My mum asked me to take a paternity test, and I went along with it even though I never doubted that little Poppy was my daughter.
The names Victor, Im 37, and despite having checked off every box on my lifes bingo card, I was missing one piece a proper family. Since my dad shuffled off this mortal coil six years ago, Ive been sharing a twobedroom flat in Manchester with my mother. I didnt want to let her down, so I earned a respectable degree, landed a decent job in the city and ticked the make Mum proud box. She was practically salivating at the thought of me announcing Id found my other half, just so she could start bragging about having grandchildren.
Enter Ellie, a shy girl from a tiny Yorkshire hamlet who was still a university student when we met. Her family didnt have a spare penny to rub together, but that never bothered me. Mum, however, was having none of it, insisting Ellie wasnt the sort of partner I should have. I finally put my heart in the drivers seat and started dating her anyway. After a few months I brought Ellie home, announced we were moving in together andbonusshe was carrying my child. Mum raised an eyebrow, convinced Ellie was just pulling a fast one to stay in town.
Against Mums wishes, Ellie moved in, and Mum tolerably welcomed her, albeit with the enthusiasm of a cat at a bath. Over time Ellie proved herself a topnotch housekeeper, and Mums nerves settled down, though she still seemed eager to stir the pot.
A few months later we had a baby girl, Poppy. Mum, ever the worrier, asked for a paternity test. I agreed, even though I was 100 per cent sure Poppy was mine. The results came back confirming I was the dad, yet Mum still refused to accept Ellie as part of the family. She even suggested I split up with Ellie and hand the child over to her.
That was the last straw. I packed my things, Ellie, and little Poppy, and walked out of Mums house. Since then I keep contact with Mum to a bare minimum, convinced shes selfish and blind to my feelings. Its a pity she cant see Ellie as a member of our clan, but Im not about to swallow her attitude any longer.
