If anyone had ever warned Poppy that she would become the source of gossip and the wedge between a father and his son, she would have made them take it back. She was a simple country girl, but she could stand up for herself when needed. Still, everything unfolded exactly as it did, and even in her worst nightmare she never imagined that happiness would demand her to trek through seven circles of hell.
Poppy had only just moved to York, though she begged her mother not to send her to her aunts house. At the family meeting it was decided that Poppy would be the one to go, because there was no one else. James, the head of the family, worked as a farmmachinery operator, and now the fields were swamped with work. Mother tended the farm, while the brothers and sisters were scatteredsome at school, some in nursery.
With a modest suitcase packed with the essentials, Poppy set off for the aunt she had seen only once, at a cousins christening. They said Mrs. Margaret Clarke, because of her sharp temper, had never managed to get along with any of her three husbands. She had no children, and thus no heirs, and Poppys parents secretly hoped she would leave her flat to their niece. Thats exactly what happened, but Mrs. Clarke treated Poppy politely yet kept her at arms length. She never asked about Poppys life and let no one into her own world. One wonders why she kept Poppy around at all. Simply because lately shed grown fearful of dying alone, of becoming a corpse that would rot unnoticed until the foul smell drifted up the stairs and someone finally called the police.
Mrs. Clarke had been battling an incurable illness for years, knowing she might pass away tomorrow. To her, Poppy was a ticket to timely funeral arrangements and a proper wake. Poppy sensed her aunts anxieties and never asked unnecessary questions. She washed, cooked, cleaned, shoppedeverything expected of her. With no friends, the girl who was used to sitting on a village bench with peers after a hard day felt lonely. In the city, she hardly left the flat; the balcony was her sanctuary. She could spend hours watching young mothers strolling with toddlers or elderly ladies gathering outside the lift to gossip. Poppys life seemed split in two: the unpleasant part, running errands for the ailing aunt, and the pleasant part, which began when Mrs. Clarke fell asleep after her painkillers. Then Poppy would brew a fragrant coffee and retreat to the balcony for a wellearned moment of peace.
Soon she met a charming neighbour, Tom, who also liked the balcony at the same hour. At first they nodded politely, trying to act as if they hadnt noticed each other. Gradually they exchanged greetings, and a youthful infatuation blossomed. Both hurried to the balcony hoping to catch a glimpse of the other and share a few minutes together. By the time Mrs. Clarke died, Poppy and Tom were already close, having confessed their feelings. After the funeral Poppy didnt go back to the village; she stayed in the city, telling her parents she was applying for a course, though they saw through the excuse and didnt argue.
Confident in her love, Poppy accepted Toms proposals with ease. Tom lived alone. His mother had remarried after a divorce and moved to America. His father, a doctor, worked in Nigeria and visited only once a year, on vacation. The wedding was modest but cheerful, and the newlyweds were the happiest theyd ever been, knowing they would spend the rest of their lives side by side.
Tom followed his fathers footsteps, becoming a junior surgeon at the city hospital. Wanting to match him, Poppy took a short course and enrolled in nursing training. She imagined them working together, saving patients, but not all dreams come true.
Poppy, Dads arriving next week! Get ready, Toms brother shouted.
Yes? What does he like? I need to buy groceries, plan a menu, do a deep clean
Relax, love! Hes not the king of Nigeria, just my simple father.
Still, Poppy fretted. Shed seen pictures of her future fatherinlawtall, tan, looking halfSpanish, halfTurkishbut appearances can deceive. He might be a snob or a perfectionist, finding fault in everything. Or perhaps Tom would think she wasnt good enough and leave her. Yet Robert Whitfield turned out to be a completely different man. He greeted his son and daughterinlaw at the door, apologised profusely for missing the wedding, and arrived bearing a heap of gifts. He praised the stew Poppy had prepared, saying it was the best hed tasted in ages, then left to visit old friends. A month flew by and Robert returned to Nigeria, leaving the young couple alone. Occasionally Poppy wondered why her fatherinlaw seemed willing to swap places with another man. He cooked splendidly, sometimes waking early to make delicate crêpes that few housewives could master, and helped with the housework, urging Tom:
Good lad, youve landed a fine wife Look after Poppy, support her, or youll miss your own happiness.
Tom smiled silently, thinking, Where could she go? Poppy isnt the type to abandon everything. Even if she were unfaithful, shed forgive and carry on as if nothing had happened. Rural life is simpler; people endure for the sake of their children. He believed this was the plain truth. So when a nurse started flirting with him, Tom slipped into a new romance, unconcerned that his wife at home was battling a severe morning sickness that left her unable to cook. He always returned home full, dined with Katherine, gave her a lift, then pretended fatigue and went back to his room. Poppy seemed oblivious to his change, immersed in her own feelings. She rejoiced at the thought of motherhood yet feared she couldnt cope, though how could she with such a caring husband?
When the baby arrived, the workload doubled. Milk was scarce, the infant woke crying constantly. Tom grew irritable, demanding Poppy calm the child while he retired to the lounge. When Robert visited again, he barely recognised Poppy. The oncecheerful, rosy girl had become pale and gaunt, a shadow of herself, while his son had thinned, staying out late.
Help out with your wife, will you? Robert asked.
Dad, shes home all day, cant she at least look after the baby?
Did you get someone new?
Why ask?
I see how cheerful you are when youre out, and how irritated you become when youre back.
Its nothing serious, Dad.
Make sure it doesnt turn into something terrible.
Poppys to blame. She doesnt look like a woman anymore. See her hair, her face?
Thats on you. She hardly rests.
Ill be off, work wont wait!
It seemed Tom didnt even want to hear his fathers words; he believed that because Poppy stayed home she should manage everything, and only Robert truly understood her without words, doing whatever he could to help.
Poppy, go to bed, Ill look after the granddaughter, Robert said.
What if she gets hungry?
You think I cant mix a formula and feed her? Remember I raised a bit of a rogueyour husband.
Thanks to his fatherinlaw, Poppy finally managed to get some sleep. Robert would walk the granddaughter, feed her, and put her down while Poppy worked, giving her a chance to rest. She thanked Robert daily, praying that God would grant him a partner who would bring him happiness. It was a lonely thoughther husband and child were hers, while he was alone in Nigeria. Poppy began to think of Robert more and more; he became more than a fatherinlaw, filling the roles of father, brother, friend, even a confidante. He listened to any topic, always ready to support. The thought of him leaving haunted her.
Poppy, you look downcast, Robert noted.
Just a bit
Here, take this £150 for a salon visithaircut, colour, makeup, manicure. Then go shopping for yourself. Dont worry about the child; Ill look after her.
With a quick kiss on Roberts cheek, Poppy darted off to obey his orders. By evening she was radiant and happy, striding home. A mischievous idea struck her: maybe she could surprise Tom. She turned toward the hospital where he worked.
Good afternoon, Im here to see Dr. Andrew Whitfield.
Hes in, please come in.
Poppy imagined his delight at seeing her new look, but what she witnessed made her stomach drop. On his examination table sat a young nurse, her coat halfunbuttoned, clearly not for a routine checkup. Poppy fled the room, hailed a cab, and wept all the way home.
What happened, love? Tom asked, noticing her tears.
Andrew hes cheating
Who told you?
I saw it with my own eyes
Robert gently pulled Poppy close, smoothing her hair.
Cry if you need to, then Ill sort it out. Hell have to come back.
Im leaving, Ill take the baby and go.
Dont be foolish, where will you go? Think of the child. Life in the country isnt easy, work is hard, and you have a little one in your arms.
No one had embraced Poppy like this for years. She and Tom had been sleeping in separate rooms for months, and now the scent of his cologne and his soothing words spun her head. Robert, too, felt an unexpected pull toward herher vulnerability, her fragility. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, carry her far away from anyone who could hurt her. In a sudden rush he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom, and she didnt resist. They now shared a secret they guarded fiercely, something that would have been obvious if Tom had paid any attention at all. When Tom finally returned, he made no apology, acted as if nothing had happened, and Poppy kept silent. Shame and a strange joy warred inside hershame for the brief lapse, joy for being loved and cherished. Inevitably she began to compare Tom with Robert, and to her dismay Tom fell short in every way.
Then Poppy discovered she was pregnant again. She didnt know what to do; she and Tom had been intimate only a few months before, and he would surely suspect infidelity.
What are you thinking about? This is good news! I never thought I could become a father at my age. Its up to you nowwill you marry me?
And Tom?
What about Tom? I know we both acted poorly, but hes also at fault. Hell eventually leave you, but I love you and cant imagine life without you.
After their divorce, Poppy and Robert married and moved to Nigeria. Their families couldnt understand the decision; villagers whispered that she had only pretended modesty. Tom kept telling anyone whod listen how badly his wife and father had treated him. Yet they didnt care; they were happy to have found each other and treasured every moment together.
