“Mum said youre not the right fit for us,” explained the groom, calling off the wedding.
“Have you ordered the flowers yet?” asked Margaret, scanning her daughters checklist in the notebook. “Florists get booked up fastwedding season and all.”
Katie nodded, her eyes fixed on the wedding dress hanging by the mirror.
“Done. White roses and lisianthus, just like we decided.”
“Good girl. What about the musicians? Is that band from Beckys wedding free?”
“Mum, its all sorted,” Katie sighed. “I told you yesterday.”
Margaret set the notebook aside and studied her daughter. Katie stood with her back turned, adjusting the folds of the dress, but the tension in her shoulders gave her away.
“Katie, love, why so glum? The weddings in a week, and youre moping like its a funeral.”
“Im fine, Mum. Just nervous.”
“Perfectly normal. I was a wreck before mine.”
Katie turned around. Her face was pale, dark circles under her eyes.
“Did you ever regret marrying Dad?”
Margaret blinked at the question.
“Of course not. Your father was a good man. Wheres this coming from?”
“Just sometimes I wonder if this is the right choice. What if James and I are too different?”
“Dont be silly. James is lovelyhardworking, doesnt drink, doesnt fool around. His mums respectable, hes got his own flat. What more could you want?”
Katie turned back to the mirror. Her reflection showed weary eyes.
“Mum, how do you know if you truly love someone?”
“Katie!” Margaret threw up her hands. “A week before the wedding, and youre asking this? Of course you love him. Why else would you say yes?”
“I dont know. Maybe because its expected. Im twenty-eightall my friends are married.”
“Exactly. Time to settle down, start a family. You cant stay single forever.”
The doorbell interrupted them. Katie went to answer, and a moment later, James walked in, clutching a bouquet of carnations.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Afternoon, Margaret.”
“Afternoon, son,” Margaret smiled. “All set to be a husband?”
“Absolutely,” James slipped an arm around Katies waist. “Right, love?”
Katie forced a smile.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Wheres your mum?” Margaret asked. “We were supposed to finalise the last details today.”
James hesitated.
“Shes not feeling great. Sent her apologies.”
“Again?” Margaret frowned. “Strange. All week its been headaches or blood pressure.”
“Shes just anxious about the wedding.”
Katie watched him closely. Something was offhis gaze darted, his fingers fidgeted.
“James, maybe we should check on her?”
“No need,” he said quickly. “Shes resting. Best not disturb her.”
“Stay for tea, then,” Margaret offered. “I baked your favourite biscuits.”
“Thanks, but Ive got errands.”
He kissed Katie againhurriedlyand headed for the door.
“James, wait.” Katie stopped him. “Ill walk with you. Need some air.”
“No point. I drove.”
“Then drop me at the shops. I need groceries.”
Reluctantly, he agreed.
Outside, they got into his old car. Katie buckled up, studying him.
“James, whats going on? Youre acting odd.”
“Just tired from work.”
“Is your mum really ill?”
He didnt answer immediately, starting the engine instead.
“Katie we need to talk.”
Her stomach twisted.
“About what?”
“The wedding.”
“Whats wrong?”
He pulled over, killed the engine, and faced herbut avoided her eyes.
“Mum said youre not the right fit for us.”
The words hit like ice.
“What?”
“Shes against the wedding. Says were not suited.”
“James, why now? Weve been together a year and a half!”
“Dunno. She just thinks so.”
“And what do you think?”
He shrugged.
“Suppose shes right. Shes been around longer.”
Katie stared at the man shed planned to spend her life with and barely recognised him.
“James, we love each other. Doesnt that matter more than your mums opinion?”
“Love?” He waved a hand dismissively. “Pretty words. Real lifes different. Mum says youre too independent. Wont listen to me.”
“Whered she get that?”
“You earn more than me. Mum says wives like that dont respect their husbands.”
Anger flared in Katies chest.
“So I should quit my job to please her?”
“Not quit. Maybe switch to something simpler. More time for family.”
“Familyor waiting on your mum?”
James scowled.
“Dont talk about her like that. She wants whats best.”
“For who? You or her?”
“Katie, you dont get it. She raised me aloneDad left when I was five. Shes sacrificed everything.”
“And now youll sacrifice everything for her?”
“Shes my mother. I cant upset her.”
Katie saw him clearly now. For a year and a half, hed seemed kind, attentiveif a bit soft. Shed assumed hed grow a spine after marriage.
Instead, he was a mamas boy, incapable of a single decision without her approval.
“What exactly does your mum dislike about me?”
He shifted uncomfortably.
“Says youre too proud. Dont take her advice.”
Katie recalled the nitpickingthe soup too salty, the shirts poorly ironed, the makeup too bold.
“What else?”
“Says you dont want kids. Care more about your career.”
“I never said that!”
“You brushed it off when I mentioned starting a family straight after the wedding.”
She rememberedshed wanted time to enjoy being married first.
“James, I do want kids. Just not yet.”
“Mum says thats excuses. Modern women are selfish, only care about themselves.”
“And you believe that?”
Another shrug.
“Shes been around. Knows how life works.”
“James, youre thirty-two. Cant you decide what kind of wife you want?”
“I can. But why argue with Mum? She means well.”
Katie leaned back, eyes closed. Memories flashedJames consulting his mother on everything, from clothes to holidays to the colour of his car.
Shed mistaken control for care.
“So what now?” she asked quietly.
“Mum says we should postpone.”
“Postponeor cancel?”
“For now, cancel. Until you change.”
Her eyes snapped open.
“So I have to become someone else to win your mums approval?”
“Not someone else. Just more compliant. Homely.”
“And if I wont?”
He spread his hands.
“Then were done.”
Oddly, relief washed over herlike shedding a weight.
“You know what? Your mums right. Were not suited.”
“Really?” He looked surprised. “So youre okay with this?”
“Completely. You need a wife wholl obey your mum. I need a man who thinks for himself.”
“But I do think for myself!”
“Sure. After checking with Mummy first.”
“Katie, dontI respect my elders.”
“Your mums three years younger than mine, yet she thinks she gets to pick who you love?”
“She wants me happy.”
“She wants you forever dependent. Thats why she finds fault with every girl you date.”
“Thats not true!”
“How many serious relationships have you had before me?”
Silence.
“Four,” he muttered. “But”
“Let me guess. Too flighty, too serious, not pretty enough, pretty but dim?”
His stunned look said it all.
“Mums not like that. She wants me happy.”
“Her way. Your feelings dont matter.”
He started the car.
“Ill take you home.”
The drive was silent. Katie gazed out the window, dreading telling Margaretcancelling bookings, returning the dress, explaining to guests.
Yet instead of despair, she felt free. Like shed dodged a bullet.
At her flat, James stopped.
“Katie, maybe think it over? Talk to Mum, explain”
“No, James. This is right. Were not a match.”
“But I love you!”
She met his eyes, pitying.
“No, you love the idea of marriage. You dont even know me.”
“Weve been together eighteen months!”
“And in eighteen months, you never stood up to your mum for me. Never said my opinion mattered. Never defended me when she criticised.”
“I hate conflict.”
“Exactly. You took the easy
