(It is Freda's wedding day, and her father has come into the room to see her.)

EDWIN ASHTON
Hello, love. You wanted me?

FREDA ASHTON
Well, here I am. I'm ready...nearly an hour before I'm supposed to be. Now, in the whole history of the female sex, wouldn't you say that was very probably a record?

EDWIN
Almost certainly, I should say. You look very nice.

FREDA
I do?

EDWIN
"Stunning" would be my word.

FREDA
(looking about the bedroom)
Well, you wouldn't think there was a war on, would you?

EDWIN
Well, no reason why you should today.

FREDA
I always do when I'm in this room. I mean, it was the boys' room...David and Philip and Robert.

EDWIN
Yes.

(He sighs.)

FREDA
Does it still hurt?

EDWIN
You mustn't think about things like that on your wedding day.

FREDA
And why not?

EDWIN
Because it's supposed to be the happiest day of your life, that's why not.

FREDA
And the most important?

EDWIN
And the most important!

FREDA
Mmm.

(A thought strikes her.)

FREDA
It's taken you a long time to get me off your hands, hasn't it, Dad?

EDWIN
Now, when Have I ever wanted to get you off my hands? Mind you, I'm glad for you to leave this house, though.

FREDA
Oh, I've been very happy here, apart from the last few years.

EDWIN
(smiling)
Yes, the last few years have taken the edge off a bit, haven't they?

FREDA
And what would you do if I didn't go or came running back again?

EDWIN
It wouldn't be you to do that. You're the one that really knows what she wants. I used to think it was Margaret, but I was wrong. You gave him a hard time, though, didn't you?

FREDA
(feigning surprise)
Ian. Did I?

EDWIN
I'd give him a medal for perseverance, anyway.

(Freda laughs.)

EDWIN
I don't think he's interested in medals, though. I think he'll probably settle for you.

FREDA
(deep in thought)
You know, it's hard when people expect so much of you...I mean, hard to live up to. When you're tempted to do something that you know would hurt them, it counts...too much, perhaps. "Doing the right thing," as Margaret would say. But who knows what's right, in the end? Everything's always much more complicated than it seems at the time.

(Edwin steps closer to his daughter.)

EDWIN
Wedding day nerves?

FREDA
Yes, I suppose so.
(sighing)
Oh, well, there are no shining knights on white horses, are there, Dad? It is all in the past.

(With a sigh of his own, Edwin puts his arm around her.)

EDWIN
It always was, my love.

 

(from "The Fundamental Things Apply" by John Finch)