Son-in-law
You keep repeating yourself. My past relationships are none of your business. My son lives with his mother in London, and I cover all their expenses. Emily knows about this. Ive never hidden anything from her.
Shes just a girl! She cant tell truth from lies yet!
Mum, Dad, this is George. My fiancé.
Helen felt a wave of cold sweep down her spine, although the sitting room was close and warm from the central heating.
Her gaze drifted slowly from radiant Emily to the man in the doorway.
He was wearing a fine cashmere coat. In his hand was an enormous basket of exotic fruit and a bottle sealed with wax.
Matthew, standing next to his wife, stood rooted to the spot. Helen clung to his arm.
How old are you, George? Matthew barked.
The man stepped into the room with unsettling poise. I’m thirty-eight, Matthew. If Im not mistaken, were the same age.
The same Helen stammered. Emily, are you being serious?
Mum, not again! Emily bristled. You both always say you just want me to be happy. Well, this is me, happy. We love each other. Age doesnt matterits just numbers in a passport!
Numbers? Matthew found his voice at last, edging Helen aside. When you started primary school, this bloke was already out getting drunk and chasing women! Do you get that? Hes nearly forty!
Thirty-eight, Dad! Emily shouted back. And he treats me better than you ever treated Mum! He actually listens to me. He values me.
Values? Matthew snarled, turning for support to Helen. You hear this, Helen? What, did he spot her in the pram? George, or whatever your name is, arent you ashamed?
George gently put the basket down. I do understand you, honestly. If I had a daughter, Id probably be furious too. But Id rather we didnt turn this into a row. I love Emily. Im going to marry her.
Get out of my house, Matthew said, barely above a whisper.
If he goes, I go too! Emily gripped Georges sleeve. And you wont see me again. Got that?
Helen stared at her daughter, struggling to recognise the shy girl who, barely six months ago, had asked her for help with history homework and still wore plaits.
Now Emily stood there, hands balled into fists, ready to go to war for a man theyd only just met.
Please, can we sit down and talk? Helen tried to ease the tension. Matthew, calm down. George, do have a seat. We should discuss this.
George nodded silently. The family sat at the table together.
When did this start? Helens tone was sharp. Those flowers on your eighteenth Huge bouquets, the gold pendantthat was all from him?
Emily lifted her chin. Yes. And for six months before that as well.
Matthew sprang from his chair. Six months before? You were seventeen? Do you realise I could ring the police right now? You want me to press charges?
George didnt even flinch. We only talked, Matthew. I never overstepped before she was eighteen. Im not a fool. Ive a reputation and a business. We went to the cinema; I gave her presents. I waited until her birthday to propose.
Waited Matthew paced the kitchen. Helen, you hear this? He was grooming her!
Dad, stop! Emily screamed. I wanted it! I fell in love the moment I saw him at the café near uni. I was the one who went over to him!
At the café Matthew put his head in his hands. Youre a child, Emily! You havent seen real life!
And have you? Emily retorted, jumping up. You married Mum when you were twenty-one! You had nothing! You lived in a grotty flat, sharing leftover pasta, counting pennies!
Maybe, but we were young. We were happy! Helen snapped. Our future was ahead of us. We grew together!
George and I are already grown up! Emily hugged George from behind. I feel safe with him. He took me to Paris last week while you thought I was at a friends cottage!
George Helen stared at him. Look at us. Matthew and I are your age. Im thirty-eight. Youre thirty-eight. In twenty years, Emily will be thirty-eight, her prime, and youll be fifty-eight. A pensioner. What if she wants another child or changes career? Wholl look after your children?
Im set for life, Helen, George replied gently. The children will have all they need. So will Emily. Im not planning to die at sixtyI take care of myself.
Fitness, is it Matthew muttered as he sat back down. Listen, sportsman. Youre wrecking her life. Shes on a high nowpresents and Paris. But what then, when she wants to go clubbing, and you prefer a quiet sofa and newspaper?
I dont read papers on the sofa, Matthew. Emily doesnt like clubbing. We talk a lot. We share interests.
What could you possibly have in common? Helen threw up her hands. Cartoons? Or are you teaching her how to dodge taxes?
George ticked them off calmly. We both love architecture, classical music, travelling. Emilys very mature for her ageshe finds her mates boring. She told me so herself.
Of course she does! Matthew exploded. Her friends cant buy her gold trinkets!
Dad, thats so unfair! Emilys eyes filled with tears. You think Im that shallow? Id stay with him if he had nothing!
Sure you would, Matthew scoffed, turning to the window. Heard it all before.
We argued all evening and never reached a truce. Eventually, Emily leftpacked a small bag and went.
Helen sat on the sofa, staring into space. Matthew smoked on the balcony, despite having quit five years prior.
Helen, its madness, Matthew stormed back in, the smell of tobacco lingering. Thirty-eight. He was at school at the same time as me, probably. I cant call him my son-in-lawit makes me sick.
Shes in love, Matthew. Whether its real or not doesnt matter. She wont listen to us now.
And that smooth operator! You saw how slippery he is? I waited till she was eighteen. Like hes done this beforeprobably a different Emily in every town.
I doubt it, Matthew. Hes seriousand thats scarier. If he were just a womaniser, shed see through him. But he wants a family. Emily says she wants kidstwo, straight away.
Matthew thumped the armrest. Kids? With who? Grandad? Does she realise hell be falling apart in ten years? High blood pressure, bad back While shes still young and full of life. Tomorrow, Im calling the policelet them check when this love started. Ill ruin him.
And lose Emily forever, Helen replied quietly. You saw her eyes. Shes just waiting for us to become the enemy. Then hell be not just her love but her saviour who rescued her from evil parents. Is that what you want?
Defeated, Matthew slumped in his chair. What do we do, Helen? Accept it? Do we invite him over for barbecues and moan about our dodgy knees?
Ill talk to her. Alone. Tomorrow.
***
Next day, Helen met Emily in a little café near the university.
Emily arrived on time, looking fresh and glowing in a new coatdefinitely not bought with a student loan.
Hi, Mum, she sat lightly on the edge of the chair. If youre here to talk me out of it, dont bother.
I just wanted coffee with my daughter, who I havent seen since yesterday, Helen replied. So, how are you settled?
George has a huge flat in the centre. Its gorgeous, Mum. Library, panoramic windowsIve even got my own dressing room.
Thats lovely, Emily. But a dressing room is just furniture. Living with a man is more than new windows and dresses. Its about living habits.
We have no problems with chores, Emily smiled. Hes got a housekeeper. She deals with everything. I do nothing at all.
Helen stirred her coffee slowly. Emily, listen to me. Your dad and I want whats best for you. Were scared, thats all. Youre caught up in emotions. George has been through all this. He knows how to manipulate feelings. Hes twenty years your senior.
Mum, its not a lifetime! Twenty years is nothing! In Europe no one gets married before thirty, anyway.
Exactly. Hes almost forty; you barely turned eighteen. Youre still forming as a personand right now, you only see the world through him. Whatll happen when your interests change and he stays the same?
You think Im stupid? Emilys eyes narrowed. Think I cant handle this?
I think youre rushing. Just wait a year. Live together, dont get married straight away. Test your feelings.
No. George wants it to be official. He wants a wife, not just a live-in girlfriend. He respects me.
Or maybe he just wants to lock you down before you realise, Helen countered.
You know what, Mum? Emily sprang up. You and Dad are just jealousjealous because you never had anything like this. You spent your lives slaving away to pay off the loan for a boring little flat.
Ive been lucky. And you cant stand it.
Emily, please! Theres no jealousy. Were heartbroken!
Dont be. Im getting married in a month. Weve filed the notice. Come if you want. If not, up to you.
And with that, Emily left the café.
***
At home, Helen found her husband in a rage.
I did some digging, he said tightly. George William Lawrence. Runs a string of security companies. Divorced. Has a son from his first marriagefifteen. Our future son-in-laws got a son almost as old as Emily!
Helen buried her face in her hands. God, Matthew. Just what we needed.
I rang his ex-wife, Matthew continued. She said hes a nasty piece of work. She barely escaped with the boy.
Hell never tell Emily. And if we do, she wont believe us.
Im going to his office, Matthew said, standing. Ill talk to him, man to man.
No! Matthew, no! Youll only make things worse!
But Matthew was unstoppable. Next day he went to Georges office. It did not go well.
Listen, Lawrence, Matthew leaned across the oak desk. I know about your ex, and your son. Why are you messing with a kid? Shes eighteenyoure old enough to be her father.
Matthew, George leaned back in his leather chair, You keep repeating yourself. My private life is my own affair. My son and his mother live in London; I support them fully. Emily knows it all. Ive hidden nothing.
Shes still just a child! She cant tell truth from lies!
Shes an adult. Shes made her choice. I suggest we keep this civil. Were getting married, whether you like it or not. My solicitors have checked everything. Your threats mean nothing. Goodbye.
***
A month later, the wedding took place. Helen and Matthew didnt go. Emily later sent a few photographsher in a stunning gown by a famous designer, George in a tux, standing in front of a stately old manor.
