Emma is Lauren's 61-year-old mother. She lives in the Grey family home with husband, Clive, and has lived there happily for 36 years. Emma is somewhat of a housewife, something she's very proud of. However, in her youth, before she met Clive, she was much wilder. She was a bit of a party girl who was no stranger to the booze. All that changed though when she met Clive. He was steady, dull, and the first honest, genuine man she had ever dated. She's old-fashioned and doesn't believe women can have both careers and children, so doesn't understand why her other daughter, Deborah, was desperate to start work after her children, Ellie and Charlie, were old enough.