TIME TO SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Mum, weve brought Poppy round for you, she wanted to stay outside for a bit and playkeep an eye on her, alright? Victor called his mum, Lydia Foster. Weve been invited to an anniversary party.
But what about Poppy? Shes got nursery in the morning! Lydia panicked, glancing at her plans. I was supposed to visit my friend at her country cottage today. Wed already arranged it.
Oh, come off it, Mum! Are you serious? We cant go to the party just because of you? We’ve already bought the present. And Poppy doesn’t have to go to nursery tomorrow! Just keep her at home, stick on some cartoons. He was drumming his fingers on the phone nervously. Anyway, what nursery? Tomorrows Saturday! Stop confusing me! Right, well pick her up Sunday. Bye!
Lydia didnt even have time to mention she was meeting her friend on Sunday as well, before Victor hung up.
Mum, can I have some money? Her younger daughter poked her head into the room. We want to go to an escape room with the girls.
Eliza, love, I dont have any spare cash at the moment, Lydia said, mentally counting what was left in her purse, how much was on the card, and how long until payday. Ive set some aside for my medication.
Oh, as usual! Eliza huffed. Everyone else will go, and Ill be stuck here like a lemon.
Alright, Lizzie, Lydia stood up and suddenly remembered Poppy, still out on her own. Could you have a peek out the window, love? See if Poppys alright.
Seriously, why should I watch her? Shes not a baby, she knows the way here. Shell come on her own, Eliza snapped back.
No need to be like that. She is only little. Ill see if Ive got enough for your escape room, hang on. How much do you need?
Eliza told her the sum. Lydia sighed. That was exactly what shed set aside for her joint relief tablets, which she took every three months. Shed have to postpone the doseher joints would probably ache, but never mind. Eliza being happy seemed more important.
Did you check on Poppy? Lydia called after her.
Yes, honestly, I looked. Shes fine, running about.
Just then, Poppy had climbed up the metal slide and slipped off, tumbling to the bottom.
Oh, I think shes fallen, Eliza watched as her little niece sobbed beneath the slide, barely reacting.
Oh for goodness sake! Lydia, still in her dressing gown and slippers, raced two steps at a time outside. Poppy was holding her arm awkwardly and crying in pain. Lydia hurriedly called a taxi. Thankfully, at the hospital, the x-ray showed nothing serious.
Its just a bruise, said the doctor.
Well, at least its not broken, Lydia breathed out, still shaken. She called Victor, just in case.
Victor, love, were at the hospital, but dont worry, its only a bruise. She fell off the slide.
Mum, bloody hell! Can I not trust you for one minute?! We never get to go out not once in a blue moon! her son exploded down the phone.
Its fine, honestly. You go and enjoy yourselves, Lydia said, embarrassed at his shoutingthe doctor in the corridor actually shook his head at the noise. They didnt even put a bandage on it.
Right then, Victor calmed a little, dont leave the house, not even to the doorstep.
Lydia didnt get a word in; shed wanted to say she had theatre tickets, but again, hed hung up. She didnt have the heart to ring back.
Ill figure something out. Sunday is ages away, she told herself.
Back home, Eliza was waiting, arms folded and cross.
Couldnt you have left me the money before you dashed off? she complained. Everyones just sitting around, waiting for me. Come on, hand it over! Im in a rush. She held her hand out.
Lydia hastily fished out all her cash and gave it to her. Eliza counted it, scowling. Not a penny extra? What if I fancy a coffee?
Thats all, Lizzie. Whats left on my card will only cover my train fare to work and back.
You could always walk, Eliza muttered and slammed out.
Granny, I’m hungry! came Poppys little voice, and Lydia went off to make her something to eat. While her granddaughter picked at dinner, Lydia found herself gazing at the little girl, propping her chin in her hand, lost in thought: My own two were that small once. Now Victors thirty, can you believe? And Elizas nearly eighteen. I really should throw her a little party.
Then, thinking back to the call with Victor, Lydia started to feel resentful. Once in a blue moon, he said? They dump Poppy here every weekend, often with no warning. She hardly saw Eliza all week, and now even the weekends were dominated by others’ needs.
Shed devoted her whole life to her kids, always making do herself, always spending her last penny on them. Her husband had walked out when Victor got married.
Ive done my bit with the boy, hed said, packing his suitcase. Youll manage with the girl. Ill pay maintenance till shes eighteen.
And with that, hed slammed the door. Shed never really understood why. They had never really fought. She took care of the children; he had his own interests. That was life.
That Saturday, Lydia had to ring her friend to apologise.
Nina, Im so sorry, my granddaughter showed up with no warning. I cant come like I promised.
Lydia, you what? No warning? Nina was clearly surprised and upset. You dont have a life of your own? Since when does everyone elses schedule come before yours? Thats not right, love.
Theyve already got an anniversary present, what could I do? Lydia sounded defeated.
And you? You and I had plans! I bought food for a barbecue, opened a bottle. What am I meant to do, eat and drink it all on my own? I don’t want to hear it get packed and come over! Bring your granddaughtershe can play with my cats, and well have a nice time! Right, Im ordering the taxi now. Itll be here in fifteen minutes.
Then she hung up, leaving Lydia no choice but to get herself and Poppy ready and head to the door.
It was wonderful at Ninas cottage. Poppy forgot about her bruise entirely. She had a cat and kittens to play with and an entire garden to explorechasing butterflies, making daisy chains, running about.
Lyd, your kids are taking the mick, love, Nina muttered while threading chicken onto skewers. Elizas only seventeen, but her demandshonestly! When did you last get your hair done?
What for? Lydia shrugged. I trim my fringe myself and always have some dye at home for my roots.
Nina did the classic palm-to-face gesture. And when did you last buy anything for yourself?
Ive got plenty to wear Lydia shrugged again. The wardrobes full.
Full of what, stuff you bought before you got married? Nina grinned. You seriously need to rethink your life, love. Time for some changes. Come on, lets toast to us!
She poured drinks into glasses. They looked after Poppy, put her to bed, and sat reminiscing about their younger days, all their dreams and schemes. Lydia realised that apart from being a mum, she hadnt really done much else with her lifeand now, the family shed poured her heart into was just a word.
Next day, as Lydia and Poppy were dropped off home, Nina gave her a hug and whispered, Dont give up on your dreams.
Lydia nodded.
Back at the flat, they were greeted by furious parents.
Mum, have you lost your mind? Dragging a poorly child about god knows where? Victor was livid.
You knew where, love, we went to Ninas cottage, Lydia tried to reassure him.
Mum, Dadit was brilliant! piped up Poppy, but they ignored her.
Thats not on, Lydia! chimed in her daughter-in-law. We nearly lost the plot when no one was here earlier.
What for? Lydia was genuinely puzzled. Id have called if anything was wrong.
We didnt expect this of you! snapped Victor as they took Poppy home, slamming the door behind them.
Funny, isnt it? Eliza appeared from her room. Yesterday they werent so bothered, off enjoying themselves. But now they care?
Lydia looked at Eliza. Shed thought the same herself, but hadn’t dared say it out loud.
How was last night? Lydia asked.
Fine, Eliza snorted. Everyone else went to a café after, so I had to trek home alone. Dad sends you maintenancewhere does it all go?
What do you mean, where? Tutors, your new phone, your fancy clothes. I never knew a t-shirt could cost as much as a bicycle!
You know nothing about brands, Mum! Eliza snapped, heading to her room.
Walking past Elizas doorway, Lydia overheard her chatting on her phone about her. Shes like a tramp, mums clothes are awful, her hairs a weird ginger, the fringe looks like she cut it in the dark. Im ashamed to be seen with her. No wonder Dad left. Saw him with his new wifeshes stunning! My birthdays soondunno how to even ask her. All she ever goes on about is no money, its for medicine
Lydia stopped listening. The only thing she focused on was Elizas birthday.
Theres no way Ill let her down, Lydia told herself. Ill borrow if I have to, but shell have a birthday to remember!
The day approached. Lydia borrowed money from Nina, not saying what it was for. She bought flowers, ordered a cake that cost her an arm and a leg, made salads, roasted chicken thighs with veg, and put three hundred pounds in an envelope.
On the morning, Eliza came into the kitchen. Lydia greeted her with flowers and the envelope.
Happy birthday, love
Ooh, an envelope! Eliza snatched it and peeked in. Is that it? All of it? Seriously? Good thing Dad chipped in, otherwise Id be embarrassed at the café!
She barely looked at her mum. Put the flowers in a vase. Im off.
She turned and quickly started dialling someone. Hey! Were on for tonight at the café! Meet at five.
Lizzie, I actually made a spread, thought you might bring your mates round Lydia called after her, disheartened.
Did I ask for that? Who wants chicken and old lady salads? Were going out, Mum. Wouldve been better if youd just given me the money! And off she went, leaving her mum with the flowers and the feast.
Lydia stood alone, looking at the untouched food, a wave of anger bubbling up. She remembered her daughters phone call, her sons and daughter-in-laws complaints, their absolute presumption. She recalled Ninas words, glanced in the mirror
Im fifty-two. But what do I look like? She really looked at herself for the first time in years. Decent figure, hidden under baggy skirts and faded jumpers. Not a scrap of makeup. Tired face. Dark circles. Her hair, dry and misshapen. Even Baba Yaga would be more glamorous. And for what? So she could listen to their complaints? Had anyone ever asked what she wanted?
As she wandered from room to room, her thoughts boiled. Her whole life had been for the kids. Her husband got boredshe never looked after herself, always put everyone ahead, and thats why he left.
Id have left too, she laughed out loud. Then reached for her phone.
Nina, can you give me your hairdressers number? And would you come shopping with me? On payday, mind, I still owe you for Elizas birthday.
She told Nina how the party had gone down.
Right, Nina said, consider it my gift to Eliza, but you and me are going! No backing out. Get ready! Todays not just your daughters big dayits yours too.
Moments after they ended the call, her son rang.
Mum, were dropping Poppy off in a bit. Eliza invited us to the café.
Im not home today, and I wont be this evening either, said Lydia, quietly but firmly, and hung up. Her eyes stung.
There. Not even invited! Only wanted for babysitting or splashing a bit of cash! But for the partyno mum allowed? Well, thats my fault, isnt it?
The phone rang againVictor.
Mum, whats going on? Where are you? Were here already. What do you expect us to do with Poppy now? he sounded angry.
Take her anywhere you like! Did you even ask if I was busy or free? No, just turn up and expect me to drop everything. From now on, give me two days notice if you want me to babysit. I love Poppy, but Ive got my own life too, you hear me?
Victor was silent, floored by her pushback.
Do you understand, Victor? Lydia said sternly.
Yes, he replied, deflated.
She hung up. Victor stared at his blank screen, at a loss for words.
The next morning, Eliza barely recognised her mum. Shed got in late, after Lydia was already in bed, and in the morning, there was a stylish woman at the table drinking coffee.
Hello! Wheres Mum? Eliza gawked at the woman.
Right here, said Lydia, cool as you like.
Mum?! Elizas jaw dropped.
No, just a hologram! Lydia chuckled. Well then, happy coming-of-age! No more maintenance from Dadmy obligations are done. If you study at uni, Ill help out a bit, but youll need to start managing yourself. Want to get a job? Go for it. Even think about getting your own place. Time to be independent.
Eliza couldnt believe her earsor her eyes. Lydia, who used to seem so tired and apologetic, sat there confident as a queen. Smart new haircut, makeup, on-trend trouser suit, even earrings she hadnt worn in decades.
Im off to work. Wash up the dishes. Theres food in the fridge for three days. Eat that cake, if you like. After work, Im off to Ninas cottage. Got my own celebration nowmy kids are grown up. Time for a fresh start.
Eliza watched out the window as a tall, elegant woman stepped out of the building, jumped over a puddle in heels, and strolled away, light on her feet. Shed hoped her mother would change her mind and go back to being as she wasbut Lydia much preferred the new her. A proud woman, spreading her wings, embracing the freedom shed found at last.
