smiled. “Oliver, youre a dreadful host. Fetch her a clean fork.”
He complied, still chuckling.
“Emily, dear, relax,” Margaret said kindly. “This isnt a royal banquet. Eat properly, or Ill think you dislike my cooking.”
“Oh, no! Its lovely. I just thoughtOliver said you had a housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins.”
“We do,” Margaret admitted. “But today, I wanted to cook myselfI had to impress my future daughter-in-law.”
Emily blinked. “So today wasnt just my test?”
Margaret laughed. “Seems not! But Oliver hasnt disappointed us. Right, Henry?”
“Certainly, dear,” he agreed.
The meeting went well, and soon Emily relaxed, chatting freely with Margaret. Two weeks later, she and Oliver registered their marriage, and two months after that, they wed.
“Oliver, where will we live?” Emily asked.
“Im not sure, but my parents have been whispering about something”
At the reception, they received their answerhis parents gifted them a flat two floors below theirs.
Emily was overjoyed. Her own mother, visiting for the wedding, clasped her hands. “There is a God in heaven after all! Youve a roof over your head, my girl.”
Emily hoped to graduate alongside her husband, believing nothing but blue skies lay ahead. But in their fifth year, she discovered she was expecting. Overjoyed yet anxious, she told Oliver.
“Oliver, Im so happywere going to have a baby! I just hope I can still finish my studies in time.”
His face darkened. “A baby? Were still students, living off my parents! I thought wed have a few years just for us.”
Emily stiffened, tears welling.
“In short,” he said flatly, “I dont want it. I wont waste my youth on nappies.”
“You want me to?” She choked, then fled in tears, nearly colliding with Margaret downstairs.
“Emily! Whatsoh, goodness, come inside.”
Once settled, Emily sobbed out the truth.
Margarets jaw tightened. “Youre doing no such thing. Men know nothing. How far along?”
“Eight weeks.”
“Then youll graduate in time. Eat something, and Ill deal with my son.”
What Margaret said, Emily never knew, but Oliver soon apologized. They reconciled, and after graduating, she gave birth to a son. His parents doted on the boy, though Oliver remained distant.
He found work, while Emily stayed home. But soon, he came home late, reeking of drinkand eventually, of another womans perfume.
“Are you cheating?” she demanded.
He flinched, muttered something, and left.
That evening, she confided in Margaret.
“Dont be hasty. Maybe its just a phase”
“No. He doesnt deny it. Im taking my son to my mothers.”
“Nonsense. Youll stay here. We wont lose our grandson. Mrs. Higgins will help when you return to work. You must keep busyfor your sake.”
Emily swallowed tears. “Thank you. I just I want to be happy. Ive decided that, no matter what.”
“Good girl. You will be.”
Five years later, Emily remarrieda colleague named Jamesand now lived happily with their daughter and her son. Margaret and Henry doted on their grandchildren, summers spent at their country cottage. And Emily, at last, was content.
