Hey love, let me tell you whats been happening with Harriet and Oliver its been a proper rollercoaster.
The first time Harriet laid eyes on him, she thought shed just been hit by fate. He was tall, welldressed, with these surprisingly kind eyes. He was standing at the far end of the staff café at the research institute in Cambridge where Harriets been the head librarian for seven years. Her heart went this is the one Ive been dreaming about.
Who are you staring at? asked Lucy, her colleague, as they shared a sandwich. Oh, thats the new bloke from the physics lab. He just defended his PhD, lots of promise.
Harriet flushed, looked away and buried her face in a bowl of vegetable soup.
I was just looking around, she muttered.
Lucy smirked. Sure, but your face says otherwise. By the way, I think hes single I asked around.
Hes so young, Harriet whispered, a bit flustered.
How old are you? Thirtytwo? Hes about twentyseven, not a huge gap, right?
Harriet stayed quiet. The age gap felt like a tiny canyon, but shed already resigned herself to a solo life after a disastrous romance in the lab years ago. Books became her companions. And thenboomhe walked in.
The next morning Oliver showed up at the library asking for a rare monograph on quantum mechanics. Harriet, nervous, trekked to the back stacks and pulled out the hefty volume after a while.
Sorry for keeping you searching, he said, handing it over. I could have fetched it myself.
Its my job, Harriet replied, trying to keep her voice steady and professional.
And I saw you in the café yesterday, he added, catching her off guard. Fancy a coffee after work?
Harriet blinked. I would love that, she managed.
That coffee turned into countless evenings together. Oliver wasnt just brainy; he was a brilliant conversationalist. He explained his research in a way Harriet, whod never touched physics, could actually enjoy. She, in turn, shared the stories of the books shed been devouring. Their debates stretched for hours, and time just slipped by.
Harriet, youre amazing, Oliver said one evening as they strolled through the park. Youre wise, you feel everything so deeply. Ive never met a woman like you.
Its all the reading, she laughed shyly. I just read a lot.
No, its more than that. You think, you analyse, you see what others miss. In the lab they call me promising, but next to you I feel like a schoolkid.
Harriet brushed it off. Dont be silly. Youre a physicist, you understand the universe. I just lend out books.
Dont sell yourself short, he replied. You understand peoples souls, and thats far tougher than any physics equation.
They got married six months later. Olivers mum, Margaret, was a forceful, ambitious woman who outright told her son he was making a mistake.
Shes older than you! She has no prospects! Just a librarian! What can she possibly offer you or your future kids? she shrieked.
Mom, I love her, Oliver said firmly. Shes not just a librarian; shes intelligent, educated, and well have children.
The wedding was modest a small gathering at a cosy pub with a few friends. Margaret didnt even turn up.
At first the newlyweds lived in a rented flat. Money was tight, but they were happy. Harriet turned their place into a warm home, and Oliver loved coming back after a long day. They still talked about books, films, and his experiments.
Then the miracle theyd both hoped for happened Harriet got pregnant. Doctors had once said she might never have children because of a medical quirk, but here she was, glowing with news.
Oliver, Im pregnant, she told him one evening as he walked in.
He froze, then rushed to her, lifted her into his arms and spun her around. Harriet, thats brilliant! Were going to have a baby!
He doted on her through the whole pregnancy: making broth when the nausea hit, fetching salty crisps at midnight, reading parenting books aloud, even diving into child psychology to be ready for fatherhood.
When their daughter was born, they named her Poppy.
Poppy, our little hope and joy, Oliver whispered, cradling her in the white cot.
Miraculously, Margaret softened. She turned up at the hospital with a massive bouquet of roses and a basket of fruit. Let me see my granddaughter, she demanded, then cooed, Shes got your cheek and my chin dimple!
From then on Margaret became a frequent visitor, bringing presents and advice, often critiquing Harriets parenting style. Harriet tried to be patient after all, it was her motherinlaw but the meddling grew more intrusive.
Harriet, why dont you put her on her tummy? All the paediatricians say it helps! Margaret would nag.
Harriet, she needs more vitamins! shed insist.
Oliver mostly stayed silent, but one day he suggested, Moms offered us a move. They have a bigger flat with a spare room for us and a nursery for Poppy. Mum could help with the baby, and you could go back to work.
What do you think? Harriet asked cautiously.
Its a good deal financially, and Mom and Dad would love having the granddaughter close, Oliver replied.
Harriet agreed, though a gut feeling warned her it might be a mistake. They moved when Poppy was six months old. At first everything seemed fine Margaret helped, Harriet returned to work. But the atmosphere grew tense.
Why let her cry? Margaret would ask when Poppy fussed. Pick her up, soothe her!
Crying is normal, Harriet would answer. Poppy needs to learn to handle emotions herself.
The child should have a happy childhood without tears! Margaret declared.
Oliver started siding more with his mother, leaving Harriet feeling sidelined. Arguments erupted over feeding, sleep, outings, toys. Harriet felt she was losing control, while Margaret gradually became the dominant figure in Poppys life.
Then the worst nightmare hit: Poppy fell ill with a high fever and cough. Margaret pushed folk remedies mustard poultices, raspberry tea.
No, Im calling a doctor, Harriet said firmly.
Dont need a doctor! I raised three kids without one! Margaret protested.
Oliver, what do you think? Harriet pleaded.
Oliver, caught between the two most important women in his life, hesitated. Maybe we should try the home remedies first? he suggested weakly.
No! Harriet snapped. Im the mother, I decide whats best for my child.
She called a GP, and they discovered early pneumonia. Without the treatment things could have turned disastrous.
After that, the family dynamics broke completely. Margaret felt offended, constantly reminding them how close they came to losing her granddaughter because they ignored her wise advice.
Oliver threw himself into work, avoiding home conflicts. When he did come home, he was irritable and exhausted.
One night, after Poppy was asleep and the grandparents were out, Oliver said, Harriet, can we talk?
Sure, she replied, sensing something off.
Ive been offered a sixmonth research placement in London. Its a toptier opportunity, one you dont get often.
Thats brilliant! When do we move? Harriet beamed.
Oliver looked away. Actually I think Ill go alone.
Alone? What about us and Poppy? she asked, heart racing.
Youll stay here with the parents. Theyll look after her, and I can focus entirely on the work.
Harriet couldnt believe it. You want to abandon us?
Im not abandoning you! Its just six months. After that Ill be back, or you could come to London if everything works out.
Oliver, you dont get it. If you go, your mother will completely take over raising Poppy. She already thinks she knows better than me what our child needs.
Its not exaggerated, Oliver retorted. Mum just wants whats best.
For whom? For herself? For Poppy? Definitely not for me. Harriet shot back. When was the last time we had a proper hearttoheart? Talked about books, movies? Youre hiding behind work to avoid problems, and now you want to run away completely.
Its not running away! Its a step forward in my career! he snapped.
Its a step forward for us, too, or is it not? Harriet replied, voice shaking. Im scared youre choosing the easy way out.
Olivers face flushed. Easy? This placement at the leading national lab isnt easy its a dream for many.
Im not talking about the placement, Harriet said, exhausted. Im talking about you fleeing the issues instead of facing them.
Its not fleeing, its progress! he shouted.
They argued hard that night, more fiercely than ever before. By morning Oliver announced his decision: hed go to London alone, and if Harriet truly loved him, shed have to accept and support it.
Harriet spent the next days turning the house upside down in her mind staying, compromising, or breaking free. She realized she faced a choice: keep living under the shadow of her inlaws, losing herself and her marriage, or make a bold change.
On the day of Olivers departure she packed his suitcase, helped Poppy into a coat, and called a cab.
Where are you off to? Oliver asked, surprised.
Were taking you to the station, she said.
Alright then.
At the train station, minutes before his train left, Harriet kissed him and said, I love you, Oliver, and I always will. But I cant keep living in your parents house. Poppy and I are going back to our old flat.
What? Youre leaving? What about Mum and Dad? he stammered.
Theyre wonderful people, but I want to raise my daughter myself, and maybe save our marriage before its too late.
You cant do that! he protested.
I can, and I will. Go to your placement, think, grow, and well be waiting for you at home. She turned, hand tightly gripping Poppys tiny fingers, heart pounding like mad. Maybe its the silliest thing Ive ever done, but a wise wife would do it.
Sweetheart, did Dad go to work? Poppy asked in the back seat.
Yes, love. He went to work, and hell be back.
Where are we going?
Home, darling. Were going home.
The first few days back in their old flat were rough. Poppy whined, calling for grandma. Margarets calls flooded their phone, demanding the granddaughter back. Harriet took a few days off work to sort a new routine.
Oliver didnt text for a week, then sent a brief, How are you?
Fine, settling in, Harriet replied.
Slowly life steadied. Harriet dove into motherhood: park trips, zoo visits, puppet shows. Evenings were spent reading, drawing, and playing with playdough. She noticed Poppy was calmer and happier than when shed been with her grandparents.
Olivers calls were sparse, mostly about the research. He never asked how they were coping. Harriet didnt press, but she kept sending photos of Poppys milestones.
Three months later, after putting Poppy to sleep, Harriet was curled up with a book when there was a knock. Oliver stood in the doorway, a massive bunch of wildflowers her favourite.
Can I come in? he asked, nervous.
Harriet stepped aside, letting him in.
Is Poppy asleep? he whispered, slipping off his shoes.
Yes, just now.
Hows she?
Good. She misses you.
Oliver sat on the couch, placed the flowers on the coffee table.
Are you missing me? he asked quietly.
Harriet sat next to him, not touching.
Very much, she admitted.
Ive finally figured it out, Harriet, he said suddenly. I was running from problems, taking the easy way out. I want to make the right choice now the hard one, but the right one. I want to come back to you. If youll let me.
What about the placement?
Its over. I wrapped it up early, did everything they wanted and more. They even offered me a permanent post in London with a good salary and career prospects.
You turned it down? Harriet guessed.
Yes. Because I realized I dont need a title, a lab, or money without you and Poppy. Whether we stay here or move somewhere else doesnt matter being together does.
What about your parents?
I had a serious talk with them, maybe the first one ever. I told them well decide our lives ourselves. Theyll help if we ask, but they wont command us. Mum was shocked, but I think shell come around.
Harriet looked at him, finally seeing the resolve and love shed missed. You know what Ive learned? Oliver continued. Youre the wiser one. You saw what I couldnt, and did what I lacked courage for getting us out of that endless loop.
Honestly, I wasnt sure I was doing the right thing, Harriet admitted. It felt risky.
This risk wasnt a foolish choice it was a wise one.
Oliver reached out, gently brushing her cheek.
Will you forgive me?
Instead of answering, Harriet leaned in and kissed him. From the bedroom came a tiny voice, Mummy, is Daddy home?
They laughed, got up and went to Poppy together. Harriet realised that sometimes the decisions that look the silliest at first turn out to be the smartest, and that a bit of courage can save what truly matters.
