First Impressions
“Mum, this is Emily,” said Edward with a slight awkwardness as he introduced the young woman hed brought home at such a late hour.
“Good evening,” replied Margaret, eyeing the unexpected guest with displeasure. “What a charming time for introductions! Midnight in five minutes…”
“I told Ed it was too late,” Emily defended herself at once, “but does he listen? Stubborn as a mule, that one!”
“Clever,” Margaret thought bitterly. “She shifts blame and paints him as a tyrant. Not a pleasant girl, this one.”
“Come in, then,” she sighed before retreating to her room without another word.
What else could she do? Throw her only son out in the middle of the night over a stranger? If they wanted to live together, so be it. A mothers job was to protect her son and open his eyes. And Margaret would do just thatquickly. Edward would send his little girlfriend packing without a second thought. Hed even be relieved!
All night, Margaret stewed over her plan to get rid of Emily.
No, she wasnt against Edward marrying. At thirty, it was high time he settled down.
But not with *her*!
For one, she was much youngerproof his head was in the clouds.
A wife? A mother? A proper homemaker?
And her attitude said it allshowing up at peoples homes at an ungodly hour without so much as an apology! Then daring to accuse her darling boy for no good reason…
And worst of all, shed stayed the night!
Was this a first for her, or a habit?
Simply put, Margaret didnt like her.
So Edward would come to feel the same.
Why waste time on her?
The plan became unnecessaryEmily handed her every opportunity to set things straight.
The first warning came that very morning.
She locked herself in the bathroom… for an hour.
Edward, helpless, paced the flat, growing more furious by the minute.
“Darling, whats the matter?” Margaret asked with exaggerated sweetness. “The girls getting readyshe wants to look nice for you…”
“But I have to get to work!”
“Then knock and explain shes not the only one here,” his mother suggested.
“Thatd be awkward,” he muttered. “Well talk later. What about you, Mum? Wont you be late?”
“Me? No. Ive been ready for ages. Here, I made pancakes. Come have breakfast.”
“I havent even washed!”
“Too bad, do it later. For now, eat upyoull need your strength.”
Edward sat down.
Just then, Emily emerged, a towel wrapped around her hair, glowing.
“Finally!” Edward exclaimed, rushing to the fogged-up mirror.
He washed in a hurry, shaved at lightning speed, wolfed down a pancake in three bites, and from the doorstep called out:
“See you tonight! Hope you two get along.”
“Edward!” Emily called after him. “We were supposed to fetch my things today.”
“We will. Tonight. Dont get bored!” His voice already echoed down the stairs.
Margaret stood, shut the door behind him, turned to Emily, and asked sharply:
“Arent you ashamed?”
“No,” the girl replied with a smile. “Should I be?”
“Edwards going to be late because of you!”
“He wont. Hell take a cab, surely. Dont worry, hell manage.”
“Either way, remember thisyoure not the only one here. If you want the bathroom for an hour in the morning, wake up earlier. Lucky for you Im not working today.”
“It wont happen again,” Emily said simply. “Sorry.”
Margaret was stunned. Shed hoped for a row, and instead…
“Fine,” she grumbled, heading to the bathroom.
The first thing she saw was a new tube of toothpaste, opened before the old one was finished.
“Emily, why did you open a new toothpaste?”
“I prefer this one.”
“Then bring your own. And your shampoo.”
“Of course, Mrs. Whitmore…”
“And your towels!”
“Ill bring them…”
No matter how she baited her, Emily refused to bite. She agreed to everything, nodded politely, “took note” of her future duties.
Out of arguments, Margaret went for the direct approach.
“Why did you come here?”
“Edward and I love each other…”
“Of course you love hima catch like that! But what does he see in *you*?”
“I havent asked him…”
“And your parents?”
“Mums a seamstress. Works in a factory.”
“And your father?”
“Never knew him.”
“I see. Fatherless. And how do you plan to be a proper wife for my son?”
“Ill do my best…”
“You could try, but it wont work. Edward doesnt love you. He just thinks he does. I know him! And hell never marry youwhy would he? Youre already at his feet.”
“He loves me,” Emily whispered, voice shaking. “Im sure of it.”
“Youre fooling yourself. You think youre the first?”
“No… but that doesnt matter…”
“Doesnt matter? Hell tire of you in a week! Youre not good enough for him! Do you even know what intelligence *is*?”
“Yes. But here, the words misplaced.”
“And whys that?”
“I have a university degree.”
“So what? Listen, girl, go home. This isnt your place. Ive tried to make you see sense all morning, but you refuse.”
“Fine, Ill leave. But what will you tell Edward? He wont like it.”
“Not your concern! Get out and dont come back. Youre not welcome.”
Margaret shocked herself with her cruelty. Shed never imagined speaking like this. The bitter words spilled out unchecked.
And Emily?
The girl just looked at her, understanding perfectly.
His mother was jealous. Theyd barely met, and already hatred simmered. And this was only the beginning…
The front door slammedEdward was home earlier than expected.
“Back already?” Margaret snapped, hoping Emily would be gone by now.
“They let me leave early!” he cheered. “Told them it was a family matter. Hear that, Em? *Family*!”
“What matter?” Margaret grumbled.
“Were registering our union at the town hall, then fetching her things! Em, get ready!”
Margarets heart clenched. She hadnt just lost a battleshe mightve ruined her chance at being a grandmother forever.
