Know your place, woman
Daniel, Ive told you a hundred times now isnt the moment for children, Emma Clarke shuts her laptop and turns to her husband. Ive just been offered to lead a new project. Its the break Ive been waiting for three years.
Ive been waiting for an heir for three years! Daniel shouts, voice rising. Emma, were both thirty! The biological clock is ticking, and you keep dreaming about some career.
Emma lets out a slow breath. The argument has been looping with relentless regularity for the past six months, and each time Daniels pressure grows.
My job matters! Im not quitting my position for fatherhood, she says.
Thats a different story! A man must provide for the family, a woman must bear children. Thats the natural order.
Emma presses her lips together. Daniels antiquated views rise more often now, as if marriage has stripped away the thin veil under which he once hid them during their courtship.
The natural order is that people decide themselves when to become parents, she says, standing to clear the table. Im not ready now. End of story.
When will you be ready? At forty? At fifty? Daniels voice grows louder. Or maybe never?
Daisy, the ginger mutt curled on her cushion by the balcony door, lifts her head and watches her owner nervously. The dog always senses the household tension.
Within a couple of years well have to think about it, Emma sits beside the dog and scratches Daisys head. Right, girl?
Daniel watches the gesture and sneers.
Thats the problem. You pour all your motherly instincts into that mutt.
Dont you dare speak about Daisy like that, Emma snaps, turning sharply. Shes a family member.
A family? A dog is an animal, not a child! Daniel slams his hand on the table. Im not putting up with this any longer!
The following days turn into a siege. Daniel devotes every spare minute to persuading his wife. At dawn, as Emma barely opens her eyes, he launches another lecture on parental duty. By night he greets her with fresh arguments about the ticking clock.
Look at Sarah, he says, scrolling through social media. Shes your age and already has two kids. And Emma, what about Lucy in your department? She gave birth last year.
Sarah has been on maternity leave for three years, complaining that her brain is atrophying, Emma retorts. And Lucy went back to work after four months because the money ran out.
Youre just scared of responsibility!
And youre scared Ill outshine you.
On Friday, Emmas motherinlaw, Margaret Hart, jumps into the fray.
Emma, dear, Margaret begins, taking her seat at the kitchen table, Daniel has told me everything. I understand the job is important, but a womans main purpose is to continue the family line.
Emma winces inwardly. Margaret belongs to a generation that expects women to have children by twenty and sees that as the only viable life script.
Well sort it out ourselves, Margaret, Emma replies politely.
How will you sort it out? Three years have passed! In my day we had the first child within a year of marriage and were planning the second by the third year.
The times have changed, Emma tries to stay calm.
The times have changed, but not for the better, Margaret huffs. Women used to know their place.
Daniel nods, silently backing his mother.
Ill decide where my place is, Emma says coldly.
Margaret purses her lips and exchanges a loaded glance with Daniel.
Youre selfish, Emma. Daniel is thirtyone and wants a child.
Then let him find someone ready to give him an heir right now, Emma snaps.
A heavy silence hangs. Daniel pales, Margarets mouth opens in disbelief.
Maybe I will do it! Daniel shouts.
After Margaret leaves, Emma takes a long walk with Daisy. The dog bounds happily, pausing now and then to sniff a curious scent or to play with another dog. These evening strolls in the park become Emmas oasis amid the marital storm.
You know, girl, she whispers, watching Daisy chase pigeons, sometimes I feel youre the only one in this house who really gets me.
The ginger snout turns toward her, intelligent brown eyes shining with devotion. Emma drops to her knees and hugs the dog.
I found you in a shelter, skinny and scared. Look at you nowsuch a beauty.
Daisy licks her cheek gratefully, and Emma laughs for the first time in days.
At home, Daniel sits on the sofa, arms crossed, his expression anything but welcoming.
Ive made a decision, he declares.
What is it? Emma asks, unfastening Daisys leash. The dog darts to her water bowl.
Either a child or the dog. Choose.
Emma freezes, leash in hand.
What?
You understand me perfectly. If you want to keep the marriage, get rid of the mutt. If you dont want to have my children, I wont watch you play house with an animal.
Daniel, are you out of your mind? Emma turns slowly to him. Daisy has lived with me for four years!
I wont tolerate a dog being more important than me.
She isnt more important! Its just
Just what? Daniel cuts in. Just that you spend time, money, emotions on her that should belong to me and our future kids!
Emma slumps into a chair. The absurdity of the situation overwhelms her.
Youre jealous of the dog?
I expect my wife to behave like a wife, not like an old spinster with cats!
I have a dog, not cats.
Dont be clever! Daniel roars. Decision made. By Sunday this mutt must disappear from our home, or you start preparing for pregnancy!
Hearing the raised voices, Daisy pads over, resting her head on Emmas lap. The dogs warm breath soothes better than any medicine.
What if I refuse? Emma asks quietly.
Then our marriage ends.
Emma spends the whole Saturday mulling over her options. Daniel theatrically avoids conversation, grimaces whenever he sees Daisy, and sighs loudly as if the dogs presence physically torments him.
Times running out, he reminds her in the evening. I need an answer tomorrow.
Im ready, Emma replies calmly.
She has truly thought it through. She realizes that choosing between a dog and a husband is a choice between loyalty and manipulation, between genuine love and emotional blackmail.
Perfect! Daniel exclaims. Well take her to the shelter tomorrow.
Im taking my things and moving in with my parents, Daisy included, Emma says.
Daniels face stretches.
Youre seriously picking the dog over me?
Im picking the person who loves me without conditions.
Sunday turns chaotic. Daniel shouts, threatens, pleads, then shouts again. He promises magnanimous forgiveness if Emma changes her mind, swears hell consider a compromise. Its too late.
Youll regret this! he roars as Emma carts the last suitcase out. Who else will put up with your whims?
Ill find someone, she smiles. And hell love dogs.
Daisy sits in the car, waiting patiently for Emma to finish loading. The dog seems to understanda new life is about to begin.
Emmas parents welcome her with open arms. Susan Clarke immediately starts cooking dinner for three, and Peter Clarke sets up a cozy corner for Daisy in the living room.
We always knew this marriage was a mistake, her mother admits, hugging Emma. We just never had the courage to say it.
The divorce proceeds surprisingly swiftly. Daniel, realizing compromise is impossible, doesnt drag the process out. Emma moves into her own flat, focuses on her career, andfor the first time in a long whilefeels happy.
Five years fly by. Emma heads a major department, earns a solid salary in pounds, and lives in a spacious flat overlooking a park. Daisy has grown, her coat thickening, but still greets Emma with joy every evening after work.
Max Turner enters Emmas life naturallya colleague from a neighbouring team who first becomes a friend and then something more. He accepts Daisy as part of the package, never complains about fur on the sofa and even walks her when Emma works late.
Its absurd that anyone would force a choice between family and a pet, Max says after Emma recounts her first marriage. Its ridiculous.
Daniel thought otherwise.
He was foolish, Max concludes, then apologises quickly. Sorry, didnt mean to disparage your ex.
No apology needed. Youre right.
On a warm day Emma strolls with Daisy through their favourite park. The dog no longer chases pigeons, preferring to walk beside her, but still explores the world with keen curiosity.
Daisy, stay! a familiar voice calls.
Emma turns, startled. Daniel walks along the path, holding the hand of a fouryearold boy. Beside them, on a leash, trots a ginger mutt uncannily similar to Daisy.
Emma? Daniel stops, recognising her. What a surprise.
Hi, Daniel, Emma replies evenly.
The boy lets go of his fathers hand and runs to the dog.
Daisy, whos this? Your sister?
Emma smiles, glancing at her exhusband.
What a coincidence with the name.
Daniel blushes.
My son wanted a dog. What could I do? The name just popped into my head.
Right, Emma says, not pressing the issue. Hes a handsome boylooks a lot like you.
Thanks. Are you married? he asks.
Yes. Max is wonderful and loves dogs.
Daniel nods, at a loss for words.
Dad, why is that lady sad? the boy asks.
Im not sad, Emma answers, smiling. Just thinking.
About what?
About how well everything turned out.
When they part, Emma watches Daniels figure recede. He got the child he wantedand even a dog.
The problem wasnt the dog. It was people who try to reshape each other. With Max, Emma never has to choose. Neither career nor love nor a pet forces a compromise.
Lets go home, girl, she says to Daisy. Max promised a tasty dinner.
Daisy wags her tail happily. Emma reflects that sometimes fate pits us against unsuitable partners so we can later recognise the right ones.
