Everyones Against It, But Love Wins
Mum, Dad, said Chloe over her toast, well be round tonight. I want you to meet Oliver. She was halfway through her second year at uni and said it with lets-get-this-over energy.
Her mum, Helen, raised an eyebrow. Is he at uni with you then, love? Her dad, Richard, looked up hopefully for details.
Chloe shook her head. Oliver studies at college Hes training to be a mechanic.
Helen pulled a face, her mug poised mid-air. College, really? Darling, lets be honest thats not exactly what we imagined. Its like the old technical college. We always thought our son-in-law would be a doctor, or at least work in IT. Good salary! Were successful parents, you know. Your dads a dentist, Im a chief accountant. We make sure you have absolutely everything! But this Oliver, I mean covered in grease, tinkering with cars for the rest of his life?
Right, well, Im off. Thanks for breakfast, Mum! Chloe called, grabbing her bag and flinging herself out the front door. Her parents were left chewing their toast in stunned silence.
Richard shrugged. Helen scowled. Only child, eh? she muttered, shaking her head.
That evening, Helen and Richard sat waiting, the air thick enough to spread on toast. As promised, the front door swung open, and in bounced Chloe, hand-in-hand with a tall lad with curly brown hair and dazzling blue eyes.
Helen clocked his looks but was clearly bracing herself for the rest.
This is Oliver, said Chloe. Oliver grinned, giving an awkward nod. Evening, Mr and Mrs Barrett.
Helen herded them into the dining room. The moment theyd all sat down, Chloe dropped the bomb. So! Oliver and I have decided to get married. Weve already handed the forms in at the registry office. Weddings soon.
Silence. Of the silence-so-loud variety.
Helen glared. Chloe, is this some sort of joke?
Chloes jaw set. Its not a joke, Mum. Its happening. Oliver sat, wishing desperately to be invisible.
Helens voice shook. Married? Youre only halfway through your course! Are there any, um, surprises on the way? she hissed, clutching at straws.
Chloe rolled her eyes. Dont panic, Mum, Im not pregnant.
Helen, undeterred, sharpened her tone on Oliver. And how, exactly, are you planning to live? Wheres the money coming from?
Oliver squirmed. Well we could stay in halls for a bit. Or, Ive got my own room at our place.
Helens eyebrows shot up. And how many rooms are there altogether?
Three. Grandmas got one, Dads in another, Im in the last one. My older brothers working up north, saving for a flat of his own.
Helens lips went white. Chloe, have you ever lived in a shared place full of cockroaches and drunk students?! She shot Oliver a pointed look.
Mum, well cope at mine to start. Once I graduate, Ill get a job and well save up for a mortgage! Chloe replied, ever the optimist.
Helen looked ready to list the entire inventory of what could go wrong, but instead stared into her mug.
She knew, deep down, that at their age, her daughter and Oliver saw everything through rose-tinted glasses. Chloe probably pictured bliss in a bedsit with just a kettle and a shared dream. Real life had never intruded on their plans. For now, everything felt simple.
Richard cleared his throat. So, Oliver, tell us about your family.
Oliver spoke quietly. Its normal, really. My mum died when I was nine. My gran practically raised me. Dad works at construction, drinks a bit. My brothers a labourer, too, but hes barely home. Gran used to be a nursery nurse. He finally managed something like a smile.
Helen thought grimly, At least the gran sounds sane. The rest, good grief! She exchanged loading glances with Richard, but stayed quiet.
The hush stretched on.
Richard tried again, So, Oliver, have you told your lot youre marrying Chloe?
No, we wanted to let you know first, Oliver replied. Chloe nodded in agreement.
Helen stood up. Well. Oliver, best be off then and break the news to your family. Well have a chat here.
Chloe saw Oliver out. Back home, Oliver faced his family in the living room.
His brother scoffed, Seriously, youve lost the plot! Who gets married at nineteen? You havent even done your National Service yet, mate!
His dad, already tipsy, waved his glass. Whos the girl then? She posh?
Shes at teacher training college, Oliver replied proudly.
Oh, great. A future supply teacher. Why not a ballerina while youre at it? sneered his brother.
Oliver fled to his room, but his dads voice cut through. And how are you planning to pay for any of this, you two students?
Oliver ignored it, shutting his door, and slumped at his computer. His nan poked her head in after a knock.
Dont listen to any of them, Ollie, she whispered, settling on the bed. If you love her, marry her. Dont expect them all to clapfamilies like hers want posh, well-off sons-in-law, not lads without a bean. But you always were stubborn. If you want something, youll work for it. Youve got my vote, anyway.
Olivers brother popped back in. Who are her parents, then?
Dads a dentist, mums a chief accountant, Oliver replied.
His brother whistled. Blimey, stop mucking about, Ollie. No rush, is there? Finish college, do your time, earn something. Have your wedding when youve got cash to actually pay for it.
Back at the Barretts, the drama was peaking.
Darling, youre getting a degree. What about Oliver? Has he even read a book in his life? Helen said caustically.
Mum! Leave Oliver alone! Chloe snapped.
Richard stepped in. Right, enough, girls. Lets all take a breath and sleep on it.
No one slept. Helen spent the night sighing. Richard tossed from side to side, his mind racing for the right words to warn his daughter off marriage at nineteen. But he remembered his own first great love, way back when, and how impossible it seemed to forget. Hed married Helen late and it worked out, but still he knew first loves power and feared Chloe would dig her heels in.
Chloe lay staring at the patch of moonlight on her duvet, torn between her two worlds.
I really love Oliver, and I want to marry him But Mums so important to me. And shes so dead set against it. Olivers the funniest, loveliest bloke Ive met, and when he holds my handwell, I melt. What do I do?
Morning broke, washing away none of the drama. Oliver waited outside the college gates. As soon as Chloe appeared, he pelted over, swept her into a bone-crunching hug, and they just stood, refusing to let go.
Come on, Chloedid your parents absolutely murder you last night?
Chloe snorted. Not murder exactly, but Mum nearly banished me. Dad stepped in before things exploded. Yours?
Oliver winced. Yeah Same at my end.
She nudged him. So? Do we go back and cancel the wedding?
Not on your life! Oliver declared. I talked to my mate Ben at the garagehes desperate for another pair of hands. I can earn. Well rent somewhere tiny at first, see how it goes. Maybe our families will get used to the idea. Only thing is He hesitated.
Go on, spit it out.
Well, were totally skint, so theres not much hope for a fancy wedding. And you probably wanted that white dress
Oliver, its fine! Chloe smiled. Well just tie the knot and have our own private bash.
Really? Youre not bothered?
Of course not! Id marry you in a chip shop if I had to! Chloe giggled.
Oliver spun her around. Youre one of a kind! Lets go celebrate. Im buying you a coffeeno arguments.
And so, against all odds, Chloe and Oliver married. Eventually, the parents relented (mostly). There was a small but proper do at a local café; Chloe wore white, Oliver looked sharp in his suit. The guests were few, but the happinesslimitless.
Olivers dad got sozzled, his brother didnt show, but Grans watery smile made up for it. Helen acted like someone had spilt tea down her best dress, but Richard did his best to sprinkle good cheer everywhere.
Everyone had been against itbut love had other plans.
