Emily’s life is almost perfect these days. When she first meets James, she is stunned.
Could a truly decent man like him really exist?
She feels James is the very picture of honesty, loyalty, love and genuine gentlemanly charm. She had stopped hoping she would ever meet someone like that.
A year ago Emily divorced her first husband, Mark, and they still havent managed to sell the house they bought together and have been paying the mortgage on for years.
For the time being Emily moves in with her parents while the sale is arranged; they are supportive. Mark stays in the flat until they can each find new places.
He has nowhere else to go, so he offers to cover the remaining mortgage payments for the time they remain in the property.
Emily senses that Mark is being evasive, constantly claiming no flat looks right to him. Her parents, especially her mother Susan, persuade her:
Dont waste any more energy on him, love. Stay at home and rest while he finishes the mortgage, thatll make the sale easier.
Susan is always right, and Emily feels a calm relief after such a disastrous marriage.
Then James walks into her life, and love whirls around them.
James looks ordinary, not the tall, athletic type that Mark once was.
Lucy, a colleague, spots Emily with James and asks, eyebrows raised,
What did you see in him? Is he rich, or does he have hidden perks I missed?
Emily smiles shyly,
I dont know, Lucy. I just feel he loves me, and I love him too. We finish each others sentences.
Lucy chuckles,
Oh, youre falling in love, arent you? Marrying just because youre head over heels? Think with your brain, not just your heart. Live together a while, see if the feeling sticks.
Emily replies,
Weve decided to marry. James wants me as his wife, to start a family.
Lucy smirks,
Well, James wants it, but what do you want?
Emilys quiet confidence slightly irks Lucy, who likes to think she knows everything while remaining single herself.
Lucy teases,
Always stepping on the same rakes, arent you? Give it another go.
Deep down Emily knows James is her man, no matter what anyone says. He charms her mother right away; her father, John, admits hes not quite sure what kind of bloke James is yet, but hell come around.
When they finally marry, the house sale goes smoothly, and Emily and James move in together.
Emily also gets on with Jamess mother, Margaret, although James had warned her that his mother raised him alone and can be strict and particular.
Margaret seems to have always imagined her son bringing a wife into their large semidetached house on the outskirts of Birmingham, where space is plentiful and it would be a change for her to live alone.
Emily, however, wins Margaret over with her gentle, easygoing nature. James is surprised at how quickly Margaret accepts her.
Do you want to live in the city? And when the kids arrive? Margaret asks, squinting.
Well spend every summer with the grandchildren up in the country, enjoy the fresh air, and even visit in winter, Emily promises.
Margaret likes the simpleminded daughterinlaw. James, who mirrors his mothers affection, helps his parents with repairs, and John soon remarks that Emily has finally chosen a decent husband.
Margaret even cracks a smile, reasoning that a daughter who loves her son will treat his mother wellher logic feels oddly right.
Emily and James settle into a happy routine in their flat, deeply in love, and it seems nothing can disturb their bliss.
Yet, after a few months, Emily notices that when she gets passionately involved in somethinglike belting out karaokeJames initially cheers her on, but then sometimes spoils her mood.
Midsong he asks, Emily, did you unpack the bag we got from Mom?
She jokes that shell sort it later, but his tone clearly irks her, and her desire to sing vanishes.
One day at work she accidentally tells Lucy that James complained about something she didnt do, and immediately regrets it.
Lucy swoops in,
I told you hed start picking on you, and you said hes extraordinary!
Emily decides to keep her grievances private, no longer airing them with anyone.
The next day James arrives home, thrilled after a successful meeting, and shares his triumph. Emily asks,
Did you get the groceries I asked for? How could you forget?
James pauses, a flash of hurt crossing his eyes, then he laughs,
Honestly, love, youre right. Mum always catches me when Im happy and ruins the moment, saying, Are you having fun? Did you do your homework? Or are you planning another night out without permission? She never realized Im an adult. Ive been angry at her, almost becoming like her. Im sorry I snapped at you when you were singing. Its a silly habit, and it wont happen again. I love my mum, but when she nags I lash out. Thats foolish, I agree with you.
That evening they share a tender reconciliation.
Emily realises that every relationship carries hidden snags and skeletons in the closet, but theres no point in idolising anyone.
If the core values line uplove, or as they say now, chemistrywhen a person feels right on a gut level, their touch, scent, smile and glance, and when humor and a dash of selfirony exist, many hurdles can be overcome together. She ignores the wellmeaning but meddlesome advice of friends like Lucy,
Divorce, there are no decent men left. Either marry a wealthy bloke and tolerate him, or stay single!
Emily sticks to the classic route: she marries for love with a good man.
Forgive me, I get it now, Emily. I love you, James whispers at night, and she feels pure happiness seeing him try not to repeat past mistakes.
There are no guarantees they wont argue over trivial matters again, but as the saying goes, A happy couple bickers just to stay close.
Our ancestors also said, When a husband and wife quarrel, let the third stay out, or A couple may fight, but they still share one blanket.
So Emily no longer heeds anyones counsel but her own heart.
She and James are now expecting their first child and, despite the small irritations, are blissfully happy.
Lucy remains unmarried, a choice she embraces. Finding a rich but loveless partner would be far more complicated for her.
