Did you put him on the council register for the flat? Sam asks, staring at his mother, disbelief written across his face. She never would have imagined that before.
Whats the problem? Does Ian have to be a total freeloader? she mutters, glancing at the man living with them, voice barely above a whisper.
Hes already forty he should have his own place by now!
Sams father dies when Sam is thirteen, and his little sister Poppy is only three. No one can step in to help; their maternal grandmother passed away two years earlier and there are no other relatives.
Honestly, Sam never feels much grief over his dad; the man was always on shift work and the family barely saw him. Still, his fathers wages kept the household afloat, and now theyre scraping by on their mothers modest shopassistant salary.
Sam feels sorry for his mum. Having lost her breadwinner, she seems adrift, and Sam does what he canhe takes odd jobs, helps around the house, watches Poppy. He never objects when, a year after his fathers death, she brings home a man called Neil.
Neil is a complete stranger, but Mum suddenly looks happy again, smiles more, even seems younger. The honeymoon only lasts a few months before Neil disappears.
He was married, Sam hears his mother sobbing to the neighbour, Lucy. He said he was on a business trip. Of course its nicer to live in a cosy flat than a hotel!
Oh, Sam, Lucy sighs. You have two kids you ought to look after them rather than chasing after random men.
Next comes Stephen, a gruff bloke who calls Mum his little swallow and Sam and Poppy his chicks. He stays for half a year. After him, a quiet, polite fellow named Stan moves in and lasts three months.
Why does Mum keep ending up with these men? Sam cant tell. Shes attractive, good with the house, caring After Stan, theres a lull.
I dont need anyone, she tells Lucy. God gave me good children Ill raise them and be happy.
Sam breathes a sigh of relief. Hes sixteen now and dreaming of university in another city. Thanks to his late grandmother, he started school at six, so he cant leave without Mums blessing, and he cant abandon his sister to a Mum who keeps getting tangled up with men.
What are you talking about, love! Mum flails her arms when Sam stammers about his plans as he nears the end of his eleventh year. Of course you can go! Poppy and I will manage. I probably wont be able to help you financially, though, she says, eyes dropping.
Ill look after myself, Sam declares, feeling a surge of confidence. Are you sure well be okay?
Absolutely.
He doesnt yet know that Mums easygoing farewell hides a deeper worry. He enrolls at university, moves into a dorm, studies hard and picks up an evening job. It isnt easy, but Sam is ready for the challenge.
He soon realises hell miss his mother, especially his little sister. Poppy idolises him, treating him like a hero and obeying his every word. She cries when she hears hes leaving, then insists its for the best and that shell wait for him.
A few months after Sam departs, their phone conversations at least every three days grow dull and sad. One day Poppy breaks down in tears.
Alright, my little mouse, Sam says firmly. Dry your eyes and tell me whats going on. Only the truth, remember that lying isnt right.
Poppy obeys, and within five minutes Sams stomach knots.
It turns out that as soon as he left, Mum brought home Uncle Ian a boisterous, loudmouthed electrician from a small local firm, balding and redcheeked, far from a handsome bloke. He acts like the king of the house, bossing both Mum and Poppy. Mum rolls out the carpet before him, completely forgetting her daughter.
Eightyearold Poppy now walks to school two blocks away on her own and returns alone. Mum stops taking her to the pool and the theatre club: If you want to go, you go yourself learn to be independent.
Ian insists Poppy must cook, wash, and iron for herself, and Mum, though initially resistant, soon gives in. He also forbids Poppy from leaving her room without permission when hes home, and she must avoid crossing his path as much as possible.
Whats Mum thinking, has she gone mad? Sam cant hold back. Ill talk to her. Dont cry, little mouse, Ill sort this out.
But it doesnt work.
Did I not deserve a little happiness? Mum snaps when Sam accuses her of making Poppy suffer. Ians a great man! Poppys just spoiled she needs discipline.
Poppy used to be called Petal by Mum in moments of anger, but now shes called Poppy all the time.
Mum, are you feeling alright? Does anything hurt? Sam asks gently.
I feel perfectly fine, Mum replies, then softens: Poppy is just exaggerating she misses you, so shes being dramatic to get your sympathy.
Sam isnt sure whether Poppy is making it up, but he has no reason to distrust his mother. He tries to focus on his studies, hoping to finish his exams early and land a job.
Money is tight; he doesnt drink, smoke, or hit the clubs with his mates. He passes most of his exams automatically, but he has to turn down a job offer.
Im scared of him, Poppy whispers into the phone, terrified. Mum and he keep fighting, she never leaves her room, and sometimes he just roams the flat in his underwear
What do you mean, completely? Sam asks.
Yes, Poppy repeats, her voice shaking. Im scared.
Sams imagination has never been calm, but now it conjures all sorts of terrible images. He catches the first bus home and immediately sees that Poppys fear is real. Ian stalks the flat like a ghost, looks down on Sam, and shouts at Mum:
Your sons here, and you havent even set a table for the men!
Mum only smiles smugly at Ian: Hold on, Ian, everything will be fine.
Sam refuses to drink with the owner of the flat. He retreats to Poppys room, where she now cries tears of relief. He hears Ian mutter to Mum about how badly she raised him, and she mutters something frightened back.
In a couple of days Sam is convinced Poppy isnt making it up. Ian runs the house like a drill sergeant, trying to give Sam orders, which Sam snaps back at.
Dont tell me how to run my own home!
Ah, Ian growls threateningly. Your son doesnt see me as a person. Explain that to him.
Son, whats the big fuss about? Mum rushes in. Ian is also on the register you all should find a way to live together
Did you register him? Sam repeats, stunned. Mum never imagined this step.
And why? Does Ian have to be a total freeloader? she whispers, glancing at Ian.
Hes forty he should have his own place!
While they argue, the front door slams. Evidently Ian, offended, storms out. Mum flinches, ready to chase after him, but Sam holds her back.
Mum, whats happening? he asks, trying to meet her eyes. Is he feeding you something? Should we see a doctor?
What do you know? Mum bursts into tears. Maybe for the first time in my life Ive fallen in love! And Ian loves me! You think its easy living without a husband? she sobs.
Sam feels torn. He feels sorry for Mum, for Poppy, and for himself he cant abandon them both. His university studies teeter on the brink of collapse.
The most pressing problem is getting rid of Uncle Ian. Pleas and lectures wont move Mum; its as if Ian has brainwashed her.
Sam turns to the internet for answers.
Either you kick him out yourself or Ill take legal action, he declares.
What court, love? Ian lives here legally, Mum replies, just as firmly.
Well see. You registered him when I was a minor, and now everythings changed. Think about it, Sam says, not backing down.
Ian, clearly not wanting a courtroom scandal, moves out two days later.
Mum now watches Sam with tearfilled eyes, then brightens a little and starts disappearing around the house, apparently having made peace with her new lover.
Sam switches to distance learning and lands a job back in his hometown. He hopes Mum will come to her senses, and for now he keeps an eye on things, just in case anything else goes wrong.
