In the hallway there were two suitcases waiting for me and I thought, What the hell? Not only am I looking after your kid, now you want to dump a bloke on me too? I was beyond stunned. Let him go to hell.
No matter how Diana tried to calm her husband down, pleading and even crying, he wouldnt budge. Either let Poppy clean up with the baby, or Im out! he snarled. Poor Poppy had spent her whole early childhood trying to win her mums love, but it never really clicked. Even when she lived with her parents for the first five years, Diana was pretty distant.
Sure, Diana fed her, dressed her, washed her clothes, took her to the local preschool, but there was hardly any affection. Then the parents split, dad vanished somewhere and never turned up again. Hed always been away on work, and when he was home he and Diana fought all the time, so his disappearance barely fazed Poppy. She missed her mum terribly though.
Right after the divorce, Diana sent Poppy to stay with her own mother, Nora, in a little Yorkshire village. Dont be a spoiled brat, Nora warned sharply. Your mothers had a rough go, she deserves happiness. If you dont love her, what are you doing here? Poppy, choking back tears, whispered, I love her, though she couldnt understand why mum seemed happier without her.
Years later, when Poppy was piecing together overheard adult conversations, she learned the truth about Dianas suffering. Back in her twenties Diana had been head over heels for a lad called Brian. They were even planning to marry, but after a nasty row Brian married a richer, more promising girl. Out of spite Diana wed Poppys dad, a man who adored her, and they had a daughter. She tried to forget the betrayal, though it never really worked. She ended up with the usual setup: a husband, a child, a flat, even a parttime job until Brian popped back into her life.
Brian didnt seem truly remorseful, just offered a sorry and promised her gold mountains. Diana, desperate, threw herself into him like a drowning girl into a tide. The new husband didnt like the idea of a girl from another man hanging over his head, so Diana hurried Poppy back to her grandma. She trusted Nora would look after her beloved granddaughter, even if she was strict. Nora kept Poppy busy with chores, feeding the chickens and tending the garden, yelling now and then, but overall they got along.
Diana visited almost every month, and Poppy always waited for those trips with her heart thudding. One day Mum will hug me, kiss me, and say, Lets go home, love. Ive missed you so much. Her friend Megan snorted, Youre such a wuss, Poppy! Everyone knows your mum swapped you for a bloke and youre still dreaming of fairytales. Poppy snapped back, You dont get it! Its just circumstances. Megan laughed, Oh, the drama! Absolutely extraordinary! Theyd clash over it a couple of times, then make up after all, they were friends.
When Poppy turned fifteen, Grandma Nora passed away. Poppy felt a pang of grief, but also relief now she could finally live with her mum. Not that shed be sent to a childrens home; that didnt happen, but the family home wasnt exactly welcoming either.
Brian, thinking they were alone, suggested, Send her to a city college shell get a dorm and a trade. Diana, trembling, replied, Brian, we cant. Shes already stressed after her grandma died, and what will people think? She added, Youre always on the rigs, you wont even notice her. Ill talk to her. The stepdad grumbled, Fine, lets try. That only made Poppy despise him more. If it werent for Brian, they might have stayed together and happy.
Poppy threw herself into helping around the house, using everything Nora had taught her. The flat sparkled thanks to her, and Diana soon forgot how to do a wash or iron. Poppy even cooked better than her mum. She studied hard and planned to become a hairdresser after Year 9, hoping to earn enough to support Diana. She thought, maybe then she could ditch that loathsome Brian after all, Diana was now completely dependent on him and hadnt worked in ages.
It seemed Diana didnt love her husband much. He was a bit chubby, balding, and a bore. Why would she settle for him? She kept those thoughts to herself, though.
About a year later, while Poppy was at college, Diana announced shed met a new guy a decent, goodlooking bloke named Nicholas. Theyd been seeing each other for months and were talking about marriage. Youll love him! Diana told Poppy, beaming. Well live in a country house with staff and everything. Poppy raised an eyebrow, Are you sure? She thought Diana deserved better than that greasylooking Brian, but Nicholas didnt inspire confidence either.
Nicholas, however, had a very different agenda. When he learned Diana was pregnant something shed hinted at as a way to lock him in he fled. Turns out he already had a wife, two kids, and a powerful fatherinlaw who could ruin him if the affair came out. If my dad finds out about us and the baby, were both finished, Nicholas warned. He doesnt care if youre a woman or a man. Keep your mouth shut or get an abortion. Diana refused; she was too far along. She begged Poppy, You have to save me. If Brian leaves, well be left with nothing. Poppy, eyes brimming, replied, Well manage, Mum. Im about to start work soon. Diana burst into tears, How can we live normally? I want a proper life! She sobbed harder, scaring Poppy, then forced herself to speak.
Fine, if you dont want to end up without a mother, help me, Diana finally said. Of course, Mum! You know I love you! Poppy, choking, agreed.
Dianas plan was simple and twisted. Shed have the baby, list Poppy as the mother, and at seventeen nobody would question the fathers identity. No one needed to know who the childs dad was, and thered be no accusations of anything shady everyone would think it was consensual.
The pregnancy went smoothly. By seven months, Diana stayed mostly at home, and they eventually moved to a small bungalow in a garden estate. A midwife delivered the baby, little Daniel, at home for a fee. Brian was away on a sixmonth stint at a rig, so he never heard a thing. Poppy didnt bother with the details; Diana handled everything. When they came back with baby Daniel, the birth certificate listed Poppy as the mother.
Brian stormed in, What the hell is this? Im feeding your daughter, and now you want to hang a boy on my neck too?! He shouted, Youve gone mad! Get the kid out of here! Diana tried to soothe him, crying, but he was set: Either Poppy cleans up with the baby, or Im leaving!
The boys got a temper, hell calm down, Diana tried to reassure Poppy, but it didnt help. Two days after Brians return, Poppy came back from a walk with Daniel to find two suitcases waiting in the hallway. Her stepdad stood there, looking like there was no other choice. Diana clung to him, pleading with a desperate look at her daughter.
Poppy, maybe you could give the baby to a childrens home? she whispered, trembling.
At that moment Poppy realised shed never get the love, affection, or understanding shed been craving. Her mother had made her choice, and it wasnt for her. She marched into the hall, lifted the peacefully sleeping Daniel from his pram, and handed him to Diana.
Your son, do whatever you want with him, Poppy said, voice steady.
She walked out of the flat into a dead silence, grabbing one suitcase the other clearly held the babys stuff. There was nothing left for her in that house.
