**Diary Entry**
*Wednesday, 15th October*
“You’re not really family,” my soon-to-be daughter-in-law said when I brought flowers on the day they submitted their marriage notice. The words stung, but I swallowed my hurt and forced a smile.
“Margaret, you’re home early from work,” Mrs. Thompson from next door remarked as I reached our block of flats. “Feeling poorly?”
“No, Mrs. Thompson, I’m quite well. Just had some urgent matters to attend to,” I replied, adjusting my handbag on my shoulder.
“Well, thats good. At our age, you never know. My blood pressure spiked yesterdaythought Id have to ring for an ambulance.”
I nodded absently, barely registering her complaints. My mind was fixed on one thinggetting to the city centre in time. William hadnt given an exact hour, but I knew young couples usually did these things early in the day.
The bus crawled through traffic, and I kept checking my watch, rifling through my bag to ensure I had everythingpassport, payslips, council tax statementjust in case they needed paperwork for Emilys residency.
I pictured Williams delight when he saw me. How Emily might blush and thank me for caring. After all, wasnt this a day for family?
The registry office was in a grand old building in the heart of London. Climbing the steps, my nerves fluttered just as they had forty years ago when Id married my late husband, Robert. Back then, my own parents had stood beside me.
The lobby bustled with couples filling out forms, new parents registering babies. I scanned the crowd but didnt spot William.
“Excuse me,” I asked the woman at the desk, “where do we submit marriage notices?”
“First floor, room 207,” she replied without glancing up.
Upstairs, the corridor stretched long, the wooden floor creaking underfoot. I found the room and peeked inside.
“Mum? What are you doing here?” William asked, startled.
He sat across from an older woman in a sharp suit, Emily beside him in a lovely blue dress. Their passports and documents lay on the desk.
“William, darling!” I beamed, stepping in. “How could I miss such an important day? I wanted to support you.”
Emily shot him a look before turning cold eyes on me.
“Hello, Margaret,” she said flatly.
“Emily, love, congratulations!” I moved to embrace her, but she shifted away.
“Sorry,” the registrar cut in, “but were in the middle of processing. If youd like to stay, please take a seat.”
I sat by the wall and pulled a small bouquet from my bag. “Emily, I know you like lilies.”
She took them without warmth. “Thanks.”
The registrar resumed. “Preferred wedding date?”
“November 28th,” William said.
“Theres an 11 AM slot available. Will that suit?”
They nodded.
“William, what about a Saturday?” I suggested. “More relatives could come.”
“Mum, weve already decided,” he said firmly.
“Of course, of course. Youre adultsyou know best.”
Emilys irritation was plain, but I ignored it. Nerves, surely.
“Will you have witnesses?” the registrar asked.
“My brother and her mate,” Emily answered.
“Perhaps parents could sign too?” I offered. “For tradition.”
“Mum, its only two witnesses by law,” William explained patiently.
“Oh, right. I just want everything perfect for you.”
The paperwork took another half-hour. I watched them, touched by their solemn expressions. Once finished, I stood eagerly.
“Shall we celebrate? Ive booked a table at that lovely café near Covent Gardentheir Victoria sponge is divine!”
William and Emily exchanged glances.
“Mum, we werent planning on company today,” he said carefully.
“But its a special occasion! We should mark it properly.”
“Margaret,” Emily cut in, her voice icy, “wed like some time alone.”
“Oh. Well, perhaps later then? Ive bought ingredients for your favourite beef Wellington.”
“Mum, weve got plans tonight,” William said firmly.
Something twisted inside me. Id prepared so muchwanted so badly to share their joy.
“But Im your mother,” I said weakly. “How can you do this without me?”
“Were grown, Mum. Well manage.”
Outside, couples strolled through the square, laughing by the fountain. Walking beside them, I felt like an intruder.
“William, lets take a photo,” I pleaded, pulling out my phone.
“Well take loads later.”
“Just one? For memories?”
He sighed. I snapped a few shotsEmilys smile strained.
“Lovely! Ill frame these.”
“Mum, wed better go,” William said, checking his watch.
“Where to? I could walk with you”
“We want to be alone,” Emily said sharply.
Her tone stung, but I bit my tongue. I hugged William; Emily stepped back.
“Goodbye,” she muttered.
I watched them leave, then trudged to the bus stop, my excitement deflated. Id imagined us chatting over tea, planning the wedding. Instead, Id been tolerated.
On the bus, I scrolled through the photos. William looked happy; Emily seemed tense, even in pictures.
At home, I cooked the Wellington anyway, though Id be eating alone. Chopping, stirring, my mind replayed the registry office.
Why had Emily been so cold? Wed known each other six monthsshed always been polite before. Though shed never visited. Id assumed shyness.
The phone rang as I plated the food.
“Margaret, love!” It was Mrs. Thompson. “Howd it go? All settled?”
“Yes. Theyve submitted the notice.”
“Splendid! Didnt they invite you to celebrate?”
“No,” I murmured. “They wanted time alone.”
“How odd. In my day, parents were always included.”
“They said theyre adults now.”
“Adults or not, a mothers a mother. You raised that boy single-handed after Robert passed. And this is the thanks you get?”
I sighed. She wasnt wrong.
“Talk later, Mrs. Thompson. My dinners getting cold.”
The Wellington was perfect, but I barely touched it. The flat felt hollow. I turned on the telly, but nothing held my attention.
By evening, my friend Janet rang.
“Well? Did they do it?”
“Yes.”
“Why so glum? You should be over the moon!”
“I am. Just tired.”
“Out with itwhat happened?”
I told her everything.
“The nerve of that girl!” Janet hissed. “Who does she think she is? A sons mother is sacred!”
“Janet, dont. Maybe shes just nervous.”
“Nervous? Shes marking her territory! Williams too softshes got him wrapped around her finger.”
I stayed silent. Part of me feared she was right.
“Listen,” Janet said, “dont fret. Once they hit a rough patch, theyll come running.”
“And if they dont?”
“They will. These independent types crumble fast.”
Her words didnt comfort me. I felt betrayed.
The next morning, William called.
“Hi, Mum. You alright?”
“Fine, love. How are you?”
“Good. Listen Emily was upset yesterday. Said you didnt seem very welcoming.”
“Unwelcoming? I brought flowers! I wanted to celebrate!”
“Yeah, but She felt awkward. Said you looked at her like you disapproved.”
I was stunned.
“William, am I not allowed to care about my own son?”
“Of course. But Emily said you were overbearing.”
“Overbearing?” My voice cracked. “I just wanted to share your happiness!”
“Mum, were adults. We dont need hovering.”
“I wasnt hovering! Im your motherI love you!”
“I know. But Emilys right. We need space.”
Tears pricked my eyes.
“So Im surplus now? Raised you alone, gave you everything, and now Im in the way?”
“Mum, dont be daft. Youre not in the way. But Ive got a wife now.”
“And shes got a mother-in-law, but shes forgotten that!”
“Dont start, please.”
He paused, then added quietly,
“Emily said if you keep this up, she wont engage with you.”
The words slapped me. I went numb.
“Right. Tell Emily I know my place.”
“Mum, dont be like this. We all need time to adjust.”
“Fine. I need time too.”
I hung up and wept. Forty years devoted to William. After Robert died, he became my world. Worked two jobs to put him through university. Denied myself everything for him.
And now some girl
