Poppy, Ive packed your things and left them by the front door, James said, his voice flat as a board. Youre not living here any more. Were getting a divorce. Harry will stay with me. He shoved the bags out and walked away.
Dont worry, I told myself. Hell calm down, youll apologise, and things will go back to the way they were. In the meantime you can crash at Mums.
Everything in Poppys life had been going great. Seven years ago shed married the steadyasarock software developer James and moved out of her mums house in Leeds into his flat in Birmingham.
Two years later she gave birth to a son, Harry, who James adored. He took to fatherhood like a fish to water, leaving Poppy free to climb the ladder at her own retail company.
Her career was on the up too. The bosses loved her reliability and drive, and after a monthlong conference in London she was due to be promoted to head of department a step that might even open the door to a role in the capital.
She also had a little secret on the side a handsome colleague, Liam, who could keep his tongue in check when needed.
They didnt meet all that often, but it was enough for Poppy to feel wanted and to spice up her otherwise predictable marriage.
Watch yourself, Poppy! her mother, Margaret, would scold, fully aware of the affair. James wont ever forgive you if he finds out. Harry will grow up without a father.
Dont panic, Mum, Poppy would wave off. Im careful. James loves me and trusts me completely.
Eventually James started to get suspicious about her late nights at work, and he wasnt thrilled about her wanting to move to London. Theyd argue a few times, but James was quick to make up, and theyd be fine again.
To be safe, Poppy put the fling on pause, which left Liam feeling very peeved.
She figured he was just missing his favourite lady, but the truth was different.
Whats with you, Liam? Did she dump you? she overheard him chatting with a coworker, Oliver.
Enough already! Liam snapped. James smells something. Did I waste a whole year on her?
She was supposed to take him with her to London, maybe even get a promotion after she left. Instead, hes just sulking.
Come off it, Oliver laughed. I thought you two were head over heels.
What are you on about? Liam scoffed. That old hag cant hold a candle to me!
Poppys cheeks flushed. Old hag? He was only three years younger than Liam!
She let the comment fly right back at him. Oliver slipped away, and the two kept bickering in the stairwell, completely oblivious to the bosss arrival.
Whats all this then? David Sinclairs voice boomed right next to them, making both men jump. Did you think this was a dating club?
Mmmaybe we Liam stammered.
Poppy, I never expected that from you, David said, barely listening to Liams excuse. Ill think twice about that promotion, and whether you even belong in the London office.
Its a misunderstanding, sir, Poppy blurted, mortified. Ill explain everything
And whether you stay with us, Liam, Ill decide too, David shot back coldly, then walked away, leaving the pair stunned.
David didnt linger long. Poppy was still a valuable employee; shed been with the firm since day one, while Liam had only joined a couple of years ago. They didnt fire him, but they transferred him to a branch on the other side of the city.
She tried to forget the vulgar farewell Liam gave her, and eventually the whole episode, but a few days later it resurfaced.
You late again? James asked, his tone icy.
Yeah, she replied, feeling no guilt. Just dealing with a tricky client. She barely noticed the narrowed look in his eyes.
Earned yourself a promotion again? he sneered, slamming a stack of photos on the table.
The pictures showed Poppy and Liam in a café, on a street, stepping out of a hotel. Anyone could see they were cheating.
She was fed up trying to defend herself at work, and thought maybe James would forgive her if she came clean. So she decided to admit it not the whole saga, just that shed had a few flings, got carried away, and so on.
James didnt react the way shed expected. That night he didnt speak to her at all; he went to Harrys room and the next morning he came home, gathered her suitcase, and put it by the hallway.
Youre not living here any more. Were getting a divorce. Harry stays with me, he repeated, his words cutting.
She was so shocked she didnt even argue.
Itll be fine, James said later. Youll apologise, well get back to normal. You can stay with your mum for a while.
I told you! Margaret scolded, then softened. Itll work out. It just sucks that Harry will grow up without his mother.
Dont worry, Mum, Ill sort it out, Poppy replied, the mention of Harry making her irritated.
She also wanted revenge on the one whod tipped James off and in her mind that could only be Liam.
The next day she cornered him at his new office.
Great, Liam muttered. Now I have to start from scratch, prove to David that Im still useful.
You think youre some hero for bringing this on? Poppy asked, baffled.
No idea, Liam shrugged. I didnt even take the photos; thats oldschool stuff.
Before she could get the scoop, James cut her off. He filed for divorce, refused to let her see Harry, and even changed the locks. Harry stopped going to nursery, and Poppy could barely catch a glimpse of him on his walks. James wouldnt let her into the flat at all.
My son doesnt need a mother like you, he snarled, stonefaced. If you keep hanging around, Ill strip you of parental rights, as if you were some irresponsible woman.
Youve lost your mind! Poppy shouted. James, lets talk like adults!
It didnt work.
Margaret tried to intervene with James, pleading for her grandson, but he remained politely firm while refusing any compromise.
Poppy threw herself into work, hoping David would eventually send her to London for that coveted departmenthead role. She kept her chin up, thinking the family could be reunited.
Mom, guess what! she burst into Margarets flat one evening, beaming. In a week Im off to the capital, and then
Margarets face fell, and she slumped in her chair, covering her face with her hands, sobbing.
Mom whats wrong? Poppy rushed over. What happened?
What happened?! Margaret snapped, eyes red. Youre ditching me again? You cant sit still, can you? And you dont even care about your own mother!
I still pop round twice a week, and now Im staying here temporarily, Poppy tried to explain.
Thanks a lot, Margaret said coldly, waving a hand. Youve done a favour to your mother. Nobody wants me
What are you on about? Poppy asked, bewildered.
I tried, I thought but its all gone wrong, Margaret mumbled.
Then it clicked for Poppy.
Mum did you tell James about the photos? Did you take them? she asked, voice shaking.
What else was I supposed to do? I was alone, abandoned by everyone. I thought youd move in with me and Harry, and wed all live happily together Who could have guessed?
Poppy stared at her mothers trembling face, then tossed her suitcase into the hallway and walked out. She spent a couple of nights at a friends place before renting a flat of her own.
A month later James finally let her see Harry, and the three of them started spending time together again. It looks like the family might actually get back together after all.
