Give it back, Mum, Im not handing over that ring! Poppys voice trembled with outrage. You gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday!
Sweetheart, understand its more than a piece of jewellery, Eleanor Smith fingered the folds of her woollen cardigan. It belonged to your grandmother, and now its meant for Katie.
Katie? What does my sister have to do with it? Poppy lunged for the chest of drawers and yanked open the top drawer. Why does she suddenly need my ring?
Eleanor sank heavily onto the edge of the sofa. The argument was turning sour, but she wasnt about to back down.
Katies wedding is coming up, you know that. Max has proposed, and theyre short of money for a wedding band. I promised wed help.
We? Poppy snatched a tiny velvet box from the drawer and clenched it tightly. Did you even ask me?
Poppy dear, her mothers voice softened pleadingly, its a family heirloom. The ring is supposed to pass to the woman who first gets married. Katies starting a family, and you?
So Im the old maid now, huh? Poppy sneered bitterly. What does it matter that Im over thirty and still single? This ring is the only thing you ever gave me from the heart. I remember you saying, Take good care of it, love, it will bring you happiness.
Eleanor rose and tried to place a hand on Poppys shoulder, but Poppy stepped away.
You always pick Katie, Poppy whispered, opening the box. The gold band with a small garnet at its centre caught the evening light filtering through the curtains. She always gets the best the pretty dresses, the pricey toys, your attention
That isnt true! Eleanor protested. I love you both equally!
Is that so? Poppy slipped the ring onto her ring finger. Remember when I went to university and Katie was in that school competition? Whom did you go to support? Who did you rush to the prom with? Who did you console after her first breakup?
Eleanors eyes dropped. There was a grain of truth in Poppys words, but admitting it felt painful.
Katie is five years younger. She needed more of my time.
Exactly, Poppy said. And now she wants my ring.
A knock sounded at the hall door. Poppys heart jumpedshe wasnt expecting anyone. Eleanor dabbed away a fresh tear and went to answer.
Katie, love, come in, her mothers tone instantly turned warm and honeyed.
Poppy clenched her teeth, longing to bolt to her room and shut the door on the farce. Yet she stayed rooted in the living room, fists clenched.
Hey, sis! Katie burst in like a minitornado, her flaming red hair and freckles making her look younger than her twentyfive years. Whats all this serious talk? You look like you just squeezed a lemon!
We were discussing Grandmas ring, Poppy replied flatly.
Oh, Mum told you already? Katie flopped into an armchair, crossing her legs. Im thrilled! Max proposed, and were thinking of marrying at the end of spring. Only problemrings cost a bit, and wed love something special.
So youre taking my ring? Poppy stared straight into Katies eyes.
Its not mine, its Grandmas, Katie shrugged. Mum said tradition says it should go to the first woman who marries. You dont mind, do you?
Poppy glanced at her mother, who stood off to the side, fidgeting with the edge of her cardigan.
I dont, Poppy said firmly. It was given to me, and I wont give it up.
But, Poppy, her mother interjected, were family. We should help each other.
Yeah, Katie added. Besides, it just sits in that box collecting dust.
A lump rose in Poppys throat. She wanted to answer, but the words got stuck. Instead she walked out, slamming the door shut.
Back in her bedroom, she flopped onto the bed, face pressed into the pillow. They always decide everything for me without asking. Its as if Im an afterthought.
She recalled the day she first received the ring. She had turned eighteen, and she and her friends were heading to a café for her birthday. Before they left, Mum called her into her room.
Sweetheart, I have something special for you, Eleanor had said, pulling out a little velvet box. Its my mothers ring, your greatgrandmothers. It passes from mother to daughter. It brings happiness and helps you find true love.
At the time Poppy hadnt given it much thought; she was just happy that Mum had finally given her something truly valuable. All the best things usually went to Katie, the younger, favoured daughter.
A knock at her door interrupted the memory.
Poppy, may I come in? Katies voice was unusually gentle.
No, Poppy growled, but the door opened a crack and Katies red head slipped through.
Dont be angry, Katie said, sitting on the edge of the bed. I didnt know the ring meant so much to you.
Poppy sat up, wiping her reddened eyes. It isnt the ring, Katie. Its that you and Mum always decide for me, as if my feelings dont count.
Katies brow furrowed. Thats not true. We love you.
Love? Poppy smirked bitterly. Then why does Mum always pick you? Why do you get the time, the money, the attention, while I get the scraps?
What are you saying? Katie gasped. Mum never treated us differently!
Really? Poppy lifted her hand, the ring glinting. And now you want to take the only thing I truly treasure.
I didnt know you were so attached, Katie whispered. Mum just said its tradition
Theres no tradition! Poppy snapped. She made it up to please you, as usual.
Eleanor entered, looking upset. Girls, please stop fighting. Katie, go make a cup of tea. I need to speak with Poppy alone.
Katie nodded and left. Eleanor sat beside her daughter.
Poppy, Im sorry, she said, taking Poppys hand. I never meant to hurt you.
You did, Poppy said, withdrawing her hand. As always.
Do you really think I love Katie more? Eleanors eyes glistened with pain.
I know I do, Poppy said, standing and moving to the window. All my life Ive felt secondary. Always Katie, Katie, Katie And now you want to strip away the only reminder that I was ever loved.
Eleanor lowered her head, silence hanging heavy. At last she whispered, Youre right. I did give Katie more attention, but not because I love her more. You grew up fast, independent. Katie stayed a child who needed constant care.
Thats no excuse, Poppy said, shaking her head.
I know, Eleanor sighed. I love you both equally, just in different ways.
The room fell quiet. Finally, Eleanor spoke softly, The ring is yours. I have no right to take it. Im sorry I upset you.
Mum, Poppy asked, does the ring really bring lovehappiness?
Eleanor managed a weak smile. Grandma believed so. When she gave it to me, I wasnt married yet. She said, Wear it and it will guide you to true love. A month later I met your father.
Poppy glanced at the garnet, which glowed like a drop of frozen blood. But you and Dad split up, she noted.
Yes, but we had wonderful years, and I have you two. Isnt that happiness?
Just then Katie appeared with a tray holding three mugs of tea and a tin of biscuits.
Peace? she asked, eyes darting between mother and sister.
Poppy took a mug, sipped, and nodded.
They settled in the lounge, Katie babbling about her upcoming weddingthe dress, the flowerswhile Poppy turned the ring over in her hand.
What about the ring for you and Max? she asked, cutting through the excitement.
Its nothing yet, Katie admitted, looking down. He proposed, but hes currently unemployed, and my modest admin salary cant cover a proper band.
So thats why you came for mine, Poppy said.
Yes, Katie confessed. Mum told me about Grandmas ring, and I thought But now I see I was wrong. Its yours, and I shouldnt have claimed it.
Katies eyes filled with tears. In that moment Poppy realised that her jealousy had roots in years of feeling secondbest. Katie wasnt a spoiled brat; she was a young woman genuinely sorry for hurting her sister.
You know what, Poppy said, sliding the ring off her finger, Ill lend it to you for the weddingjust for one day. Then you give it back.
Really? Katie beamed. Youre not joking?
No joke, Poppy handed it over. Try it on.
Katie slipped the ring onto her finger; it was a little big.
Itll need resizing, she noted.
Dont worry about that, Poppy laughed. Its only for a day, remember?
Got it, Katie said, gratitude shining. Thank you, sis. You have no idea how much this means.
Eleanor watched, tears streaming, and pulled Poppy into a hug. Youre my gold, darling! Im sorry Ive been unfair to you all these years.
Dont make a fuss, Mum, Poppy blushed. Lets just move on.
The evening drifted on over tea and wedding chatter. Poppy even offered to help organise Katies celebration. The tension melted, and a cosy atmosphere settled in.
When Katie prepared to leave, she removed the ring and handed it back.
Keep it safeIm scared Ill lose it before the big day, she said.
Poppy tucked it into its velvet box and watched her sister out the door. Later, Eleanor cleared the cups from the table.
Thank you, love, she said, embracing Poppy. Youve shown such forgiveness and generosity today. Im proud of you.
Dont exaggerate, Poppy chuckled. I only lent the ring for a day, not gave it away forever.
Its still a noble act, her mother insisted.
That night Poppy lay awake, thinking about the ring, the old family tale, and the promised happiness in love. In thirteen years of owning it she hadnt found her own true love. Perhaps shed been too reluctant to wear it.
The next morning her phone rang. It was Katie.
Poppy, you wont believe it! Max got a great job with a solid salary! Hes already signed the contract!
Congratulations, Poppy murmured, still sleepy. Im happy for you both.
And guess what? Katie chirped. When I told Max about the ring and how you kindly lent it, he said the call about the job came the same morning. Maybe the ring does bring luck!
Poppy smiled. Maybe so. Im glad things are working out for you.
Come over this weekend, lets celebrate! Katie urged.
Ill try, Poppy replied. Ive got a lot of work.
After the call, Poppy stared at the ceiling, feeling a shift. The argument that could have driven a wedge between them now seemed to have pulled them closer. It was as if a heavy stone, long lodged on her heart, finally moved.
That afternoon another call came. It was her mother.
Poppy, I was thinking would you like to visit us this weekend? Ill bake your favourite apple crumble.
Poppy raised an eyebrow. Mum rarely invited her without a reason.
Whats up? she asked.
Nothing, Eleanor said, a hint of remorse in her voice. I just want to see my daughter. Isnt that odd?
Not at all, Poppy replied after a pause. Alright, Ill come.
The weekend arrived. As Poppy approached her parents semidetached house in outer London, a flutter of nerves rose. Since moving into her own flat three years ago, her relationship with her mother had grown distantonly holiday visits and occasional calls.
Eleanor met her at the door, a small velvet box in hand.
Come in, love, she said, pulling Poppy into a warm hug. Im thrilled youre here.
The kitchen smelled of fresh apple crumble. A tea set waited on the table.
Mum, whats this about? Poppy asked, eyeing the box.
Its a surprise, Eleanor replied, eyes bright. Open it.
Inside lay a delicate gold ring with a tiny emerald at its centre.
Mum, what does this mean? Poppy whispered.
This was my grandmothers ring, your greatgrandmothers, Eleanor said, voice trembling. I kept it all these years, and now I want to give it to you, so you know I love you as much as Katie. I just never knew how to show it.
Poppy stared at the emerald, remembering the old story. Grandma said emerald stands for wisdom, Eleanor added. Youve always been wise, even as a child. Try it on?
Poppy slipped the ring on; it fit perfectly, as if crafted for her.
Thank you, Mum, she said softly. Its beautiful.
Eleanor took her hand. Im sorry. You were rightI gave Katie more attention, and that was unfair. You deserve more.
They embraced, and the years of resentment seemed to dissolve.
Mom, what happened to the ring you gave me, the one I lent to Katie? Poppy asked later.
It isnt really mine, Eleanor admitted. I bought it when your father and I married, then made up the story about Grandma so youd cherish it. The happiness in love part? Well, it certainly brought happiness to me, and now to Katie too.
Poppy examined the new ring on her finger, the emerald glimmering calmly. She felt, at last, truly at home.
When she left, Eleanor walked her to the door.
Youve made me proud, Poppy, she said. Youve grown into a wonderful person despite my mistakes.
Stop it, Mum, Poppy laughed, blushing. Were fine now.
Outside, night had fallen. As Poppy walked to the tube, she reflected on how a quarrel over a ring could have torn the family apart, yet it forced everyone to speak their hurts and start anew. Sometimes you must voice every grievance to turn a new page.
She glanced at the emeraldset ring shining on her hand. The emerald was steady and deep, like the love she now felt from her mother. The garnet, bright and passionate, suited Katie perfectly.
Perhaps there was something to her greatgrandmothers words after all. Loves happiness may not always arrive as a perfect romance, but it can blossom in forgiveness, understanding, and the willingness to share what we hold dear. That, she realised, was the true treasure.
