What are you doing here? Poppy asked warily.
I’m back, as you can see Tom said, smiling, and gestured to the bags of his belongings.
Since when? Poppy tilted her head. It’s been six months.
Poppy, I cant just Tom sighed heavily. The moment I thought Id left you alone, my heart tore apart. I felt like my soul was ripped to shreds. How could I stand by while you suffered?
Im suffering? Poppy replied.
At least I wont have to pretend in front of anyone, Tom chuckled. You can tell the world that my leaving meant nothing, that everythings fine for you.
I understand how hard this is for you he added, his voice softening alone, and with a child.
Poppy murmured thoughtfully.
Did you change the lock? Tom jingled a bunch of keys. It must have broken. Heres proof! I didnt oil it in time, so it gave way.
Poppy fell silent, unsure how to answer. The lift clanged and the doors opened on the floor below.
Dad? Charlie, their fiveyearold, called, looking confused.
Yes, love! Tom sat down and opened his arms. Im moving back in with you! Come give me a hug.
Charlie hesitated, glanced at his mother, who gave a small nod.
Alright, Poppy said, come in, youll see.
Tom entered the flat like a homeowner, but he moved toward the kitchen as a guest.
A new key shelf stood in the hallway, a sleek shoe cabinet by the door, a different lamp glowed, and the interior doors were all brand new.
When Poppy passed the bathroom after Tom, she flicked a switch.
Whats that? Tom asked.
Remember how damp it always was in here? Poppy reminded him. I installed an extractor so the door can stay open without getting soggy.
Its only been twenty minutes, never mind she waved him off. Tea or coffee?
Brew some coffee, Tom said, taking a seat on a fresh stool.
Poppy pulled a pod from the jar, dropped it into the new coffee machine, and pressed the button.
Ill just change my clothes, she said with a smile.
No problem, Tom replied, gesturing calmly.
The kitchen now sported new pots, a tiled backsplash instead of the old clingfilm, and towel hooks beside the sink.
When Poppy returned in her workout tracksuit shed previously lounged in housecoats Toms attitude had shifted completely from the moment hed arrived.
Whos this? Tom asked, his tone sharp.
Who? Poppy responded, puzzled.
Whos the man you brought into the house? I need to know whos raising my son! And, by the way, were not divorced yet!
Have a coffee, Poppy said with a wry smile.
Look at her! Tom shouted, his voice booming. I felt sorry for her, I came back, and shes doing what? All while her husbands alive! Poppy!
Drink your coffee! his voice turned into an order.
Ill pour this coffee over your head! Tom sprang up. Whats happening here? I demand an explanation!
***
Six months earlier, Poppy had decided her life was over. The shock felt unbearable.
Poppy, I think our marriage has run its course, Tom had announced. The feelings are gone, the warmth is gone.
There was nothing left that had ever bound us together. Staying together only for Charlie felt like a huge sacrifice.
Are we getting a divorce? Poppy asked, fear trembling in her voice.
Id suggest we dont rush, Tom replied. I could be wrong, badly wrong. Lets live apart for now, not divorce. I wont be showing up unannounced, but if you truly need me, you can call.
Just dont keep ringing me! I might already have a new life!
That was another blow. Tom interpreted Poppys silence differently.
Dont bother with official maintenance payments, we dont need that bureaucracy. Youll get no more than £150 a month.
Thats what Ill give you for the coming month. After that, Ill pay whatever comes in as my salary. You understand, were all adults; everyone must support themselves.
Ill still contribute for Charlie, so sort yourself out. No hard feelings.
Poppy felt lost, caught between sky and earth.
Nine years of what she believed to be a happy marriage collapsed in an instant.
She could find no reason for it. Everything had been fine. Why did she think her life was over? Because, apart from the marriage, nothing else seemed to exist for her.
Her independent adult life had only begun when she finally earned her degree, and theyd planned the wedding right after.
From then on, shed always been with Tom. Hed seen her off to interviews, helped gather paperwork for the job, drove her to work, and met her when she returned.
He attended every maternity appointment when she was pregnant, even joining in the shared birth plan Tom insisted on.
A father must accept his son in this world, Tom had said, surrounding Poppy with love and care when they brought baby Charlie home from the hospital, and later with fresh renovations and new furniture.
They were lucky not to have a mortgage. Poppys parents had passed a inherited flat to a distant aunt, so money was available for the makeover.
Tom gave Poppy the chance to run the household, yet he never shirked his duties when she asked for help. He got along well with Poppys parents, and Poppy was friendly with Toms mother and sister. Family gatherings were always around a big table, never a word of offense.
When Charlie grew older, Poppy returned to work, but Toms schedule changed, so he stopped driving her to and from the office. She managed on her own, using the car her father gave her and paying for her driving lessons.
If the car broke down, shed ask Tom to take it to the garage, but Tom insisted on handling it himself because workshops often overcharged women.
She never became a housewife; she solved all domestic problems herself, only calling Tom when she truly needed a hand. At work she earned respect for her diligence, climbing two rungs up the career ladder in five years. She still ran to Tom with joy when she succeeded, and they celebrated together.
In short, Tom had been present in every breath of Poppys life until he left. She felt adrift, searching for his eyes, and when she couldnt find him, everything fell apart.
Poppys parents saw her despondency. Her mother grew anxious, and her father took matters into his own hands, sitting down with her.
Darling, life throws all sorts of things at us, said David Andrews when he learned why she was upset, but thats no reason to lose heart! Its hard to understand, harder to accept, yet life doesnt stop here.
Daddy, everything is slipping from my hands! Poppy sobbed. I have no strength, no desire to do anything!
Sweetheart, your mother and I will always support you. Youre clever and kind; remember how we raised you. Dont disappoint us.
David spoke gently, without blame, offering comfort.
The tears dried. Poppy drifted through the next month in a daze, making no changes to Toms legacy, until something strange happened that pleasantly surprised her.
If you picture it as a maths problem, Poppy simply crossed Tom out of the equation and solved it anew. The answers were completely different.
She discovered she didnt have to tidy every single day. Even with an eightyearold son, the house stayed orderly for four to seven days at a time. Laundry became far less frequent; the detergent bottle that had lasted three months finally ran out.
She also found she didnt need to cook three hours a day. A decent meal every other day was enough, far less than shed previously prepared.
Money? She lost Toms salary from the family budget, which they had always decided together at months end. Now she only had her own wages and the £150 child maintenance. Yet at months end she still had about £250 left.
Did I miss something? she wondered, a little panicked. Did I forget to pay a bill?
Everything balanced, and the house was comfortable.
Poppy had long wanted new doors in the bedrooms. With the extra cash, buying them was no problem, but who would install them? The shop said they had their own fitters.
Two sturdy young men arrived, hauled out the old doors, took them to the skip, and fitted the new ones, sweeping up after themselves.
Poppy imagined how much Tom would have fussed about changing the doors, how much shed have had to cajole him into doing it.
Money in the pocket prompts purchases.
She bought a key shelf, a new hallway light, and a shoe cabinet. She looked at the boxes and thought, maybe I should ask Tom to hang and assemble them?
She remembered his request not to be dragged back.
Tom for an hour? she asked herself. Why not?
It turned out cheap and quick. A handyman came, listened, nodded, and within an hour said:
All done. I cleaned the bathroom, and theres no damp left! Arent you worried about mould?
Thats a constant problem, Poppy waved it off. I just keep the door open.
We could fit a vent, the man suggested. You have a ventilation duct; a small extractor and a switch would sort it. Half an hours work and a modest fee.
Could you do it? Poppy asked.
Tomorrow after lunch work for you? he replied.
Simple, affordable, no hassle. Pay, and its done without drama, the offer delighted Poppy, and plans for further improvements began to form in her mind.
Charlies school holidays were approaching, so Poppy decided to take him to his grandmother. Not her own mother, but Toms mother. Toms departure hadnt soured the relationship with his family. The grandparents got along well with the grandson, and Toms sister was there too. They chatted about the latest shows and had a pleasant visit.
Three days later Tom burst back in, shouting, Im back!
***
You could demand things while you were my husband, Poppy replied. Now just have a coffee and leave.
Im not going anywhere! Tom shouted. Im still your husband! I came back! I felt sorry for you, so you wouldnt disappear without me!
As you can see, Poppy smiled, I didnt disappear! Youre only my husband on paper now. But that can be fixed, and Ill start right away.
Tom stared at Poppy, baffled.
How could this happen? I showed nobility, didnt tear the family apart, yet no one accepts me!
If you dont want coffee, go and help me with Charlies homework, Poppy waved her hand as if shooing a fly, Ive got lessons to do!
The sudden strain with the former motherinlaw and sisterinlaw was inevitable. Who would have told Tom that Poppy hadnt burned down with grief when he left? They were the ones who sent him to save Poppy from her own wellbeing.
In the end, Poppy realised that true strength isnt found in waiting for someone else to return, but in building a life that stands firm on its own. She learned that when doors close, you can simply open new ones yourself, and that selfreliance, kindness, and a fresh cup of coffee are enough to turn any heartbreak into a fresh start.
