Youre a slacker, but your demands are regal! Youd better bring in more cash for the family than spend it on fancy groceries, Mabel Harrington muttered, shaking her tea cup.
Hello, love. Im back home and youre nowhere Edward Wilson called Poppy, only to discover she hadnt returned, even though theyd planned to mark the anniversary of their relationship.
Hi, darling. Im a bit late at the meeting sorry. Ill be there soon. Ive already prepared a celebratory dinner. If youre starving, help yourself to a nibble.
Yes, I saw on the table: baked cod and whipped cream. Odd pairing. Sweetheart, could you be expecting? Edward smiled.
Um The fish should be separate from the cream. I intended the cream with strawberries and cheese for dessert, Poppy replied.
No way? Then Ill pop down to the shop for strawberries. Which cheese should I grab?
Edward, Ive sorted everything. Look at the plate theres strawberry. Cant you see it? And the blueveined cheese sits in the fridge, our favourite. I got a tip from a client and thought wed treat ourselves for the anniversary. If you really want to run to the shop, just head to the corner partygoods store. Pick up some candles Im craving romance.
Poppy, my sunshine! Im getting nervous Am I the only one for you?
Which one?
Husband.
What nonsense! Youre my only man!
So Im not clear about this strawberries with cream thing. Did you eat it before I got there?
Edward, not funny. Want me to send you the receipt? I rode the bus this morning to the big Tesco for the best strawberries! Bought the cheese there too. Picked up a tub of cottage cheese for breakfast, your favourite, the kind they dont send to our local shop!
Cottage cheese is there but no cheese or strawberries.
What about the wine? Sparkling!
Where should I look?
In the fridge! I left it to chill!
There it is, a lovely bottle spent a good sum? Or was it on sale?
Two for half price!
Did you already drink the second one? Edwards voice was puzzled.
Yes, before a client meeting. For courage, Poppy replied with dry humour. Stop joking, Edward! I put two bottles in the fridge. If you havent started the celebration yet Im not sure theres strawberry, cheese and TWO bottles of bubbly waiting.
Come over and see that theres nothing left.
Edward was taken aback. Hed never noticed his wifes meticulousness before. Poppy was young, sharpminded, with a perfect memory. Now everything seemed a mess.
Maybe she overcooked? Then the gift was spot on. She needs a break, a bit of relaxation.
When Poppy got home, Edwards words rang true: no berries, no cheese lay on the table.
A poltergeist, Im clueless
Perhaps you left them at the till? That happens
I remember washing the berries and arranging them on a plate.
Well Im not sure then. Here, Ill give you a voucher for a massage. Youll unwind
Thanks, but dont turn me into a Parkinsons patient!
They exchanged a glance and abandoned the argument. Edward bought grapes instead of strawberries, and swapped the blueveined cheese for a regular block on sale from the corner shop.
It didnt spoil the romantic evening.
Next morning Edward left for work, and Poppy ran a little late. She wanted to visit the salon to use her husbands gift; luckily her shift allowed her to pick a convenient slot. On her way out she realised shed left the voucher at home. She turned back, but the key wouldnt turn someone had locked the door from inside.
She rang the bell, waited a moment, then pounded on the door. Poppy thought perhaps her husband had forgotten something too and had rushed back. After about five minutes, the door opened to reveal Mabel Harrington.
Mrs. Harrington?! What are you doing here? Poppy gasped.
I was passing by. Thought Id pop in
How did you get the door?
Edward was home; he let me in
Edward left before me!
Well hes back.
When did you get here? I just stepped out! Mrs. Harrington, confess what were you doing in my flat?!
Its not my flat. Its my sons apartment.
It was bought during the marriage, partly with my money! Poppy marched into the kitchen and spotted a hastily hidden bag with a container. Whats this? Did you take the fish I was cooking yesterday?
Just bits head and tail. I thought Id feed the neighbourhood cats.
There are no cats in our garden, Mrs. Harrington! And you want to give the leftover grapes to cats too?
Poppy pursed her lips.
If youre short of cash, you should have said so! Besides Edward sends you money, a small amount.
He hasnt sent a penny in two months! He throws spare change at you, barely enough for a pension. My fridge is empty, Im barely hanging on!
Were planning renovations, so were cutting back Poppy replied, irritated by her motherinlaws behaviour. She didnt mind the food, she just wanted to know why the fridge was being emptied. Otherwise she might have lost her mind, spotting missing dishes again and again.
Fine, give me the fish, Im off. Ive got a million things to do, Mabel said, leaving without explaining how shed got into the flat, but Poppy guessed she now had a spare set of keys.
That evening Edward returned from work, and Poppy recounted the strange visit.
Did you really think about cats? Maybe shes so poor shes scraping the last stale biscuit?
I dont know, we should talk to her, maybe pay a visit, Edward mused. Poppy nodded, and the next day she set off to check on Mabels house.
Mabel wasnt home; a neighbour, Mrs. Clarke, let Poppy in.
Taya went to the bank, why dont you have a seat, have a cuppa, she said.
Thanks Do you know why she went to the bank?
To withdraw savings, shes buying something big
Didnt she tell you how her finances are?
She keeps bragging, my son sends huge sums! He covers food, the house, even has leftovers. Edward spoils her, of course Yesterday I visited, and shed already set the table. The delicacies she served were fit for a TV show! And the wine she poured! My grandchildren dont help they give a little money then leave me to manage. But her granddaughter bought a new TV for the holiday, huge and beautiful! Now I watch dramas in crystalclear picture. She even got a subscription to that streaming service thats on all day. Lovely, really. By the way, could you help me sort a channel? I love reading the authors blogs.
Mrs. Clarke kept Poppy occupied until Mabel returned.
Oh, here comes your motherinlaw. Youd better hurry, youll be late for work, the neighbour whispered, watching Mabel in the window.
My shifts are flexible. I work in the beauty industry, Poppy replied.
Oh dear, Taya kept buzzing my ears. She says youre idle and Edward supports you. Three levels of education, she says, yet the same old royal demands: Serve French wine, blueveined cheese but you know nothing about it! Shed rather bring money into the family, the neighbour muttered, then covered her mouth, realizing shed said too much. Dont take it to heart.
Thanks for the tea. I must be off, Poppy murmured.
Mabel swung the door open, surprised by her daughterinlaws presence.
Darling? Whats this about?
I had a client nearby, thought Id drop in. Arrived early, nothing to do. May I have a cup of tea? Poppy entered the kitchen as confidently as Mabel had entered her flat days before. I see youre sipping expensive wine how will you get to retirement with that? One bottle costs more than your monthly income! Poppy pointed to the very bottle missing from the shelf, the one Edward had bought for their anniversary. And that French cheese some people only see such delicacies on TV. You, Mrs. Harrington, are living the high life. Did you get a pension boost? Or perhaps you found a treasure? Share, we could start the renovation, but the moneys thin
Rage flared in Poppy. She realised Mabel had prowled into their home, emptied the fridge, and then bragged with the neighbour about how poor her soninlaw had left her.
This is what I bought, dont blame me! Mabel puffed up like a turkey.
In that case, produce the receipts!
Poppy recalled other missing items a new face cream, a fancy mug werent accidents. Mabel pilfered anything that didnt sit snugly, then boasted to the neighbour how her son helped her so well.
I dont owe you explanations!
At that moment Mabels mobile rang. The caller ID showed an electronics megastore.
Mabel didnt want to talk with Poppy, but feared missing the call, so she answered.
Yes?
Mrs. Harrington? Regarding your order will you be paying cash to the courier?
Yes she whispered.
The courier will arrive tomorrow between ten and six. Is it convenient to receive the television?
Yes.
Could you confirm the delivery address, please? We need to verify
She had to dictate the address with Poppy listening. The pricey purchase could no longer be hidden.
So you used my husbands money to set up a home cinema? To brag to the neighbours?
Mabel flushed.
Well then, Edward wont be helping you any more. Youve got everything you need! Our bathroom pipes are rotting, might as well flood the neighbours.
Poppy burst out of the flat, slamming the door loudly.
That night Edward and Poppy had a serious talk. Edward might not have believed Poppy if she hadnt photographed the cheese and wine inside Mabels kitchen.
Everyone wants a good life, Edward muttered.
Now its our turn. Your mother will wait.
Alright, Poppy. Ive heard you. I wont send more money to my mum.
He kept his word, and Poppy, once shed bought treats for the celebration, now stored delicacies in a fridge with a coded lock, feeling safer.
Mabel never admitted her fault. She kept complaining to the neighbours about her daughterinlaw, but stopped inviting them over with French cheese and ChâteauBar’ champagne, and ceased splurging her pension on such luxuries. Cutting back, Edward and Poppy managed the renovation and even began planning for children. Mabel, now a granny, finally realised happiness isnt in money. She gained a real pride a golden granddaughter.
