“Dad… Emily asked us not to come to the wedding… She says shed be ashamed of her country parents.”
“How can this be… How, Margaret… Ive waited so long for this day, to see my daughter married. And now she doesnt want us there, ashamed of us… What is this?”
The phone rang sharply in the quiet kitchen. Margaret wiped her flour-dusted hands and picked up.
“Mum, can you believe it? Williams proposed! Ive dreamed of thisfinally being part of his family!”
Margarets heart swelled with pride. Their Emilyclever, beautiful, their pride and joy. She and her husband, Thomas, had always supported her. After school, Emily dreamed of modelling. She had the looks, the poise.
But the fees were steep. Thomas sold the cattle and pigsjust enough to cover her course. Emily rarely came home after that. London life swept her up like a storm. She started booking shoots, fashion weeks. Her parents were relievedtheir girl was making her own way.
William was an only son, his father some big-shot executive. He wanted for nothing. Emily never introduced them to his parents, never invited them to the city. Too busy, she said. Always jet-setting.
Margaret scrubbed floors at the local school, showing off Emilys glossy magazine clippings to anyone whod look.
“Margaret, love, why hasnt Emily brought her fiancé to meet you? Ashamed, is she?”
“Dont be daft, Susan. Emily adores us.”
“But when was the last time she visited? And does she even call?”
“She rang last weeksaid shes getting married. Were saving for a gift, picking out our best clothes.”
***
“Emily, love, when are you and William coming down? Your dads made his famous roastwants to share it with his future son-in-law.”
“Mum, really? He doesnt eat meat. Were swamped with wedding plansno time to visit.”
“Whens the wedding, then? We need to prepare, tooget ourselves smart.”
“Mum, listen… Dont come to the wedding. Just thinkWilliams familys posh, all high society will be there, and then theres you… Dad always smells of the farm. The contrastll be humiliating. You dont know how to act around people like that. Imagine how Id feel.”
“Alright, love. You wont see us.”
Margaret didnt know how to tell Thomas. Hed waited years for thisto walk his girl down the aisle, see her in white. The whole cottage wall was papered with Emilys photos. He remembered every date, every snapshot, always gazing at their beautiful daughter.
“Dad… Emily doesnt want us at the wedding… Says shes ashamed of us.”
“How… How can this be, Maggie? Ive waited my whole life for this day. And now she wont even look at us…”
Thomas went pale. Margaret handed him water and his pillshis heart had been weak for years.
“Thomas, dont fret… We wont go. Its fine.”
That night, an ambulance rushed him inthe shock had been too much.
“You know what, Maggie? Were going anyway. Weve every right! Let her try and stop us!”
Margaret didnt want to, but Thomas was set. Finding the date and venue was easyWilliams family was in the papers. She borrowed a nice dress from a friend, bought Thomas a new suit, and they took the train to London the morning of the wedding.
The reception was in full swing when they slipped in, clutching a bouquet.
“Anyone else care to toast the happy couple?” the host called.
Thomas stood. “We will!”
The room hushed.
“William and Emily, may your marriage be long and happy. May your children never forget where they come fromnever be ashamed of the hands that raised them. Cheers!”
He set the flowers on the newlyweds table, took Margarets hand, and turned to leave.
William caught up to them outside.
“Who were those people, Emily?”
“My… relatives.”
Williams face darkened. He chased them down.
“Waitstay! Emily told me she had no family, that her parents passed years ago.”
“Passed? Were right here.”
“Youre her parents? Then why the lie?”
“Shes ashamed of us, William. Were just farmers. Not good enough for her new life.”
“Im sorry… I didnt know.”
“Dont hold it against her. Be happy.”
“Come back insidewell fix this!”
“No. She didnt want us here.”
Three months passed. No calls. No visits.
Margaret was hanging laundry when a taxi pulled up. Emily stepped out, designer bag in hand.
“Mum. Hi. Im home. Arent you happy?”
“Hello. Why are you here?”
“What do you mean? Ive come home.”
“Home. Right.”
“Is Dad inside?”
“Your fathers at the churchyard.”
“Stop joking.”
“Its no joke. You buried us long before he died two months ago. His heart gave out after what you did. And Ill never forgive you for it. You took my husband and my daughter from me. Go back to your life. You dont belong here anymore.”
Emily walked inside. The house was silent. Her childhood bed was gone. The walls, once lined with her photos, were bare.
“Mum, I couldnt come soonerwe were in the Maldives. No signal. William was furious about the lies. And… were divorcing. Turns out were nothing alike. Im signing with an agency abroad. The worlds bigger than him.”
“Live as you please, Emily. Goodbye.”
The gate clicked shut.
Margaret sat at the kitchen table and wept. What had happened to that sweet little girl? She had no daughter now. Shed made her choice.
Better to be alone than to have a child whod rather you were dead.
