Violet never leaves a door unopened. If someone hides something from her, shell sniff it out, grab it and give a proper pieceofmind. She can get at anyone, any time.
James, where did you put my slippers?
In the left pocket.
Theyre not here, Poppy said, poking around the pocket.
Come on, look again.
Nope, still not.
James and Poppy were heading off to stay with Poppys mum today. Violet, Poppys motherinlaw, knew they were going, but they were thrilled to discover that shed be out. The inspector whod normally check the suitcases had gone off to meet a friend, so they thought they were in the clear.
Fine, well manage without them. Mum will have a spare pair somewhere. Weve got to get going, James said.
Just then Violet walked in, eyes scanning the hallway where two suitcases sat like a small robbery scene.
Where are you off to? she asked, dropping a heavy grocery bag on the nightstand.
Poppy, busy tying the laces on threeyearold Jacks shoes, gave James a chance to chat with his mum.
We told you, mum, James started, Poppy mentioned yesterday were flying to Australia for a week to see her mum. We want Jack to meet his second grandma hes three now and still only knows her from photos.
Poppy lifted Jacks hood and added, Ive missed my mum, and itll be good for Jack to have a change of scenery and meet his grandma. Shes keen to see her grandson too.
Violet recalled hearing something about a visit, but shed assumed Poppy would go alone.
Well, you could just videocall, Violet said. No, that wont do. You warned me, but I thought youd travel without Jack. Im fine letting James off, but Jack is too little for such a long trip. Youre taking my grandson abroad without my sayso. That sort of thing should be discussed first.
Theyd talked earlier; she just hadnt listened.
James squeezed Poppys elbow as she tried to reply, then jumped in. Whats there to argue about, mum? Were not sending him to space. Well be there a week, see the family, and be back straight away. Weve already mentioned it.
I dont see any need to whisk a child that far, Violet replied.
Its about seeing my mum, Poppy snapped, not as delicate as James but willing to stand up for herself.
Hell grow up and well meet later, James said.
Were leaving now, Poppy said.
Violet seemed impenetrable.
Australia? Your mum lives there, right? She got married there? No matter, I cant approve that. Its so far! What if Jack falls ill? Do you have a good doctor there? Here Jack sees Dr. Anne Simmons, a trusted GP Ive known for years. In a foreign land youd end up with the first bloke who offers a consultation. No, you both go, but Jack stays with me.
Theyd been through that dance countless times. It felt like Violet didnt even trust Jack.
Take the suitcases and go, she wont stop you, James thought.
Poppy tried one more time. Violet, were not newborns! My mum knows a lot of doctors; she worked in a hospital herself. Well call you every day, send photos, and be back in a week. Dont make a tragedy out of this.
James echoed, Yes, mum, dont worry. Weve got it under control. If anything goes wrong well tell you straight away and come back.
Violet fell silent for a beat, then through clenched teeth said, Fine. But you must call every day and Ill want to chat with Jack myself. If anything goes awry, you come back immediately!
They hurried out, eager to leave the danger zone.
The flight went smoothly. Jack threw a little tantrum at the start but soon behaved like a champ. Poppy, however, looked exhausted.
Why the long face? You tired? her mum asked, handing her a towel for the dishes. The guests had all gone, drinks were finished, and James and Jack were fast asleep.
Just feeling a bit down, Poppy sighed.
Mum, how did you ever get on with your motherinlaw? she asked, almost spilling the plates.
Mum, were like cat and dog, Poppy laughed. We get along on the surface, no big fights, but theres always tension. Shes terrified for Jack, she doesnt trust us. If it were up to her, shed raise him herself.
Dont overthink it. Shes probably just struggling to accept a new person. Were both chatty, shes more reserved. If she cares enough to worry about Jack, thats a good sign.
Poppy tried not to argue. Still, a spark for a future clash was always there.
Back in London, Poppy decided to go back to teaching English literature at her old school. She wanted to get out of the house, maybe bond with Violet less if she wasnt stuck at home all day, and the pay would help.
That meant finding a nursery for Jack.
Whats this ad? James asked.
A private nursery. Im looking after Jack there while you work.
Poppy, whod once made Violets famous vinaigrette, facepalmed. Cant just drop him in straight away!
Violet, as usual, reacted instantly. A nursery for a twoyearold? Why not send him straight to work? Hes already big! Wholl look after him? She stared at Poppy as if shed seen a ghost. Its far too early! Hes tiny! Whos going to watch him?
The staff will, Poppy said.
You sent me to a nursery at two, didnt you? James reminded.
No choice! Violet shot back. I raised you alone; I had to work! Times were different then, I was calm. Now who knows whats happening in these private places? Who inspects them? One neighbour turned three flats into a nursery. Whats proper?
Poppy kept quiet, because that was the very nursery they were eyeing.
A long debate followed. Poppy tried to explain that Jack would make friends, learn independence, and that many families do this. James backed her, saying he needed to work and Jack was old enough to enjoy a playgroup.
He needs peers, Poppy said.
He needs his mum! snapped Violet. You should stay with him.
Until when? Till hes eighteen? James retorted.
Until five at least, Violet muttered.
Look, you gave James a nursery at two, I was sent to one at oneandahalf. Did your mum stay with you until school? Violet asked.
Exactly, Poppy replied. Kids were in the street all day, unsupervised. Ill look after Jack myself!
The argument ended with Violet winning. Poppy decided not to go back to work yet and stayed home with Jack. The idea of a job felt far off.
The real challenge wasnt sitting with a child; it was meeting Violets standards.
Poppy, how did you dress him? Hell freeze! Violet shouted.
Its warm outside, Poppy replied.
For a little one? No.
Life turned into a endless loop of instructions, advice, and criticism. Violet controlled everything: what Jack wore, what he ate, when he slept, where they wandered.
One evening, after watching Violet mash a banana for Jack, Poppy snapped.
James, help is great but theres a limit.
Whats happened? he asked.
Mums gone overboard again. She snatched the banana from Jacks hand and gave him mushy banana porridge. He wanted the whole fruit! He can eat it at two, but she wont let him.
Tell her to stop, James said.
She wont listen. We tried living with her, its impossible. We need to move.
I know, love, but if we leave shell never calm down. Shell keep calling, showing up, maybe even staying over. Better to cope here in the flat than in a cramped studio elsewhere.
Then what?
James thought. Lets wait a bit. Jack will grow, shell relax, maybe we can move later.
The situation hardly changed. Violet still held the reins, and Poppy felt trapped. She wanted a normal relationship, but sometimes she imagined just running away. Convincing James was the hardest part.
James, how do those shoes look with this lipstick? Poppy asked.
Friday night, they were set to visit friends who also had a toddler about Jacks age. Poppy was itching for a night out.
Itll be brilliant, James said.
Violet was glued to the telly, bingewatching her favourite BBC drama. She heard the rustle of bags and grew wary.
Mum, were heading to Oliver and Claires, James announced, pulling on his coat. Jack will go too, so he can play with their boy, Nathan.
Great, at least hell meet peers, Poppy whispered.
Violet popped up. Why bring a child? Itll be noisy, lots of people He needs to sleep, not be dragged around at night!
James sighed, bracing for another lecture on proper parenting.
Mum, let him socialize. We cant send him to nursery, so a playdate will do. Plus we need a break.
What are you tired of? Violet asked.
Everything! Poppy blurted.
Dont start, love. Well just take him to the friends, stay until nine, then head home.
Keep calling me! Violet warned. And have him in bed by eight! He needs his sleep!
Poppy, foreseeing a ruined evening, promised to call and be back on time. Jack had a fun time and fell asleep in the playroom, no worse than at home. Night fell, but they lingered.
Violet, as promised, kept checking the clock. She called repeatedly. James, not wanting to ruin the night, finally switched his phone off.
James, please, just one night, Poppy pleaded before the phone died. I remembered what lifes supposed to feel like.
Im not heading back just yet. Jacks asleep. Lets stay a bit longer. Mum will survive one night.
Morning started badly. Violet, ignoring them, ate breakfast alone in her bedroom.
Mum, are you really that upset? James asked.
Did someone say something? she snapped, pushing James away.
Total silence.
Poppy didnt feel the need to apologise. Theyd seen friends once in a while, Jack was fine. Then strangers arrived. James opened the door; two women in neat suits stepped in.
Good afternoon, one said, flashing an ID. Were from Childrens Services. We need to inspect the living conditions.
James tried to block them, Poppy was about to protest, but Violet shouted, Its my flat, let them in! You have no idea how scared I am for my grandson. Theyre taking kids around, feeding them poorly, kids dont sleep
The officers listened politely, asked a few questions, and toured the flat with Jack in tow.
Everything looks fine, the senior officer concluded. You might want to consider some calming tea, dear.
When they left, Poppy lost it. James, hold me, otherwise I wont survive this!
James grabbed her shoulders. Did they really file a report because we ate at friends house for an evening? What if they start picking apart everything?
Violet, still fuming, declared, I did everything right. Youre both irresponsible. Theyll take Jack and Ill become his guardian. Hell finally have a proper life, not your drunken evenings! I love him, you just want to dump him somewhere.
Are you serious? Poppy asked.
Yes! Violet insisted.
Poppy scooped Jack up and marched to the bedroom. James, pack your things. Were leaving this place.
Poppy Mum was frantic yesterday, she slipped up on nerves
Poppy said nothing more about her motherinlaw. Im moving to Manchester. My dads flat there is empty. You coming with us or staying with her?
James said nothing.
Poppy gave him an hour, then left. She packed the essentials for Jack, called her dad and told him they were on their way. James never replied.
A week later, Poppy and Jack stood on the Manchester platform. Theyd settled in. As they were about to meet someone, a stranger rushed from behind and covered Poppys eyes.
James! she gasped, turning to see a bouquet of roses.
Sorry, he whispered, I finally got it. I realised you were right. Mum she cant live without us, but I cant live without you.
