If anyone ever told Poppy that she would become the cause of gossip and a wedge between her father and his son, she would make them take those words back. Poppy is a simple, country girl, but she can still stand up for herself. Yet everything unfolds exactly as it does, and even in her worst nightmare she cannot imagine that to find happiness she must endure seven circles of hell.
Poppy has just moved to Leeds, though she begged her mother not to send her to her aunt. At the family meeting it is decided that Poppy will go to Aunt Gillian Harper because there is no one else. Tom, the head of the family, works as a tractor driver and now has more work in the fields than he can handle. Martha tends the farm, and the brothers and sisters are fewsome go to school, others to preschool.
Packing only the essentials into a small suitcase, Poppy travels to her aunts flat, a place she has seen just once, at a distant relatives christening. People say that Gillian, because of her sharp temper, never got along with any of her three husbands. She has no children, so no heirs, and Poppys parents secretly hope she will leave the flat to her niece. Thats exactly what happens, but the woman treats Poppy politely yet keeps her at arms length. She never asks about Poppys life and lets nobody into her inner world. Why does she even need Poppy then? Simply because lately she fears she might die unnoticed, left to rot in her flat until a foul smell forces a neighbour to call the police.
Gillian has been battling an incurable illness for years, aware that she may pass away tomorrow. To her, Poppy is a ticket to a timely funeral and wake. Poppy senses her aunts worries and asks no questions. She washes, cooks, cleans, shopseverything expected of her. With no friends, the girl who once liked to sit on the doorstep bench after a hard day now feels lonely. She rarely leaves the flat; the only escape is the balcony, where she can watch young mums strolling with their toddlers or elderly ladies gathering at the lift landing to chat about everyday concerns. Poppys life feels split in two: the unpleasant half of running errands for a sick aunt, and the pleasant half that begins when Gillian drifts off after painkillers. Then Poppy brews a fragrant cup of tea and settles on the balcony, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Soon she meets a charming neighbour, Andrew, who also frequents the balcony at the same hour. At first they nod silently, pretending not to notice each other, then they exchange greetings, and their interactions soon resemble a teenage crush. Both hurry to the balcony hoping to catch a glimpse of the other and spend a few minutes together. By the time Gillian passes away, Poppy and Andrew are already close, having confessed their feelings. After the funeral Poppy tells her parents she wants to stay in the city to study, and they, understanding the real reason, do not argue.
Confident in their love, Poppy accepts Andrews courtship and his proposal. Andrew lives alone; his mother remarried and moved to the United States after a divorce. His father, a doctor, works in Kenya and only visits once a year on holiday. The wedding is modest but joyous, and the couple feels the world is theirs to share.
Andrew follows his fathers footsteps, training as a surgeon and now working as a junior doctor at the city hospital. Wanting to match his profession, Poppy enrolls in a nursing course after a short stint of study. She imagines the two of them saving lives together, but not every dream comes true.
Poppy, my dads arriving in a week! Get ready, Andrew says.
What does he like? We need groceries, a menu, a deep clean
Relax, love! Hes not the king of Kenya, just my simple dad.
Still, Poppy worries. She has seen his photostall, tan, a hint of Mediterranean looksbut appearances can deceive. What if hes a snob or a perfectionist, finding fault in everything? What if Andrew later thinks shes unworthy and leaves? Yet Ian Thompson, Andrews father, turns out to be a different man. He greets his son and daughterinlaw with kisses, apologises for missing the wedding, and brings a heap of gifts. He raves about Poppys stew, saying its the best hes ever tasted, then heads off to visit old friends. A month flies by before Ian returns to Kenya, leaving the young couple on their own.
Sometimes Poppy cant understand why her motherinlaw seems ready to swap Ian for another. Ian cooks superbly, occasionally waking early to make delicate crêpes that few housewives could master, and often helps Poppy with the housework, offering advice to his son:
Lucky you, youve got a good wife Look after Poppy, help her, or youll lose your happiness.
Andrew smiles silently, thinking, Where would she go? Poppy isnt the type to abandon everything. Even if she were unfaithful, she would forgive and act as if nothing happened. Rural life is straightforwardpeople live for their children and endure everything. He believes this is the plain truth, so when a junior nurse starts flirting with him, Andrew dives into a new romance. He cares little that his wife is suffering a weeklong severe morning sickness, unable to cook. He always eats well, dines with his friend Karina, drops her home, then pretends to be exhausted and returns.
Poppy seems oblivious to the changes in her husband, absorbed in her new sensations. She rejoices at the thought of motherhood but also fears she wont manage, though how could she, with such a caring husband? Then she gives birth, and the demands multiply. Milk runs short, the baby wakes crying often. Andrew snaps, demanding Poppy calm the infant while he retires to the lounge. When Ian visits again, he barely recognises Poppyher oncecheerful glow has faded to a pale, gaunt shadow, while his son looks thinner, staying out late.
Dad, could you help your wife?
Love, shes home all day; maybe look after the child.
Is there someone new?
Why ask?
I see youre cheerful when youre out, irritable when youre back.
Just nothing serious, Dad.
Make sure it stays that way.
Poppys to blame. She doesnt even look like a woman now. See her hair? Her face?
Youre the one at fault. She barely rests.
Alright, Im off, work wont wait!
Andrew hardly listens to his father; he thinks Poppy should juggle everything at home, while Ian alone truly understands her without words and tries to help however he can.
Poppy, go to sleep, Ill look after the granddaughter.
What if she gets hungry?
Do you think I cant mix a formula and feed the baby? Remember, I raised a proper ladyour husband.
Thanks to her fatherinlaw, Poppy finally gets some rest. Ian walks the baby, feeds her, and puts her to bed while Poppy works or takes a breather. Grateful, Poppy prays that God will give Ian a partner who brings him happiness. She feels lonely; Andrew and their daughter are her world, while Ian is far away in Kenya. Over time she thinks more and more about Ian, who becomes more than just a fatherinlawhe feels like a father, brother, friend, even a confidante. He listens, supports, and the thought of his leaving haunts her.
Poppy, you look downcast.
Just something
Heres some moneygo to the salon, get a haircut, colour, makeup, manicure. Then shop for yourself. Ill look after our girl.
In a flash Poppy kisses Ian on the cheek and darts off to obey his instructions. By evening she returns, looking radiant and happy. A sudden idea pops up: why not surprise her husband? She heads toward the hospital where Andrew works.
Good afternoon, Im here to see Dr. Andrew Thompson.
Hes in, please come in.
Excited, Poppy imagines Andrews delight at her new look, but what she sees stops her heart. A young nurse sits on his lap, her coat halfunbuttoned, clearly not for a medical examination. Poppy bursts from the room, jumps into a taxi, and weeps all the way home.
What happened, love?
Andrews cheating
Who told you?
I saw it with my own eyes
Ian pulls Poppy close, smoothing her hair.
Cry, love, itll ease the pain. Ill talk to him, make him come back.
Im leaving with the baby.
Dont be foolish, dear. Think of the child. Life in the countryside isnt easy, work is hard, and you have a small one in your arms.
No one has embraced Poppy like this in ages. She and Andrew have been sleeping in separate rooms for months, and now the scent of his aftershave and his soothing words whirl her mind. Ian, too, feels a strange pull toward herher vulnerability, her fragility. He wants to hold, kiss, and whisk her away to a place where no one can hurt her. In a sudden impulse he lifts her and carries her to the bedroom; she offers no resistance. They share a secret, hidden tightly, one that would be obvious if Andrew paid any attention at all, distracted as he is by his own affairs. Poppy feels both shame for her fleeting weakness and a strange joy that she is cherished. She cant help comparing Andrew to Ian; sadly, Andrew falls short in every way.
Then Poppy discovers shes pregnant again. She doesnt know what to do; theyve only been intimate for threefour months, and Andrew would surely suspect infidelity.
Whats worrying you? Its wonderful! I never thought I could be a father at fifty. Its your choice nowwill you marry me?
What about Andrew?
What about him? I know we both acted badly, but hes also to blame. Hell eventually leave, and I love you; I cant live without you.
After the divorce, Poppy and Ian marry and move to Kenya. Their families cant comprehend her choice; the village gossip says she pretended modesty while scheming. Andrew keeps telling anyone who will listen how cruelly his wife and father treated him. Yet they both feel fortunate to have found each other, cherishing every moment they share.
