Dear Diary,
A week of solitude will soften her, turning her into something as smooth as silk. Yet when Tom saw what had happened during that time, he froze the moment he crossed the threshold.
Poppy hasnt been herself lately. Cracks have begun to appear in her marriage, and she feels trapped in a torment she cant untangle. It all started with the little things, as it always does.
After work Tom began to pepper her with venomous remarks. His jokes were laced with spite, each word cutting deeper than a slap. Day by day his behaviour grew worse, even when they were on holiday he gave her no respite.
Look at you, you look like an old hag! hed bark, never looking up from his phone. Other blokes have wives who look like wives, and mine is a shriveled prune!
The truth was that Poppy did look older than her years. Her job was grueling, leaving lines on her face. Hearing such slurs from the man she had pledged herself to was especially cruel. She earned double his salaryabout £3,200 a month to his £1,600so there was no reason for him to complain.
Tom spent his money however he liked, never asking anyones opinion. Where I want, I spend! hed declare, shrugging off the fact they had no children to plan for.
Poppy swallowed that too. Their finances were adequate. They werent officially married, but they lived as a couple and werent in any rush to tie the knot. Still, Toms mother, Margaret, had long called Poppy my daughterinlaw, and Poppy began to think of her as a motherinlaw.
Margaret proved to be a meddlesome, neversatisfied presence. She constantly interfered in the young couples affairs, and most of her nitpicking landed on Poppy.
They lived in a semidetached house on the outskirts of Birmingham. Though the suburb was close to the city, the garden needed constant attention. Poppy often begged Tom for a hand.
I just cant keep upmy shift runs from dawn till dusk! shed plead.
And whats that to me? Tom would snap. This is your home, youre the lady of the house, what do I have to do with it?
And indeed, in winter the garden lay buried under snow until Poppy herself fetched a shovel. In summer the grass grew up to the windowsills. They hired handymen to tidy up, only for Poppy to finish the work after a long day at the office.
Meanwhile Tom lounged on the sofa, checking in only occasionally to see if the chores were getting done.
Poppy had forgiven many things, but the final straw came when she walked home after a grueling twelvehour shift, her feet dragging, a heavy shopping bag squashing her wrist. She hoped Tom would meet her at the doorshe even calledbut he didnt answer. Panting and wiping sweat from her brow, she heard music drifting from the back garden.
She dropped the bag by the fence and hurried inside, where a raucous party was in full swing. Anger boiled inside her; tonight she would let everything out.
The house was a proper shindig. Loud music shook the windows, the table was piled with snacks and a casserole Poppy had prepared earlier so she wouldnt have to fuss later. Tom, oblivious to his wife, was dancing with a woman who had clearly had too many drinks and was dressed rather provocatively.
Without a word, Poppy slipped through the crowd and switched off the music.
Toms gaze cleared slowly. What are you doing? he stammered, swaying.
This is what I wanted to ask you! Whats going on? Whos that woman?
His dancing partner kept moving as if nothing had happened.
Whats it to you? Tom snorted. Just an old schoolmate I ran into. Its a celebration. Cant I relax in my own house?
If you remember, you said this is my home and you have no right in it. So clear the room, see your guest out, and then well talk, Poppy replied, her voice steady.
I wont! Tom tried to stand, but he lurched.
By now Poppy felt a revulsion she could no longer suppress. He was no longer a man to her, merely a burden. Living with him out of fear of being alone? No, thank you.
She seized the strangers arm and led her to the gate. Its time for you to leave!
She turned back to Tom. Are you staying, or are you going on your own?
He shrugged, grabbed a salad and a bottle from the table, and staggered toward the door.
Live without me and youll call, you drama queen! he shouted over his shoulder.
Good heavens! Margaret wailed, clutching her head. My skulls about to split!
Mother, stop shouting! Ive just been shown out. I didnt welcome her, thats all, Tom lied, hoping his mother would side with him.
Whats this about meeting her? his mother asked, bewildered.
Who knows! Shes always finding fault with me: this, that! Im exhausted from work, you think its easy? Why should I tidy up a house that isnt mine?
Exactly! Margaret encouraged. Maybe first sort out the property, give her a share, then she can ask. Shes getting full of herself, thinking I should greet her! Shes healthy, she can manage herself!
I told her that! She got offended!
Let her be offended! Dont give in. She wants to be marriedshell have to endure. Shes not a child who can stick her nose in everything!
What am I supposed to do now? Tom asked, his head bowed.
Patience, son! his mother urged. Shell crawl back, like a little lamb, begging to return. Give her a week alone and shell see what shes done. When she comes back, demand she registers her address. Otherwise shell be left without you!
Thus, Tom took his mothers advice on how to handle Poppy, nodding along to every word.
Youre right, Mum! I wont put up with her whims any longer. Who does she think she is, ordering me around? Im not a servant; Im a grown man, my own master!
Following his mothers counsel, Tom vanished for exactly a weekno visits, no calls, no messages.
Meanwhile, Margarets own life wasnt any smoother. She kept pestering him: do this, do that. When he tried to push back, she reminded him of the good old ways of disciplinedelivering a sharp stick on his back.
Youre not at your wifes place; youre at your mothers! No work, no lunch! she barked, no room for argument.
At last, after seven exhausting days, Tom gathered himself and headed home. Im coming back, Mum. Ill see how she copes without me. Shell be on her knees, begging me to return!
Go, go! Dont give up! Speak clearlyreturn on your own terms! Margaret cheered.
He left the house with a victorious stride, chin up, shoulders back, feeling as if he were about to show who was really in charge.
He approached the gate, stepped onto the lawn and stopped dead.
Something was wrong.
He looked around: the garden was immaculate, the grass clipped straight as a ruler, the windows gleamed, the flowerbeds were neat, the paths cleanno sign of neglect.
Even the gate was new, solid and quiet, not the squeaky old one he remembered.
He fumbled for his key, realized it no longer fit, paused, then knocked firmly on the door.
Silence hung for a moment, then the door opened.
But it wasnt the Poppy he knewno tired eyes, no dark circles. Standing there was a freshfaced woman, smiling, eyes sparkling.
I thought you were the one suffering alone here At least ring me! she said, tilting her head playfully.
Why would I? Poppy replied, her tone gentle and teasing. My husband vanished for a week and you? Nothing at all?
I dont have a husband, she answered calmly.
And where would he come from? Poppy laughed. Just a visitor who didnt work out. Not worth remembering.
Tom went red with anger. Are you talking about me? Youll get a slap and youll speak differently! I should have raised you better! I only felt sorry for you before!
He stepped forward, but Poppy didnt flinch.
A tall man emerged from the doorway, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said firmly, Hey, lad, off you go. And do it peacefully.
Whats this? A lover? If you chase him away Ill forgive you and come back, promise not to hit! Tom declared, trying to sound magnanimous.
Then, as if gravity had slipped, time seemed to shatter. He was standing, then suddenly sprinting, as though chased by demons, while unseen forces pushed him faster.
Poppy stood on the steps, laughing until tears streamed, watching her older brother hurl Tom out of the yard. He flew toward the gate, her brother landing a couple of firm kicks that sent him sprawling.
As Tom vanished beyond the threshold, her brother slammed the gate shut and turned to her.
Poppy, dont ever think of taking that fool back! I cant understand how you put up with him for so long!
She sighed deeply. I was a fool, thats why I tolerated him. I kept hoping hed change.
You cant change a man; you can only move on! If you need a hand with the house, call me, Ill come and help. Let him learn hes not welcome here.
What if he doesnt get the message?
Hell get it again, trust me, her brother winked, and together they stepped inside.
Inside, guests were still cheering, watching the drama through the windows.
Heres to the birthday girl! someone shouted.
For the birthday girl! the crowd echoed, glasses clinking.
Poppy smiled. How wonderful it is to have a brother like Jamescaring, strong, and always there when you need him.
