What are you doing back here? Poppy asked, eyes narrowed as she spotted the battered suitcases.
Im back, as you can see, James said with a grin, gesturing at the bags.
Since when? she tilted her head. Its been six months.
Poppy, I cant just leave like that! James sighed heavily. The thought of abandoning you tore my heart apart. Im a mess, you know how Ive been suffering.
Im suffering? Poppy echoed.
At least I dont have to paint a smile for you, James chuckled. You can put on a brave face for everyone else and pretend my leaving meant nothing, that youre fine.
I get how hard it is for youalone, with a child!
Poppy let out a thoughtful hum.
Did you change the lock? James rattled a keyring. It must be broken, thats the proof. I didnt oil it in time, so it gave out.
Poppy fell silent, unsure how to answer. The lift dings and its doors open on their floor.
Dad? a small voice asked, confused.
Yes, son, James knelt, opening his arms. Im moving back in. Come on, Ill hug you.
Tommy glanced at his mother, who gave a hesitant nod.
Alright, Poppy said, let him in, well see what happens.
James entered the flat like an owner, yet he walked to the kitchen as a guest.
A new key shelf and a shoe cabinet now stood in the hallway. The light fixture had been swapped, and the interior doors were fresh.
When Poppy passed the bathroom after James, she flicked the switch.
Whats that? James asked.
You remember how damp the bathroom always was? Poppy replied. I installed an extractor so the door can stay open.
Give me a minute, it doesnt matter, she waved off. Tea or coffee?
Make coffee, James said, planting himself on a stoolanother new addition.
Poppy took a pod from the jar, popped it into the machine, and pressed the button.
Ill just change my shirt, she said with a smile.
No problem, James replied, gesturing coolly.
The kitchen now featured a different kettle, new pots, and a tiled backsplash instead of the old adhesive film James had once put up. Hooks for towels hung by the sink.
When Poppy returned in a tracksuitshed previously been in a dressing gownJamess mood had shifted entirely from when he first arrived.
Whats this then? James demanded.
Who? Poppy asked, bewildered.
What bloke have you brought home? I need to know whos raising my son! And were not even divorced yet!
Drink your coffee, Poppy said, smiling.
Look at her! James shouted. I felt sorry for her, came back, and shes off doing who knows what, with a living husband! Poppy!
You should be drinking that coffee, he barked.
Ill pour it over your head if you dont! James leapt up. Whats going on here? I demand answers!
***
Six months earlier Poppy had decided her life was over. It felt like an earthquake she could not explain.
Poppy, I think our marriage has run its course, James declared. The feelings and warmth are gone.
What bound us is gone. Staying together just for Tommy is a huge sacrifice.
Divorce? Poppy asked, voice trembling.
I suggest we dont rush, James said. I might be wrongmaybe terribly wrong. Lets live apart for now, not file for divorce. I wont be dropping by, but if you really need me, give me a call. Just dont keep ringing I might already have a new life.
His words hit Poppy hard. She took his silence as something else.
Dont bother the court for maintenance; the bureaucracy isnt worth it. Youll get at most £15,000 a month, he said. Ill give you that for the next month, then top it up when my salary comes in. Were adults; we both have to support ourselves.
Ill still contribute for Tommy, he added. So go ahead, dont be offended.
There was no offense to be had. Poppy felt adrift between sky and earth.
Nine years of what she thought was a happy marriage collapsed in an instant. She couldnt recall any warning signs. Everything had seemed fine.
Why had she decided life was over? Because, in her adult world, nothing existed beyond the marriage. Her independent life had only begun when she earned her degree and they staged the wedding.
James had always been there: escorting her to interviews, helping with paperwork, driving her to work, meeting her there. He attended every prenatal appointment, even when they opted for a joint birth plansomething he insisted on.
The father should claim his son in this world, hed said when they brought their baby home from the hospital, wrapping the newborn in fresh paint and new furniture.
Luckily they had no mortgage. Poppy inherited a flat from a distant aunt, so there were funds for renovations and furnishings.
James let Poppy run the household, stepping in only when she asked. Their extended families got along famouslyJamess parents and Poppys parents were on good terms, and she became friends with Jamess mother and sister. Holiday gatherings always ended with everyone around one big table, no hard feelings.
When Tommy grew older, Poppy returned to work, but Jamess schedule changed and he stopped driving her to and from the office. She learned to commute herself; her dad gave her a car and paid for her driving lessons. When the car needed service, shed ask James to take it to the garage. He refused, citing the bias mechanics have toward ladies cars, so she handled it herself, handing over the keys when something went wrong.
Poppy wasnt a dependent; she solved household problems herself, calling James only when she truly needed help. At work she earned respect for her diligence, climbing two rungs up the career ladder in five years. She always ran to James with good news, and they celebrated together.
Essentially, James had been her everythingevery breath, every sighuntil he left. Poppy felt lost, searching subconsciously for his presence. When she couldnt find him, everything fell apart.
Her parents noticed her despondence. Her mother grew worried, and her father, Denis Anderson, sat down with her.
Love, life throws curveballs, he said gently. Its not a reason to lose heart. Its hard to understand, but life goes on.
Dad, everythings falling apart, Poppy sobbed. I have no strength or desire to do anything!
Poppy, your mother and I will always support you. Use that head of yours! he encouraged. We raised you to be clever. Dont disappoint us.
His words were kind, not accusatory.
Poppy drifted for a month, making no changes, until something odd happened that lifted her spirits. Imagine a math problem where you simply erase a variable; the solution changes entirely.
She discovered she didnt need to clean every day. The house stayed tidy for four to seven days despite having an eightyearold son. Laundry became less frequent, and the detergent bottle, now in its third month, still hadnt run dry. She also learned she didnt need to cook three hours a day; a meal every other day was more than enough, far less than before.
Money? Although Jamess salary vanished from the family budget, she still received her own wages and the £15,000 child maintenance. Yet by months end she somehow had £25,000 left.
Did I miss a payment? she wondered, frantic. Did I forget something?
All the numbers added up; the house was comfortable.
Shed long wanted new doors in the bedrooms. With the unexpected cash, she bought them. The shop said they could provide installers. Two sturdy young men arrived, hauled out the old doors, took them to the skip, fitted the new ones, and even swept up after themselves.
Poppy thought, How much would James have fussed about changing these doors? Yet the money in her pocket made the purchase easy.
She bought a key shelf, a new hallway light, and a shoe cabinet. She considered asking James to assemble them, but recalled his plea not to be dragged back.
Hire a handyman for an hour? she mused. Why not?
A local handyman showed up, listened, nodded, and after an hour said, All done. I cleaned the bathroom, wiped down the damp spots. Dont worry about mouldjust keep the door open.
Thats an ageold problem, she waved off. I just leave the door ajar.
He suggested installing a vent with the existing ductwork, adding a switchhalf an hours work, modest fee.
Can you do it tomorrow after lunch? she asked.
Easy, no fuss, just pay and its sorted, he replied, and Poppys mind sparked with plans for further improvements.
Tommy was on holiday, so Poppy decided to take him to her grandmothersnot her own mothers, but Jamess mothers. The fact that James had left didnt strain the relationship with his family. They all got along, chatted about nothing in particular, and Jamess sister was there too. They discussed the latest celebrity gossip and had a pleasant visit.
Three days later James burst back in, shouting, Im back!
***
You could demand when you were my husband, Poppy said. Now just have a coffee and go.
Im not going anywhere! James roared. Im still your husband! I came back! I felt sorry for you, so you wouldnt disappear without me!
As you can see, Poppy smiled, you havent disappeared, but youre only a husband on paper. Ill fix that soon enough.
James stared at her, baffled, unable to grasp how his noble act of not breaking the family had been rejected.
Dont want coffee? Then get out, Poppy waved her hand as if swatting a fly. I still have lessons to do with Tommy!
The tie with his motherinlaw and sister suddenly souredunderstandably, who would tell James that Poppy hadnt burned up after his abandonment? They were the ones who sent James to save Poppy from her own wellbeing.
