Family Ties and Tough Love: When Dasha Seeks Refuge with Granny Vera After Her Troubled Marriage, Lo…

Gran, can I stay here for a while? Emily choked out, wiping tears from her cheek. I just cant live with him anymore.

Of course you can, love. Stay as long as you need, replied Vera Clark softly, wrapping her arms around her granddaughter. Has Tom hurt you again?

Emily nodded with a heavy sigh. He has. But Mum wont let me leave him, she doesnt want to fall out with his parents. I just cant go on like this, Gran.

Vera had never had much time for her daughter-in-law, Patricia. Cold and calculating, she always put appearances and personal gain before real feelingsespecially anyone elses. Shed practically forced Emily to marry Tom, all because his father chaired the local council.

Is Tom hitting you? Vera pressed gently.

Mhm, Emily sobbed, shoulders shaking.

Do your parents know? Vera asked, her voice sharp.

They do, Emily replied between tears.

And they still wont let you leave? her grandmother asked, astonished.

No. They say if I walk out itll disgrace them in front of their friends. And its my fault anyway, they say. That I should be more accommodating. But how can I be, when hes so cruel, so angry all the time? I just I cant, Gran.

If you cant, then dont, Vera soothed, smoothing Emilys hair. You stay here. Ill have words with your mum and dad.

What do you mean, shes left her husband?! Patricias voice screeched down the phone when Vera rang.

Calm down, Vera snapped, steel in her tone. Emilys not going anywhere.

Do you know how much money we spent on that wedding? Patricia fumed. His familys respected in the county, and now shes making a mockery of us!

Youre the disgrace, not us. And we still put up with you, Vera returned coolly. Ive had enough of this. Youve heard me.

She hung up. Patricia, white with rage, hurled her phone across the room with a stream of curses. Instantly, Vera dialled her son.

Did you know that scumbags been beating Emily? she demanded of Mark.

Uh Mark hesitated. I mightve heard something, but you know, its hard to know whats true. Maybe Emilys exaggerating

Have you lost your mind? Your daughters being beaten by her husband and youre mumbling excuses? Veras voice cracked like thunder.

What am I supposed to do? Mark stammered. Hes her husband.

Youre supposed to smack him round the ear! Make sure he never even thinks of hurting our girl again! Let him learn he cant push Emily around. Shes no orphan; shes got a family wholl stand up for her!

Dont get involved, Mum. Theyll sort it themselves, Mark answered irritably.

Oh, I see what you two are made of, Vera spat. Sold your daughter for safety and status.

Two days later, a delegation appeared at Veras door: Emilys parents, husband in tow.

Emily must return to her husband immediately! Patricia declared the moment she crossed the threshold.

She doesnt have to do anything you say! Vera shot back, standing in front of Emilys bedroom door. Shes your daughter. Why do you treat her like a stranger? What sort of parents are you?

This is your toxic influence! Patricia accused, voice rising. Youre ruining our chances with Councillor Bennett. I wont let her throw it all away for a tantrum.

Maybe Councillor Bennett should teach his son not to raise a fist to a defenceless woman, Vera countered, eyes boring into Tom.

Tom looked at his feet. Patricia tried to defend her son-in-law. It was just a little slap. Everyone argues, its nothing.

Mark, do you agree with that? Vera asked, turning on her son.

Mum, let them work it out, Mark shrugged. Emily does overreact a bit, she could try being less sensitive.

Veras hand shot out, landing a stinging slap on his cheek, before she cuffed Patricia and Tom for good measure. The three of them gaped.

Thats me being affectionate. Just for fun. What, doesnt feel good? Offended? Maybe youre just too sensitive. Best work on your character then. Go home.

She opened the front door and began shoving them out. And take that rat of a boy with you. And tell his father to raise him better. Patricia, if you want to bow to Councillor Bennett that much, you marry his son yourself!

Youll never see me in this house again! Patricia screamed down the stairs.

Good riddance! Vera called after her. Mediocre daughter-in-law, dreadful mother.

She closed the door and rubbed her hands. Emily, whod stayed hidden in her room, peered out anxiously.

Oh Emily, youve got to learn to stand up for yourself. Therell always be people you have to fight off, and living for others is just giving up on your own life. No one will thank you for it.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Patricia raged at Mark. You need to stop your weirdo mother from meddling! What will the neighbours think? Emilys marriage was our ticket into real society, and if she divorces, its all over! Over! Do you understand?

Why do you even want to be rubbing shoulders with that lot? Mark sighed. Weve got enough, havent we?

No! Im sick of not mattering! I want moneystatuspeoples envy!

Mark sighed again, ears ringing. His wifes shrieks had become unbearable lately, and he longed for somewhere to hide. All he managed to say was, Ill speak to Mum.

Yeah, you do that, mummys boy, Patricia mocked.

Mark walked out, slumping into the next room. Confrontation was never his thingit was easier to give in, always had been.

The next day, Mark showed up at his mothers door.

Dont even ask, Vera said immediately.

Wasnt going to, he replied.

Then what are you here for? Vera eyed him.

Can I stay here for a bit? He looked tired.

Shes driven you out?

I cant cope with her rows anymore. Shes lost the plot.

Its your own fault, Vera said bluntly. You need to stand your ground, make it clear whats what. All this yes-mum, yes-wife, just turns you into a doormat.

Mark nodded. Emily came and sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. She knew how her mother always overpowered her father, quiet and scholarly, with barely any backbone left.

Good thing Emily got out early, Vera said, with affection in her eyes. You two need to take charge of your own lives. Only you can decide how good your life will be. Got it, you two?

Emily and Mark nodded. Vera shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated.

Long way to go with this lot… she muttered.

That same day, Mark packed his things and announced to Patricia he was leaving. She took it as she did everything that didnt fit her perfect plan: shrieking, breaking crockery, lobbing whatever she could at Marks head.

Tom rang Emily every day, first begging, then demanding, finally threatening her to come home. She stood her ground. She wouldnt go backshe had plans for a different life.

A week later, Councillor Bennett himself showed up at Veras door, red-faced, booming,

Have you all gone stark raving mad? One runs off from her husband, the other from his wife! Have you both completely lost it? Youd best get back to your familiesand you, Mrs Clark, stop indulging this nonsense!

Before Emily or Mark could say a word, Vera planted her hands on her hips and shot back,

And who are you, trying to tell me how to live? Go teach your son some manners!

I already have, Bennett said, softening a little. He wont do it again.

You should have made sure he never even thought of it, Vera retorted.

Theres no need to make a fuss. Our lad cares for herhell change. Dont bring shame on everyone with divorce, or Ill tell everyone your granddaughters a cheat. Or dirty. Or something of the sort.

Greg, dont try me, Vera replied evenly. Because I could easily say you wet yourself in primary schoolimagine which rumour would catch the publics fancy: your feckless son abandoned by his wife, or the story of a pillar of the community with questionable childhood habits? Which dyou think the papers would run with?

Greg turned pale. You wouldnt say that?

Vera had been his teacher in lower school, and everyone would believe her, true or not. Even if disproved, the rumour would stick.

Well see, Greg, all depends how you behave.

Greg shrank a bit, then tried to recover himself.

Understood, he said finally.

Thats better! Now, a week in a top spa for Emily and me, to work through our trauma. And youll tell everyone Emily left to look after her gran. Got it?

Greg thought it over. Despite his position, Vera was always his old teacher; he hadnt stood a chance. She knew exactly how to handle peoplesometimes the carrot, sometimes the stick, and sometimes outright blackmail.

Done, he agreed. Ill make the booking. Sorry for all this. And for my sonnot much of a job raising him, was it?

Spot on, Vera agreed. Go do it now. And my advice, Greg: live by your conscience, not gossip. If you do right, people wont judge you.

Greg nodded silently and left. He sorted out the week at the spa, just as promised. Hed never stopped respecting Vera, and he even liked Emilyfelt genuinely sorry his son had messed things up.

Emily and Toms divorce took another year; by then, both had moved on, so it went smoothly. Emily married again and found real happiness, two kids, and she brought her gran to live with them, just as Vera had done for her.

Mark, for all his plans, never did get divorced. He stayed on at his mothers, peaceful at last.