Is the Orchid Really to Blame? —Polly, take this orchid or I’m throwing it out, Katya said carelessly, handing me the clear pot from the windowsill. —Oh, thanks, love! But what’s so wrong with this orchid? I wondered aloud, seeing she still had three lush, healthy orchids left. —This one was given to my son for his wedding. You know how that turned out… Katya sighed heavily. —I know Denis divorced less than a year in. I won’t ask why; I can imagine it was something serious. Denis adored Tanya, after all, I didn’t want to pick at Katya’s still-fresh wound. —I’ll tell you the reason for the divorce someday, Polly. But for now, it’s hard to talk about, Katya sniffed, lost in thought. I took the “banished” and “rejected” orchid home. My husband looked at the wilted flower with a sympathetic frown. —Why this little wretch? There’s no life in it. Even I can see that. Don’t waste your time. —I want to bring it back to life. I’ll give it love and care. You’ll soon see how beautiful it can be, I insisted, determined to “breathe” life into the drooping plant. My husband winked mischievously: —Who could turn down a bit of love? A week later, Katya rang up: —Polly, may I visit? I can’t carry this burden. I want to tell you everything about Denis’s failed marriage. —Of course, Katya, come round. I could never say no to my friend. Katya had once supported me through divorces and hard times; our friendship went back years. Katya arrived in an hour. She settled in the kitchen, and over a glass of dry wine, a cup of fresh coffee, and some dark chocolate, she began a long, heartfelt tale… I Never Thought My Ex-Daughter-in-law Could Do This: An Orchid’s Journey Through a Wedding, a Sudden Divorce, and the Blossoming of New Love — A Story of Friendship, Family, Betrayal, and Healing in the Heart of England

IS THE ORCHID TO BLAME?

Polly, take this orchid with you or Ill just throw it out, Kate said carelessly, lifting the clear pot from the windowsill and pressing it into my hands.

Oh, thank you, love! But whats the poor orchid done to offend you? I was puzzled, gazing at her other three well-tended, glorious orchids still crowding the windowsill.

That flower was a wedding gift for my son. And, well, you know how it ended… Kate sighed deeply.

I know your Daniel divorced not even a year in. I wont ask why; I can guess it was something serious. He absolutely worshipped Tessa, I didnt want to prod Kates ache, not when the wound was still so fresh.

Ill tell you all about it someday, Polly. For now, its just too raw. Kate grew quiet, and her eyes shone with tears.

At home, I carried the abandoned and rejected orchid to our sitting room. My husband gave it a sympathetic look.

Why do you want that shrivelled thing? Even I can see its got no life left. Dont waste your time.

I want to bring it round. Give it a little of my love. Just you wait, one day youll admire this orchid, I replied, my resolve firm to revive that limp and faded flower.

He grinned, giving me a conspiratorial wink. Who ever says no to a bit of love?

A week later, Kate phoned.

Polly, can I come round? I cant keep this all bottled up. I need to tell you everything about Daniels dreadful marriage.

Come over, Katie, right now. Im here for you. There was no questionI owed this friend more than I could repay: shed helped when I was reeling after my first divorce, and stood by me when my second marriage faltered. Ours was an old, tried-and-true friendship.

She arrived within the hour. In the kitchen, she settled in with a glass of dry wine, a proper coffee, and some rich dark chocolate as a long tale began to unravel.

Never in my dreams did I think mywell, now exdaughter-in-law was capable of what she did. Daniel and Tessa lived together for seven years. He broke things off with Anna for her. And I adored Anna. Such a warm, homey girlI used to call her daughter. Then along came beautiful Tessa. Daniel lost his mind, honestly. He was absolutely besotted, fluttered around her like a bee round a flower. He stopped seeing Anna in an instant.

Mind you, Tessa is stunning. Daniel enjoyed how his mates whistled and stared when he brought her round, and people in the street would do a double-take. Still, seven years and no children. I thought maybe he wanted to do everything by the book: marriage, then kids. Hes a private lad, and we never interfered.

One evening, Daniel just laid it all out: Mum, Dad, Im marrying Tessa. Weve given notice at the registry, and Im throwing a bash like nothing youve ever seenno expense spared. Well, we were thrilledhe was thirty, after all, high time he settled.

But the wedding date moved twice. First Daniel got poorly, then I was caught up at work. It didnt sit right, somehow. Still, seeing Daniel so happy, I kept my doubts to myself. They wanted a church ceremony too, but Father Peter was away up north. Daniel wouldnt have anybody else do it. So, nothing went smoothlylike fate was putting up signs everywhere.

The big day finally came. Just look at these photossee, the orchid there? In full bloomand now its just limp and tattered.

Theyd booked Paris for their honeymoon. At the airport, Tessa got stoppedsome huge unpaid fine or other meant she couldnt leave. So Daniel and Tessa got sent home. He paid no heed to such troubles; thought only of the future.

And then Daniel fell dangerously ill. Weeks in hospital, the doctors were stumped. Tessa visited every dayfor a week. Then she told him: Sorry, but I cant be with a disabled husband. Ive filed for divorce.

Can you imagine, Polly, what that did to him? Lying there, helpless. But he just replied, I understand, Tessa. I wont stand in your way.

So they split. Daniel eventually recoveredthanks to Dr. Peter Goodwin, who was a real find. Said Daniel was young, his body would fight back. We became close to Dr. Goodwin and his family. Hes got a lovely, twenty-year-old daughter, Mary. Daniel turned his nose up at her at first

Shes tiny, Mum. Not pretty.

I said, Look deeper, son. Looks dont feed you. Didnt your ex have looks enough for ten? Better water in joy than honey in sorrow.

Daniel couldnt forget Tessa, thoughthe bitterness lingered. But Mary adored him, rang and texted constantly, trailed after him everywhere.

So we tried nudging them togethera group trip to the countryside. Daniel trudged along, gloomy as rain, immune to the firelight, the barbecue, the laughter. Mary watched his every move, but he never glanced her way.

I told my husband, We shouldnt have meddled. Daniels still tangled up with Tessashes stuck like a thorn in his heart.

Three or four months passed. Then, suddenly, Daniel was at the door, that infamous orchid in his hands. Here, Mumremnants of old happiness. Do what you want with it. I dont want this foreign thing around.

I took it in, but I couldnt look at it. As if that flower was responsible for my sons pain. I shoved it somewhere out of sight, barely watered it.

Then I ran into a neighbour: Saw your Daniel with that petite girlMary, isnt it? His ex was taller and prettier, though.

I doubted my earswas Daniel really seeing Mary?

He came home, hand in hand with her. Heres my wife, Mum. No big doregistry office, quiet as you like. Father Peter married us. Were together for good now.

I pulled Daniel aside. Do you love her for real? Youre not marrying out of spite for Tessa, are you?

No, Mum. Thats behind me; I hardly recall her name. As for love… Marys world fits mine perfectly.

Thats the story, Polly. Kate had poured her heart out.

After that cathartic evening, we didn’t see one another for two years. Life just rolled on, as it does.

The orchid, meanwhile, revived, blooming as never before. Flowers do have a way of being grateful for a bit of care.

I finally met up with Kate again at the maternity ward.

Hello, love! What brings you here?

Marys had twins. Theyre coming home today. Kate beamed.

There stood Daniel and Kates husband, arms full of red roses.

Soon Mary appearedexhausted but radiantnurse following with two small, sleeping bundles.

My daughter came next, cradling my newborn granddaughter.

Tessa, at last, pleaded with Daniel to forgive her, to start anew.

but you can repair a shattered cup, only it will never hold tea quite the same again.