I’ll Find a Better Husband for My Daughter

Ill find a better husband for my daughter

This months going to be tougher, muttered Andrew as he refreshed his banking app.

He let out a sigh. Lately, money seemed to slip through their fingers like sand. He knew the reason, just wasnt ready to say it aloud quite yet.

Andrew stepped out of the lift, loosening his tie on the way. Third floor, fourth door on the left. For three years, that route was ingrained in his bones.

He turned the key in the lock, and the smell of crispy potatoes with parsley hit him straight away. Vera always scattered herbs with such enthusiasm, bless her. Andrew kicked off his shoes and dropped his bag on the sideboard.

Im home, he called.
In the kitchen! Vera replied.

She was stood by the cooker, stirring something in the frying pan. Hair tied up, wearing that favourite checked shirt. Andrew came up behind her and kissed the top of her head.

Mmm, smells brilliant.
Potatoes and mushrooms. Sit down, Ill dish up in a minute.

She smiled, but it didnt quite reach her eyes. Andrew noticedhe always did, that way shed layer cheerfulness over anxiety. Three years together meant he could read his wife like a familiar book.

He sat at the table, watching Vera serve up. Her movements were a bit abrupt, not her usual calm. Something had got to herprobably another chat with her mum. Anna was a master at leaving a sour aftertaste.

Has your mum phoned? Andrew asked, though he knew the answer.

Vera stilled for a heartbeat, then set his plate down and took her own seat.

Yeah. Nothing much.

That was a lie. Anna never phoned for nothing, every single call was laced with a tiny jab.

Andrew didnt probe further. He could push, dig, drag all those words out that Anna poured into her daughters ears. But why? It was always the same list of complaints: low salary, rusty car, no prospects. Same old broken record.

They ate in companionable quiet. Their place was modesta one-bed flat in a brick-built block, but it was theirs, not rented. Andrew bought it before they married and that gave him a warm sort of pride. Not a palace, but honest, hard-earned.

Vera picked at her potatoes. Lost in thought. Probably about her mum again. Anna could linger in your mind like a tune from a catchy advert.

His mother-in-law had disapproved of Andrew from the first meeting. Hed turned up wearing his best jeans and only presentable jumper. Anna eyed him like she was inspecting old stock at a shoplips tight.

What do you do? shed asked.
Im an engineer.
Engineer She said it as though hed confessed something shameful. Is your salary any good then?

Vera had tried to change the subject but the tone had been set. Three years later, Anna hadnt softened a bit.

Every visit was a test of Andrews patience. You know, Sues son opened his second company this year. When are you buying a new car? Yours is about done for. Vera always dreamed of a cottage, did you know that?

Andrew had learned to let it wash pastsmile, nod, keep quiet. No use arguing. Anna had made up her mind and wasnt about to change it.

Vera finished her food and pushed her plate away.

Mum wants us over for dinner on Saturday. Dads birthday.

Andrew tensed, just a little. Saturday dinners at Veras parents were an ordeala long table, a crowd of relatives, and Anna at the head like a general.

What time?
Seven.
Alright. Well stop off for a cake.
Mum said dont bother, shell sort it herself.

Of course she did. Anna loved to micromanage every crumb. Bringing your own cake threatened her sense of order.

Vera gathered the dishes, took them to the sink. Andrew watched her slender back. She always seemed like a sparrow he wanted to shield from every storm. Only the main storm blew straight from her old home, and some winds you just cant hide from.

Vera. She turned around. You know I love you.
And I love you, she whispered.

But something flickered in her facewas it doubt? Weariness? Guilt?
Andrew left it. Sometimes, youre better off not knowing whats really on someones mind, especially when those thoughts are planted by someone else.

Saturday came far too quickly

Andrew parked his old Ford outside Annas block of flats. The paint on the wing had flaked off last autumn, and hed never got round to brushing it up. Vera sat beside him, fiddling with her bag strap.

Ready?
No, she admitted, but weve got to go up.

Annas flat greeted them with the scent of roast beef and the buzz of family chatter. Veras dad, Peter, was a gentle, quiet manhe hugged his daughter and shook Andrews hand. The birthday chap looked a bit overwhelmed by all the attention.

Family had already squeezed around the long tableaunts, uncles, cousins. Andrew still couldnt put names to all the faces after three years. Anna presided at the head, dishing out orders to the youngest.

Andrew sat next to Vera, near the edgea quick escape, if he had to bail.

The first half hour went peacefully. Glasses clinked, toasts for Peters health, laughter. Andrew started to relax and reached for the bread.

Andrew, Anna piped up, and his heart sank. Shouldnt have got complacent. Youre still living in that one-bed flat, arent you?
Yes, Anna. Its enough for us.
Enough, Anna echoed. What about children, then? Where will you put a baby in that shoebox?

Vera went stiff beside him. Andrew slipped his hand over hers, under the table.

When we decide to have kids, well sort out a bigger place.
Youll sort it out. Anna smirked. On your salary? You ought to get a mortgage, Andrew. Thats what normal people do. Buy a bigger flat. Thats how you build up.

I dont want to pile up debts, Andrew replied calmly. We own our home. Its enough for now.

Enough! Anna glanced round for backup. Hear that? He says enough. His wifes stuck in a broom closet while her friends move into spacious flats.

Mum, Vera started quietly.

Shush, Im talking to your husband. Anna turned to Andrew. Remember Sues lad, David? Took out two loans, now hes got a three-bed in the centre and a German car. And you? Driving that heap, living in a box. Arent you embarrassed?

Andrew slowly set his fork down. Three years. Three years swallowing the sly digs, the comparisons, the contempt. For Vera. For their peace.

Im not embarrassed, he said steadily. I earn honestly. I dont steal, I dont cheat. I live within my means.

Means! Anna shot up, slapping her palm on the table so hard the glasses rattled and a fork clattered to the floor. Her face was blotchy red.

Youre not a real man, youre spineless! My daughter deserves a decent husband, not you! Ill find her someone better myself!

Silence fell like a blanket. Family froze with forks lifted. Peter stared at his plate, not daring to look at his wife.

Andrew stood up, slow and steady. Three years of holding back ended there.

Anna, he said. Im done proving myself to someone who despises me. If you think Im not good enough, thats up to you. But I wont let you insult me anymore.

Vera had her eyes wide on her husband, then flicked to her mum. The two most important people in her life were drawing a line, and it demanded a choice.

Vera stood.

Mum. I love you. But if you ever insult my husband again, well leave and we wont come back.

Anna froze.

What did you just say?
You heard me. Andrew is my husband. I chose him myself. And I wont let you put him down. Not ever again.
How dare you! Anna spluttered, red with rage. Ungrateful little cow! I raised you, brought you up, and nownow you choose this this pathetic excuse for a man!

Mum, enough!

Veras shout cut through the air. The family shrank back in their seatseven Aunt Liz, who normally commented on everything, held her tongue.

Youve controlled my life for years, Vera went on, her lips trembling. What to wear, who to be friends with, who to love. Enough now. Im an adult. I decide who Im with, and how I live.

Anna glared at her daughter, face pale and jaw set.

Youll regret this, she said coldly. When he leaves you with nothing, youll come crawling back. And Ill think twice before I let you in.

Anna swept past, ignoring both Vera and Andrew, and slammed the bedroom door.

Andrew stepped over and enveloped Vera in a hug. She buried her face in his chest, shoulders trembling.

You did the right thing, he whispered into her hair. Im proud of you.

Peter got up slowly from the table.

Go home, you two, he said quietly. Let her cool off. She willone day.

Vera was silent all the way home in the car. Andrew didnt push. Some wounds have to heal in their own time.

Back at their little flat, Vera finally spoke:

Im not calling her first.
Ill back whatever you decide.

She looked up at himeyes tired, red from tears. But somewhere there, a new fire had sparked.

Well get through this, she said.

Andrew pulled his wife close. Outside, the sunset was fading. Their tiny flat no longer felt crampedit was a fortress. And they both knew, things were only just beginning for them.