Emmas life was pretty stable, all things considered.
When she met James, she was stunned. Could a truly decent man like him really exist? To Emma he seemed the very picture of honesty, loyalty, love and genuine nobility. She had stopped hoping to ever find such a bloke.
A year earlier Emma had divorced her first husband, Mark. They still owned the semidetached house they had bought together and were still paying off the mortgage. While the house was on the market, Emma moved in with her parents in a cottage near Bath; they were very supportive. Mark stayed in the house while he looked for a new place for both of them to move into.
He had nowhere to go, so he offered Emma to cover the remaining mortgage payments as long as he stayed in the flat until they sorted the move. Emma sensed that Mark was being evasive, insisting that no flat seemed suitable, but her mother, Helen, persuaded her:
Dont let him wear you out, dear. Rest at home for a while and let him finish the payments. Selling will be easier that way.
Helens advice felt right, and the calm at her parents home was a relief after such a failed marriage.
Then Emma met James, and love swept her away. James was unremarkable in appearancenothing like the tall, athletic Markbut something about him clicked. At work her colleague Claire saw them together and asked, halfamused,
What did you see in him? Is he rich or does he have some hidden perk I missed?
Emma blushed and answered, Im not sure, Claire. It just feels like he loves me, and I love him too. We understand each other without many words.
Claire laughed, Love alone isnt a reason to marry, love. You need a head on your shoulders, not just a fluttering heart. Live together a bit first, maybe the romance will settle.
Emma replied, Weve decided to marry. James wants me as his wife, a family, children. She grew even more embarrassed.
Claire smirked, Well, James wants it, but what do you want?
I like the way he is, and I want the same, Emma said, which bruised Claires selfappointed wisdom a little.
Dont step on the same rakes, love, Claire chuckled.
In Emmas heart, James was her man, no matter what anyone said. He won over her mother instantly; her father, Peter, voiced a typical male scepticism, saying he wasnt sure what kind of man James was. He would come around, Emma thought.
When they married, the house sale was settled quickly and Emma and James moved in together. Emma got along with her motherinlaw, Margaret, even though James had warned her that his mother was a strict, particular woman who had raised him alone. Margaret seemed to dream of a son who would bring a daughter into the family home. Their house sat on a small estate on the outskirts of a market town, spacious enough for anyone, and it would be a change for Margaret, who was used to living alone.
Emmas gentle, friendly nature won Margaret over. James was surprised at how easily his mother accepted Emma.
Do you plan to live in the town when the children come? Margaret asked, squinting.
Well visit the grandchildren all summer for fresh air, and even in winter well drive up, Emma promised.
Margaret liked Emmas simplicity. James, much like his mother, was devoted to family, and the couple soon helped both sets of parents with small repairs; Peter even joined James in fixing a fence, later commenting that Emma had finally chosen a decent husband.
Margaret even smiled at Emma, thinking, A daughterinlaw who loves her man will treat her motherinlaw kindly enough. Her opinion, in its own way, was justified.
Emma and James lived happily in their flat, deeply in love, convinced nothing could disturb their bliss.
After a while, Emma noticed that when she threw herself into a passionlike singing karaokeJames would initially beam with pride, but then sometimes dampen her mood. Midsong hed ask, Emma, did you unpack the bag we got from my mum?
Shed joke that shed sort it later, but the comment clipped her enthusiasm and the song lost its sparkle.
One day at work Emma confided to Claire that James had snapped at her for something trivial, and she instantly regretted saying it. Claire pounced, I told you hed start hurting you, and you called him extraordinary!
Emma decided not to discuss James with anyone else, choosing instead to voice her grievances directly.
The next day James came home thrilled about a successful presentation. Emma asked, Did you get the dinner I asked for? How could you forget?
Jamess eyes widened with a flash of hurt, then he thought for a beat and laughed, Youre right, love. Mum always catches me when Im happy and says, Whats all this merriment? Have you done your lessons? Planning another secret night out? She never realised Im grown up. Ive been angry at her for years, taking it out on you when you sang. Silly habit, Ill change. I love my mum, but I shouldnt let her moods ruin ours.
That evening they made peace, and Emma realised that every relationship has hidden cracks and skeletons in the closet. Still, as the saying goes, Dont put anyone on a pedestal.
If the fundamentals of married life line upmutual respect, love, that inexplicable chemistry where a persons touch, scent, smile and glance feel rightthen together you can weather almost anything. Listening to wellmeaning but meddlesome friends like Clairewho once shouted, Divorce! There are no decent men left. Marry a rich guy or stay single!doesnt help.
Emma chose the ordinary path: she married for love, not for wealth. Later, James whispered in the night, Im sorry, I understand now, Emma. I love you, and she felt pure happiness seeing him strive not to repeat past mistakes.
No guarantee exists that they wont argue over trivial matters again, but as the old proverb says, A couple that bickers still lives under one roof. Another says, A husband and wife may quarrel, yet they share the same blanket.
Emma now follows her own heart, not everyone elses counsel. She and James are expecting their first child and, despite the small spats, are genuinely content.
Claire, meanwhile, remains single by choice, understanding that even love can be a hard puzzle. Should she ever find a rich but unloving partner, the challenge would be even greater.
The true lesson is simple: love and mutual understanding are the foundations of a lasting partnership, but the most reliable guide is the voice inside you, not the chatter of the crowd.
