Hey love, grab a cuppa and settle in, because Ive got to tell you about Poppy and James and the whole nightmare with Jamess mum.
Honestly, I told you I dont want to go to your parents place this weekend! Poppy was standing in the kitchen, ladle in hand, her eyes red from crying.
Poppy, why are you blowing this out of proportion? James was glued to his phone at the table. Its just dinner, nothing special.
Nothing special? Your mum finds something to nitpick every single time! One minute the soup is too salty, the next she says Im dressed wrong, then she complains we arrived late or left early!
Youre exaggerating.
Exaggerating? Poppy slammed the ladle into the sink. The last time she told everyone Im a terrible host because I cant bake a pie!
Your mum was just trying to help, James muttered.
Help? It sounded more like, Look at Poppy, she cant even bake a pie!
James finally put his phone down and stared at her.
Poppy, enough. Im knackered from work, I dont want to argue.
And Im exhausted from putting up with your mums humiliation!
What humiliation? Youre making it all up!
Poppy sank into a chair, hugging her head with both hands. Tears dripped onto the kitchen mat. She was really tired. Three years of marriage had turned into a constant battle just to be heard.
Theyd met at work James was an engineer in the design department, Poppy did the accounts. He asked her out for coffee, they clicked, and everything felt easy and bright.
The trouble started when James introduced her to his parents. His mum gave her a cold, appraising glance from head to toe. His dad just nodded and drifted into another room.
So this is the infamous Poppy? his mum asked, not even offering a seat.
Yep, Mum, this is Poppy, James replied.
Well, hello then. James has told me loads about you. She sounded as if shed just heard something scandalous. Poppy felt awkward but forced a smile.
The wedding was modest they didnt have much cash, so they kept it small. His mum spent the whole evening with a sour face, constantly comparing their nuptials to her younger son Ians lavish bash.
Ian had a fullblown affair! Big restaurant, live band, a hundred guests!
Mom, we cant afford that, James whispered.
Opportunities are made, James. You just have to organise.
After the wedding they moved into a tiny onebed flat on the outskirts of Manchester. It was a rented place, and they were still saving for something better.
Jamess mum would pop in unannounced, ring the bell, and start inspecting.
Poppy, why is there dust on the wardrobe?
I cleaned yesterday, Eleanor, Poppy replied.
Looks like you didnt clean properly. Whats for dinner?
Bangers and mash.
James hates mash. He prefers rice.
He never mentioned that to me.
Because hes being polite. He doesnt want to offend you.
Poppy clenched her fists. James rarely stepped in to defend her, and that hurt the most.
Now, sitting in the kitchen after yet another blowup, Poppy felt the patience in her cup slowly draining away.
The phone rang. James answered.
Hello, Mum. Yeah, Im home. Alright, Ill pass the message on.
He handed the handset to Poppy, who took it reluctantly.
Poppy, get over here tomorrow morning, Eleanors voice was sharp.
What for?
We need to talk.
About what?
Youll find out. I expect you by ten.
Eleanor hung up without a goodbye. Poppy set the phone down.
What does she want? James asked.
Just said I have to go tomorrow.
Great, youll have a proper womentalk then.
Your mum never talks to me, she just orders.
Poppy, stop it!
Poppy slipped into the bathroom, locked the door, and turned the tap on so James couldnt hear her sobbing.
The next morning she drove to Eleanors flat in the city centre. Eleanor lived alone in a threebed flat since her husband died a decade ago.
The door opened instantly shed been waiting.
Come in, get undressed, she said.
Poppy hung her coat in the hallway. Eleanor led her to the kitchen where a kettle boiled and biscuits lay on a plate.
Sit down, want tea?
No, thanks.
Your call.
Eleanor poured herself a mug and sat opposite Poppy.
I called you because its important.
Im listening.
Ian and his family are coming from London for the weekend, staying a week.
And where are they supposed to stay?
Hotels are pricey and its a hassle with two kids. So
She paused, eyes locked on Poppy.
Free up the bedroom for the weekend, please. My brother and his family need a place.
The bedroom?
Yes, yours with James. In your flat.
Poppy couldnt believe what she was hearing.
You want us to hand over our own flat to Ian?
Not hand over, just let them crash for a week.
And where do we go?
You move in with me. I have space.
This is our rented flat, Eleanor!
Its not ours, its a tenancy. We pay the rent each month.
So what? Family comes first, right? Ians your brother, his wife Claire is your sisterinlaw, the kids are your nieces and nephews. You cant say no to family.
Poppy sat stunned. Her motherinlaw was seriously demanding they vacate their own place for a week.
I need to discuss this with James.
He already knows. I spoke to him yesterday; hes fine with it.
What? Hes fine?
She said its no problem, a week at my place.
Poppy stood up.
Im leaving.
So you agree?
No, Im not. Ill still talk to James.
Poppy, dont make a fuss. Family is sacred!
Poppy walked out without a goodbye, the bus humming as she stared out the window, thoughts swirling.
James came home that evening. Poppy met him at the door.
Why didnt you tell me about Ian?
Did Mum call? he slipped off his shoes and headed to the kitchen.
She called. Said we have to move out of the flat.
Poppy, its just a week.
This is our flat!
Its rented.
But we pay for it! We live here!
I get it, but Ian cant find a place with two kids. Hotels are a nightmare.
Let them find a flat themselves!
Why, when we have space?
We dont have space! We have the flat we live in!
James sank his hands into his face.
Poppy, Im tired. I dont want to fight. Its only a week. Well stay with my mum, its not the end of the world.
For you it isnt, but for me it feels like humiliation!
What humiliation? Its just helping my brother!
My brother! Nobody asked me!
Im asking now.
You already agreed with your mum!
They stared at each other, James weary, Poppy defiant.
So its settled? she asked.
Yes.
Without my say?
Poppy, its my family too.
And I am what? A stranger?
Youre my wife. But Ian is my brother. Mum asked, I cant refuse.
Poppy marched to the bedroom, grabbed her bag, and started packing.
What are you doing? James appeared in the doorway.
Im moving my things out. If the flats needed for your brother, Ill clear it right now.
Youre serious? They only arrive on Friday!
I dont care. Im leaving.
Where to?
To a friend.
Poppy, stop the drama!
Its not drama, its my decision! You chose family, I chose myself!
She stuffed the suitcase, snatched her toiletries, and James stared, stunned.
Youre really going?
Absolutely.
Where?
To Sophie.
Sophie will turn you away?
She wont.
Poppy dialed Sophie.
Sophie, can I crash at yours for a few days? Yeah, weve had a blowup with James. Thanks, Im on my way. She grabbed her coat, and James grabbed her wrist.
Stay. Lets talk.
Theres nothing to talk about. You made the call without me, so Im not needed.
I need you.
Youre just a polite doll for Mum, not my wife.
She walked out, James closed the door behind her.
Sophie lived alone in a twobed flat. She welcomed Poppy with a hug and a steaming mug.
Tell me everything, Sophie said, pouring tea.
Poppy vented. Sophie shook her head.
Your mum has gone too far.
Not just her. James too he never even consulted me!
You did right leaving. Let her see she cant push you around.
Will she ever understand?
If she loves you, she will.
Poppy curled up on Sophies sofa, sleepless, replaying the argument. Could James really not see how his mum was putting her down?
The next morning James called.
Poppy, you okay?
Fine.
Come back?
No.
You cant live at Sophies forever.
Ill find a room to rent.
Stupid, we have our flat!
The one youre giving to your brother.
For a week!
I dont care. Im not returning.
There was a pause.
Alright, well talk when youre calmer.
He hung up. For the first time in three years, Poppy felt a flicker of relief shed finally done what she wanted.
She started hunting for rooms. One ad caught her eye; she called the landlord.
Can I view today?
Yes, come over.
The room was tiny but tidy, in a shared house with two elderly flatmates. The landlady, Vera, was a kindly sixtyyearold.
You work, love?
Accountancy.
Married?
Divorced.
Rules are simple: keep it neat, quiet after ten, no overnight guests.
That works for me.
When can I move in?
Today if you like.
Vera handed her the keys.
Heres your room. Bathroom and kitchen are shared. Make yourself at home.
Poppy dropped her bag, took in the narrow bed, a battered wardrobe and a small desk by the window. It was modest, but hers no one to snarl at her.
She called Sophie to let her know.
Moving in today.
Are you sure about staying separate?
Yes.
What about James?
Hell stay with his mum. Her say is louder than mine.
Are you certain?
Absolutely.
That evening James called again.
Poppy, where are you?
Got a room.
What? Youve lost it!
No, I finally got my head straight.
Come back right now!
Youre my wife!
Was I?
Youre scaring me.
Listen, Im fed up being secondplace. Mum, then Ian, then me. I finally see it.
Im scared to go back. Itll just spin again.
I promise it wont.
Promises are easy.
Ill prove it.
He sounded desperate.
I love you, really. Ive always let Mum run the show because I was scared to say no. You matter more.
Poppy looked at him, saw the honesty.
Fine, Ill come back. But only if we find a new place or finally buy our own. I cant live where the drama lives.
Deal. We start hunting tomorrow.
A tiny smile broke across her face.
They said goodbye to Vera, who smiled.
You two sorted it out?
Yes, finally.
Good. Family is everything.
Driving home, Poppy stared out the window. The future was unknown, but she wasnt scared anymore. Shed learned to stand up for herself.
That night James cooked dinner. They ate, talked, and browsed flat listings together.
This twobed in a nice area looks good.
Its pricey.
Well manage. Its ours, not anyone elses.
They kept scrolling late into the night, then fell asleep wrapped in each others arms. For the first time in ages, James seemed genuinely caring.
The next morning Jamess mum called.
James, hand the phone to Poppy.
He handed it over. Poppy answered.
Poppy, Im sorry.
What?
I was wrong to demand the flat. Its your life, your decision.
Eleanor
Let me finish. Ive been harsh from the start, thinking nobody could have my James. Youre a good woman, James loves you. I nearly wrecked your marriage.
Poppy was silent.
Can we start over? Eleanor asked.
We can try.
Come over Sunday for lunch. Youll meet Ian and Claire properly.
Okay, well be there.
She hung up, looked at James.
Mum apologized.
Really?
Yes. She wants to make amends.
Did you agree?
Yes. I think we should give her a chance.
James pulled her close.
Thank you, youre amazing.
I just want us to be happy.
Sunday lunch turned out surprisingly lovely. Eleanor greeted them warmly, gave Poppy a hug.
Come on in, Ive made a feast!
Ian turned out to be a decent bloke, Claire friendly, the kids noisy but adorable. Eleanor even asked Poppy for the salad recipe shed brought.
Its brilliant! Can I have it?
Of course.
After the meal they all washed dishes together. Eleanor paused, then said, Poppy, I really want us to be friends.
Me too, Poppy replied.
I know I was a terrible motherinlaw. Ill try to change.
Thank you for saying that.
They embraced, finally on good terms after three years.
On the drive home they were both grinning.
See, things worked out, James said.
Yes, because I finally stood up for myself.
Your strength.
Poppy smiled. Shed found her voice, and no one would step over her boundaries again.
Things settled. They moved into a nice twobed flat of their own. Relations with Eleanor became respectful she no longer meddled. James stopped letting his mum dictate everything.
Poppy realised love isnt about putting up with humiliation. Its about mutual respect, backing each other up, and protecting each others space. And she finally felt that was what shed been missing.
