No, Margaret! Im not giving that dress away! Its mine! Kates voice cracks into a scream.
Kate, we promised Ellie has been dreaming about it for months! Margaret throws her hands up, helpless, not knowing how to persuade her daughterinlaw.
There was no promise! No agreement at all! Its a family heirloom and Ive kept it for my own child! Kate paces the room, snatching up objects and thudding them back onto the shelves.
Poppy sits quietly in the corner, watching the showdown. The older sister of the father and the grandmother are at it again. Kate is usually hottempered and stubborn, but today she seems even more agitated. Normally she keeps her cool, especially around Poppy, but the dress has become the spark for a fullblown storm.
Kate, please stop, Simon, Poppys father, places a hand on his sisters shoulder, but she jerks it away.
Dont tell me what to do! Youve always been Mums boy! Kate snaps. This dress belonged to my motherinlaw, Mikes mother! Im the only one who decides who gets it!
But Mikes mother wanted every bride in the family to wear it, Margaret says softly. She told me that herself before she died.
She meant real brides! Kate emphasizes the word real with venom. Not someone like your Ellie! Shes been engaged three times and nothing worked out. Maybe its a sign?
A heavy silence settles over the room. Margarets face turns pale, Simon frowns, and Poppy sinks into the armchair, hoping to become invisible. She breathes shallowly so as not to draw attention. At fifteen, Poppy already knows that family quarrels are a minefield best avoided, especially when a greatgrandmothers wedding dress is at stake.
How can you say that? Margarets trembling voice cuts the quiet. Ellie is your niece!
So what? Niece, not daughter! Kate tosses her hands. I have a real daughter, you know, and Im keeping the dress for her!
Your Mary is only twelve! Simon retorts. And Ellie is getting married next month!
Then let her buy another dress! Its not hard; every bridal boutique has hundreds of them!
Poppy knows the dress is truly special. Its an old, handcrafted piece with delicate lace and tiny pearl stitches along the bodice, stored in a soft case in Kates cottage. She has seen it just once, when the family was sorting through old photographs. In the pictures, greatgrandmother Eleanor looks like a storybook princesstall, slender, her shoulders highlighted by the dresss elegant cut.
You both understand this isnt just any dress, Margaret says gently. Eleanor wanted it to bring happiness to every bride in our line. She wore it herself in 45 when her husband returned from the war.
I know that! Kate interrupts. Thats why I want to keep it for Mary! By the time Ellie has her third wedding, the dress will be too worn; the fabric is thinning.
Ellie will treat it with care, Margaret pleads. Shell even find a tailor to adjust it without damage.
No! Thats the end of the discussion!
Kate moves toward the door, but Simon blocks her path.
Wait, his voice is calm but firm. Lets talk without shouting. Sit down, please.
I have nothing to discuss with you! Kate tries to slip past him, but he stays rooted.
Kate, you know Moms wishes. Eleanor wanted the dress to pass from bride to bride. That was her will.
My will is to keep it for my daughter! Kate crosses her arms. I dont see why youre all attacking me. The dress is in my care, so I decide who gets it!
Poppy rises slowly and heads for the exit. These adult fights always wear her out. She barely takes three steps when Kate calls out:
Poppy! Tell me, girl, would you like to wear this dress when you get married?
All eyes turn to her. Poppy freezes, unsure how to answer. She really doesnt want to be dragged into the argument.
I I dont know, Aunt Kate, she says cautiously. I havent even thought about marriage yet.
See! Kate proclaims triumphantly. Even Poppy doesnt want the dress! Why force Ellie to wear it?
Kate, stop pulling the child into this, Simon says wearily. Poppy, go back to your room.
Grateful for the reprieve, Poppy slips out of the room. On her way to her bedroom she hears voices rise again. She shuts the door, collapses onto the bed, and cushions her ears with a pillow, but the echo of the argument still filters through the thin walls.
Days pass and a tense quiet settles over the house. Aunt Kate stops coming over, Margaret wanders with redrimmed eyes, and Simon spends most of his time at work. Poppy tries to ignore the heaviness, but it clings to her.
On Saturday morning, while Poppy eats breakfast, the phone rings. Margaret answers, and Poppy recognises the voice of Ellie on the other end.
Yes, Ellie No, love, not now I understand, of course Maybe we should look for another dress? I know, dear, I know
The call ends, and Margaret sighs heavily, sinking into the chair beside her granddaughter.
Grandma, everything alright? Poppy asks gently.
Its fine, love, Margaret forces a smile that doesnt reach her eyes. Ellies upset about the dress.
Why is it so important to her?
Margaret gazes out the window before answering.
You see, Poppy, your greatgrandmother Eleanor was an extraordinary woman. She survived war, famine, loss, yet she kept a fierce love that seemed to glow around her. This dress it absorbed that love. Eleanor wore it when she married your greatgrandfather Thomas after the war. Then your grandmother Sophie, my older sister, wore it. Then your mother did. Every bride in the family found happiness.
And Aunt Kate? Poppy asks.
Shes special too, but after Mike died she shut herself away. This dress is the one thing she clings to. She fears losing it.
Poppy nods, only partly understanding. The idea of holding onto a piece of fabric as a lifeline feels odd.
Why did Kate call Ellie not a real bride?
Margaret sighs.
Ellies life has been tough. Shes been engaged twice, both times falling apart at the last minute. Now shes with Daniel, and they truly love each other. Shes been dreaming of the dress, believing it will bring her luck.
Could we not make a new dress that looks like the old one? Poppy suggests. Maybe it would be just as lucky?
Oh, Poppy, Margaret rubs Poppys hair. Its not about the cloth, its about the tradition, the link to our ancestors. Its a thread that ties all the women together.
Just then, Simon walks in, looking tired but resolute.
Mum, I just spoke with Kate on the phone, he says. Shes firm. She wont give up the dress.
Oh, Simon, Margaret groans. What do we do? Ellies wedding is less than a month away
I think we should respect Kates decision, Simon replies. After all, the dress is in her hands.
But its unfair! Margaret exclaims. Eleanor wanted every bride to have it
Mum, I know, Simon interrupts gently. But we cant force Kate. That would only tear the family further apart.
Poppy watches the adults, turning a teaspoon in her cup. An idea suddenly sparks.
Dad, Grandma, she says timidly. What if I talk to Aunt Kate? Maybe shell listen to me.
Simon and Margaret exchange a glance.
No, Poppy, this is adult business, Simon shakes his head. You shouldnt get involved.
But Im part of the family, Poppy insists. Aunt Kate has always been kind to me. Maybe I can persuade her.
Im not sure, love, Margaret muses. Kate does love you, but this is delicate.
Please, Poppy pleads. Ill just try. If it doesnt work, thats that.
After a long discussion, Simon agrees to drive Poppy to Kates cottage on Sunday. The whole afternoon she rehearses what to say. Her plan is vague, but she hopes her intuition will guide her.
Kate lives in an old stone house on the outskirts of York, the same house Eleanor once owned. After Mikes death, Kate stayed there with her daughter Mary.
Are you sure you want to go alone? Simon asks as he stops the car by the gate.
Yes, Dad, Poppy replies. Itll be better if you dont think Im being pushed.
Alright, Simon sighs. Ill wait here. Call if anything changes.
Poppy steps out, heart pounding, hands a little shaky. She rings the doorbell and hears familiar footsteps.
Poppy? Kate says, surprised, opening the door. What are you doing here?
Hi, Aunt Kate, Poppy smiles. May I come in?
Sure, come in, Kate steps aside, still wary. Youre probably here to ask for the dress, arent you? I wont change my mind.
Im just here to talk, Poppy replies, moving toward the kitchen. And Id like to see Mary, if shes home.
Shes at a friends, Kate says, softening a bit. Come, have a cup of tea. Ive just baked an applecinnamon cake.
The kitchen smells of vanilla and warm apples. Kate places a teapot on the table and cuts a slice.
So, just talk? Kate asks, slicing the cake. About what?
About greatgrandmother Eleanor, Poppy begins. You lived in her house, you must know a lot about her.
Kates expression relaxes as she pours tea.
Yes, I do, she says, handing Poppy a cup. Eleanor was a remarkable woman. When I first met Mikes mother, she treated me like her own daughter. She taught me how to bake, knit, run a household She told stories of the war, of waiting for her Thomas, believing he would return even when everyone said he was dead.
The dress? Poppy asks gently.
Kate pauses, then nods.
Its a special dress. Eleanor stitched it herself from bits of fabric she collected over the years. The last piece came from a neighbour who brought a scrap of linen from London after the Blitz. Can you imagine? People were starving, yet someone saved a bit of cloth for her. She poured love and hope into every stitch, praying Thomas would come home, that theyd have children and grandchildren. And it worked.
So she wanted every bride to wear it? Poppy repeats.
Exactly, Kate whispers. She believed the dress carried the love of every woman who wore it, growing stronger with each generation.
Then why wont you give it to Ellie? Poppy asks directly.
Kates face tightens, as if a memory has been pricked.
I said Im keeping it for Mary! she says. Shes only twelve, and Ellies already over thirty. This would be her third attempt at marriage. Something feels off.
Is there something wrong with Ellies hope? Poppy wonders, genuinely. Is it bad to keep believing in love?
Kate opens her mouth to argue but finds no words.
Aunt Kate, Poppy continues softly, maybe Ellie wants the dress because she needs that extra boost of confidence, the same belief Eleanor put into it.
Kate looks at her cup, then at the lace pattern on the table cloth.
Besides, what if the dress gets torn or stained? Kate whispers. Its a relic; you cant just wash it or alter it.
But Eleanor didnt make it to sit in a closet forever, Poppy replies. She wanted it to live, to bring joy, to link hearts.
A long silence follows. Finally, Kate rises and walks to the pantry, returning with a sturdy cardboard box.
Here, she places it on the table and opens it. This is it.
Poppy holds her breath. Inside, on layers of soft tissue, lies the creamcoloured dress: high collar, long sleeves, countless tiny buttons down the back, delicate lace around the cuffs, and a bodice embroidered with minute pearls forming an intricate design.
Its beautiful, Poppy whispers.
Yes, Kate says, pride in her voice. Eleanor was a true craftswoman. I wore it on my wedding day, and your mother did too. Youve seen the photos, havent you?
I have, but I never paid attention to the dress, Poppy admits. So it really did pass from bride to bride?
It did, Kate runs a finger over the lace. After your mother, it came back to me, and I decided to keep it for Mary.
What would Eleanor think if she saw this family tearing over her dress? Poppy asks quietly.
Kate shivers at the thought.
Shed be sad, she says barely audible. She always said family is what matters most, that no object should break relationships.
Aunt Kate, Poppy reaches out and squeezes Kates hand. I think the dress should go to Ellie. Then, after the wedding, she could return it to you, and later you could pass it to Mary when the time is right. That way the tradition continues.
Kate looks at the dress, then at Poppys earnest eyes. She breathes deeply.
You know whats odd? When I wore it, it seemed to fit me perfectly, as if it was made just for me. The same happened with your mother. It almost feels magical.
Maybe thats the magic, Poppy smiles.
Kate finally cracks a smile.
Perhaps, she says, closing the box. Ill give the dress to Ellie, but only for the wedding day, and she must bring it back afterwards. Ill help her with any alterations myself, no outside tailors.
Im sure shell agree, Poppy says, hugging Kate. Thank you.
An hour later, Simon arrives, eyes wide at the sight of the box.
Kate? You
Im giving Ellie the dress, just for the ceremony, and Ill be there to help, Kate says firmly.
Thank you, Simon embraces her. Were grateful.
Ellie and Daniels wedding takes place at the end of April. The day is sunny and warm. Ellie looks stunning in Eleanors dress,As Ellie walked down the aisle, the centuriesold lace seemed to glow, binding past and future generations in a single, radiant promise of love.
