Poppy never imagined, at twenty, what lay ahead. She was a university student, headoverheels for Daniel, already whispering about a wedding because the conversation had slipped that way.
Daniel was a few years older. Hed finished his stint in the Army before the autumn prom at their secondary school, when Poppy was still in Year11. She remembered the first time she saw him like it was yesterday. Though they lived in the same town and went to the same school, hed left a year before her.
What a dreamboat! Poppy thought as she caught sight of him.
He walked into the hall, scanning for familiar faces, then locked eyes with her and smiled. Instantly, she was smitten. Could she really have fallen for someone so striking, so unlike the other lads?
Hi, Im Daniel. And you are? he asked, strolling over. Poppy blushed, her cheeks turning pink. May I have this dance? he said, taking her by the waist and spinning her onto the floor.
Poppy she murmured.
She felt as if she were floating; Daniel guided her confidently, and she sensed every step he took.
Poppy, youve got rhythm, he grinned.
The whole evening he stayed by her side. By the end theyd agreed hed see her off. They walked and talked for ages, reluctant to part, but Poppy knew she had to get homeher mum would be worrying.
Daniel never let her be bored. After school she went on to university in their town, while Daniel took a job. He didnt know what boredom felt like; his sunshine attitude lifted everyone nearby. He had a wide circle of mates, and Poppy often joined them at parties and weddings.
Even in the dead of winter hed bring her roses. Every date felt like a minicelebration. Theyd linger in cafés, escape to the countryside, or head out with friends.
When Poppy was on her third year, Daniel dropped a surprise.
Holiday breaks coming up. Ive booked two ski passes for us at the resort. Theyve got topnotch instructors wholl have you carving down slopes in no time.
Yay, Daniel! Youre the best! she squealed, clinging to his neck. Then, remembering her own nerves, she added, Only thing is Im a bit of a scaredycat on the ski lift, and both burst out laughing.
The trip was unforgettable. Poppy soon discovered a talent for skiing and loved it, though she was sad when the fairytale ended. A few weeks later, on International Womens Day, Daniel turned up at her house holding two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he said, handing one to Poppys mum and the other to her. For my beautiful girl, he added with a cheeky kiss on the cheek. Poppy was over the moon.
Darling, why spend so much? her mum asked.
Nothing, love. My mates Sam and Victor are off on a gig, and Im tagging along. They need an electrician for a highvoltage linegood pay, you know. Ill be saving for our wedding and a new car, Daniel replied.
I dont want you to leave, Poppy protested.
Ill be back in three or four months, promise. Well be on the phone all the time. Im dreaming of a proper wedding, and you do too, right?
I do, but a modest one would be fine. The important thing is we stay together, she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Daniel wasnt about to back down, so he left with his friends, earning the decent wages theyd promised. They chatted often.
One day, during a lecture, Poppy felt a vague unease that soon passed. The night before, she hadnt heard from Daniel, so her heart was a little offbeat. She rang him anywayhed always been the one to call. The line was dead. Her pulse thudded so hard she thought it might echo in her temples.
Why isnt Daniel answering? she fretted, dialing five times in a row. Silence.
Desperate, she dug up Victors number and called.
Victor, wheres Daniel?
A familiar voice answered, then mumbled, Hes gone gone forever.
Poppys world tilted. What do you mean gone? she asked, hearing only a harsh click.
Mum! she shrieked, tears bursting.
What followed was a nightmare. Daniel had been electrocuted on that cursed power pole. His mother, Mrs. Whitaker, turned ashen with grief, speaking barely a word. She waited while Daniels father and younger brother, Tom, searched for answers. The funeral was a blur of darkness and endless sorrow.
Poppy sank into a stupor, visiting Mrs. Whitaker often, sitting in silence beside her. They even drove together to the cemetery, standing at Daniels grave.
Mrs. Whitaker clung to Poppy, urging her to stay longer, especially now that school was out for the summer. They toured churches, shared tea, and one afternoon Mrs. Whitaker suggested, Why dont we pop down to the coast for a change of scenery?
Poppy agreed, though the idea felt odd without Daniel. Still, her own mother kept telling her to start letting go. So they booked a week at a seaside town.
The next morning they set off, soaked up the sun, and later lounged in their hotel room. Mrs. Whitaker was finally looking a bit brighter. Poppy stared at her phone, unable to drift off to sleepshe never dozed in the afternoon. Mrs. Whitaker dozed instead.
Life buzzed around them, yet Poppy felt profoundly alone. She slipped out to the promenade, the sea meeting the sky at the horizon, a tiny boat just a speck away. Seagulls squawked, cars honked, children shrieked, couples chattered and laughed. The world was alive; she was the only one feeling empty.
Stunning and sad, a male voice suddenly said.
She turned, almost ready to snap back, but hesitated. The stranger reminded her of Daniel, though she couldnt pinpoint why.
Looks like the gods are being stingy with beauty today, she replied wistfully.
I disagree, the young man retorted. Believe me, Im not a poet. Im Gleb.
Gleb? Im Poppy, she answered.
They exchanged a few more lines before she spun away. Gleb watched her go, having observed her melancholy for days, wondering why she rarely smiled. Hed been sticking to the beach, hoping to learn more about this sorrowful girl.
Two days remained before they had to leave. After a beach stroll, Poppy popped into a shop. As she exited, Gleb rushed over, snatching the grocery bag from her hands.
Can I help? Hope you dont mind, he said, instantly on a firstname basis.
Help away, she replied.
Poppy, could we have a chat? I have a serious talk and a bunch of questions. If youre okay with it, why not join me at that little café by the supermarket? he gestured toward a summer terrace.
Im leaving in three days, Gleb announced, and you?
No, were off tomorrow night. Tickets in hand.
Ah, I thought he paused. Where do you live? she named a town, and he looked surprised.
Did I hear that right? I live there too! He laughed. Great, we wont get lost.
Gleb had graduated from the same university as Poppy and worked for a design office in the council. He was single, freshly out of a breakup, and had fled to the coast to clear his head. Meeting Poppy, he fell for her at first sight.
She confided about her grief and Daniels mother. Gleb was taken aback.
Why are you staying with his mum? Usually, families dont cling that tightly to a sons girlfriend after hes gone. Ive never heard of such a thing.
I dont know, Gleb. I just dont want to hurt her, Poppy admitted.
They swapped numbers and arranged to meet back in town. Poppy had to leave. Suddenly Mrs. Whitaker realized shed lost her, looking displeased.
Poppy, where are you?
Just came back from the shop, then a walk. Whats the trouble?
Being near Mrs. Whitaker was becoming unbearable. Her mothers presence felt oppressive, almost suffocating. Poppys own mum kept urging her to free herself: Let go of that weight. Shes holding you back. Yet Poppys kindness kept her from abandoning Mrs. Whitaker, even after that seaside trip.
She finally decided she couldnt keep living in that limbo. At dinner with Mrs. Whitaker, they packed up. Poppy tried to steer the conversation toward her moving back home and starting anew.
Mrs. Whitaker stared at her oddly, then said, So youre talking about a different life Of course, you have the whole world ahead, and to me youre like family. I imagined youd be pregnant by nowafter all the time you spent with Daniel. I even hoped youd have a child with my own son, Tom
Poppys blood ran cold. No, I dont need anyone, especially Daniels brother, she snapped. Mrs. Whitaker sobbed for the first time since the funeral, and the release seemed to lift a weight from both of them.
From that moment Poppy resolved: her new life would have no room for Mrs. Whitakers grip.
Home, home, she whispered, a smile tugging at her lips. Perhaps meeting Gleb was the best thing that ever happenedhe opened her eyes to the whole tangled mess.
A fresh academic year began. Poppy dated Gleb, and one quiet afternoon she walked alone to Daniels grave.
Goodbye, Daniel, she whispered. I was so happy with you, thanks for every joy. You left too soon, but I have to keep living. Im different now, I have a new life without you. Farewell.
She left the cemetery gates, headed to the car where Gleb waited. With him, Poppy truly felt alive again. She saw Mrs. Whitaker only by chance thereafter. Soon enough, she married Gleb and was expecting their first child.
