“Father… Emily asked us not to come to the wedding… Says shed be ashamed of her country parents.” “But how can this be… How, Margaret… Ive waited so long for this day, to see my daughter married. And now she doesnt want to see us, shes ashamed… What sort of thing is this?”
“Hello, Mum? Victors asked me to marry himcan you believe it? Ive dreamed of this, joining his family!”
Margaret was happy for her daughter. Clever, beautiful, their Emily. She and her father had always supported her. After school, the girl had dreamed of attending modelling schoolher looks and figure made it possible. But the fees were steep. Her father sold the cattle and pigs, and the money was just enough. Emily rarely came home to the village after that; city life swept her up like a whirlwind. She began earning her own way through photo shoots and fashion shows. Her parents were glad she was doing well.
Victor was the only son of a wealthy businessman, and his father denied him nothing. Emily never introduced her fiancé to her parents, nor invited them to the city. She claimed there was no timeshe and Victor led such a busy life, always flying abroad.
Margaret worked as a cleaner at the local school and often boasted of her daughters photos.
“Margaret, why doesnt Emily bring her fiancé to meet you? Is she embarrassed of her parents?”
“Dont be silly, Alice, Emily loves us dearly.”
“But when was the last time she visited? Does she even call?”
“She rang just last weekshes getting married. Her father and I must think where to find the money for a gift and what to wear.”
***
“Emily, when will you and Victor come to visit? Your fathers made his famous roasthed love to share it with his son-in-law.”
“Mum, reallyhe doesnt eat that sort of thing. Weve no time to visit, not with the wedding preparations.”
“When is the wedding, love? We need to get ready too, buy proper clothes.”
“Mum, listen… Its best if you dont come. Think about itVictors family is wealthy, the wedding will be full of high society, and then theres you… You still smell of the farm. Can you imagine the contrast? You look like country folk, and you dont know how to behave properly. Do you know how ashamed Id feel?”
“Very well, love. You wont see us.”
Margaret didnt know how to tell her husband. Hed waited so long for this day, to see his beloved daughter in her wedding dress, to wish her happiness. The whole house was covered in her photoshe remembered every date they were taken, often gazing at his beautiful Emily.
“Father… Emily asked us not to come to the wedding… Says shed be ashamed of her country parents.”
“But how… how, Margaret… Ive waited so long… And now she doesnt want to see us, shes ashamed… What sort of thing is this?”
Thomas paled. Margaret handed him water and his heart pillshed always been frail.
“Thomas, dont upset yourself… We wont go, its fine.”
That night, they had to call an ambulancethe shock had been too much.
“You know what, Margaret? Were going anyway. Weve every right! Let her try and stop us!”
Margaret didnt want to, but she knew she couldnt dissuade him. Finding the wedding date and venue wasnt hardVictor was well-known, and details were in the papers. She borrowed a nice dress from a friend, bought Thomas a new suit, and on the day, they took the train to London.
They slipped into the grand hall while the festivities were in full swing. When the toastmaster asked if anyone else wished to speak, Thomas called out, “We do!”
“Victor and Emily, congratulations on your marriage! May you live long and happy lives, and may your children always remember where they came from, honouring and respecting their parentsnever ashamed of them. Cheers!”
Thomas laid the bouquet on the newlyweds table, took Margarets hand, and walked out.
Victor stared at Emily. “Who were those people?”
“Relatives… of mine.”
Victor hurried after them. “Waitstay for the wedding! Emily told me she had no family left.”
“No family? Were alive…”
“Youre her parents? Why would she lie?”
“Shes ashamed of us, Victor. Were simple folknot fit for high society. No money, no manners. Easier to pretend we dont exist.”
“Im sorry… I didnt know.”
“Victor, you seem a good man. Dont hold it against herbe happy.”
“Please, stay. Well visit you soonput this right.”
“No. We wont spoil her day. She didnt want us here.”
Three months passed. Emily never called, never visited.
Margaret was hanging laundry when a cab pulled up. Emily stepped out with a suitcase.
“Mum, hello. Ive come home. Arent you pleased?”
“Hello. Why are you here?”
“What do you mean? Ive come home.”
“Home, is it?”
“Is Father inside?”
“Your fathers in the churchyard.”
“Stop joking, Mum.”
“Its no joke. You buried us long ago, but hes been gone two months now. He couldnt bear his daughters betrayal. And Ill never forgive you. You took my husband and my child. Go back. Theres no place for you here.”
Emily walked inside. The house was silent. Her fathers chair was gone. Her photos had vanished from the walls. Nothing was familiaras though shed never lived there at all.
“Mum, I couldnt come sooner. Victor and I were abroadno signal. He was furious when he learned the truth. And… were divorcing. Three months together was enough to see were too different. Im signing with an agency overseas. The world doesnt end with Victor.”
“Live as you choose, Emily. Goodbye.”
The gate clicked shut. She was gone.
Margaret went inside and wept. What had happened to that sweet girl shed raised? She had no daughter now. Emily had made her choice. Better to be alone than to have such a child.
