Poppy, those extra pounds of yoursare they not a concern? my mother, Grace, pressed on, never seeming to tire.
Im quite happy with the way I am, I retorted, especially since my future husband finds me just right. Not everyone has to be a twigthin willowy. Poppy shot a sardonic glance at Eleanor and Grace. Her cheeky tone made Eleanor flare up.
Mother! Have you bought that slimming tea? And chia seeds? Why did you lump so much butter into my porridge? Its those extra kilos! Thomas, have you again bought that sourdough loaf? Its terrible for the figure! You must drink three glasses of water every morning, otherwise the weight wont go away Wheres my water? such admonishments had trailed me since I was a lad.
Grace and my elder sister, Eleanor, were forever fretful about their silhouettes. Eleanor was thirtyeight, never married, and resembled a gaunt, hunchbacked horse with perpetually hungry eyes. Grace, meanwhile, was as straight as a knitting needle. Their perpetual worries wore on me, so I gravitated toward buoyant people with hearty appetites, dreaming that my future wife would be nothing like my mother or sister. And I eventually found her.
Her name waswhats the English equivalent?Olivia, but everyone called her Poppy. Even her name tasted soft and sweet, like a fresh scone. Poppy wasnt overweight, but at a height of five foot eight she weighed about onehundredeightyfive pounds. Those pounds radiated health and good humour. Highcheeked dimples, curvy hips, a slim waist, and a lively sparkle in her eyes made my breath catch the instant I saw her.
One evening I drove my sister to a branch of Barclays for some paperwork. She took a ticket and settled into the waiting chair while I paced the lobby, patient but restless.
Suddenly a tinkling, silverclear laugh drifted to me. It was soft yet contagious, and I couldnt help but grin. I felt an urge to find its source, so I followed the sound.
It came from a young clerk, a vivacious girl attending to an elderly gentleman whod just cracked a joke. She laughed again, and I was unable to look away. Her hair fell in gentle waves, her lips curved in a perpetual smile, and even her posture hinted at confidencesomething my eyes could not miss.
I was riding home with Eleanor, listening to her monotonous chatter, but my mind stayed back in that bank, with the laughing clerk.
Thomas, are you listening? Eleanor snapped.
Of course, Eleanor, Im listening, I forced myself to concentrate, trying to catch the thread of her conversation.
I told him I wont eat fried meat, only boiled chicken breast, she complained about her latest suitor. I nodded sympathetically, tapping my tongue as if to say, What a scoundrel
The next day, near evening, I hurried back to the bank. The object of my desire was still there, and I let out a relieved sigh. After the closing hour, I retrieved a bouquet of roses from the car and made my way to the clerk.
Miss, do you need a husband, or perhaps a son for your mother? I blurted, then extended the roses. My face must have looked bewildered and foolish, because she burst into a bright laugh and accepted the flowers.
Goodness, theyre beautiful! How they smell! she breathed, burying her face in the blossoms, inhaling their perfume while I watched her, enraptured.
From then on we were inseparable. Sometimes you meet someone and instantly know theyre the one, and nothing else matters. Thats what happened with me and Poppy. After a month of courting I proposed, and she gladly accepted. All that remained was to meet the families.
Poppys parents welcomed me with a table laden with pies, cakes, laughter, and chatter. Her mother, a strikingly beautiful woman named Natalie, smothered me with kisses on both cheeks, leaving me utterly flustered. Her father, Ian, clapped me on the shoulder like an old mate and ushered us into the kitchen.
Stay away from the women, theyll wear you out, he warned, chuckling. But dont worry, Natalie is a calm soulshes been my rock for thirty years. And Poppy? Shes a diamond. Look after her, lad. Ians eyes twinkled as he spoke.
We lingered at the table for hours, eating heartily, roaring with laughter over old anecdotes. Later Ian pulled out his guitar, and the whole family sang along in chorus. I felt an odd comfort, as if Id belonged there all my life.
Three days later we visited my own parents. On the way we stopped at a boutique confectionery, where Poppy bought a tray of handcrafted eclairs for the ladies. By five oclock that evening we were at my family home.
Grace opened the door, eyes widening at the sight of Poppy. She stood there, mouth agape, clutching the doorframe.
Mum, I love you too. Shall we step inside together? I whispered, and we slipped past the threshold.
Of course, love. Come in, come in And you must be Poppy, yes? Grace gathered herself, scanning Poppy from head to toe.
Yes, Im Poppy! Delighted to meet you. She offered her hand to Grace, who shook it politely while my mother, Eleanor, remained rooted in surprise.
Dad, Eleanor, Mum, this is Poppy, my fiancée. Weve filed the notice and the weddings set. Heres my familyEleanor, Grace, and my dad, Michael. I introduced her to everyone.
The announcement of our wedding sent a ripple through the room; the silence that followed was broken only by the clink of cutlery.
Poppy, were thrilled to have you in the family. Do you have a bottle of something special? my dad, Michael, ventured, trying to lighten the mood. Perhaps a little something for the girls?
No, thank you, we dont eat sweets at night, Grace replied, pushing a box of desserts away with a faint grimace.
Dont mind her, well open itsee whats inside. Im sure Poppy wont bring any trouble, my dad laughed boisterously.
Soon the table was set with chocolate truffles, light canapés, and a chilled bottle of English sparkling wine. We popped the cork, toasted, and a brief, awkward hush fell again.
Mum, Ive just met Poppys parentstheyre wonderful. Youll like them, I said, trying to fill the silence. Poppy stared into her glass, while Eleanor fixed her gaze on Poppy. My dad launched into a joke, and everyone chuckled, easing the tension.
Poppy, dont worry, Ive a wonderful specialist who can sort you out, my mother blurted suddenly.
A problem? Poppy asked, puzzled. I have none.
Then why all the fuss about those extra pounds? Grace persisted.
I dont think I have any excess, Poppy replied dryly, especially since my future husband finds me perfect. Not everyone needs to be a twig. She shot a mocking glance at Eleanor and Grace, which made Eleanors face flare.
Youve got twenty extra pounds, dearunhealthy, even. When you have a baby, I cant imagine what will happen Eleanor warned.
When I have a child, Ill look even prettier, and my husband and I will be happy. And you, Eleanorare you sure a woman as slender as you should have a handsome husband and at least a pair of kids? Poppy retorted, taking a bite of a cake.
Eleanor swallowed hard, ready to launch a rebuttal, but Michael intervened, pouring more wine and raising his glass.
Heres to the women of this familydifferent, yet all beloved! he declared.
Later, around two in the morning, we stepped outside, looked at each other, sighed in unison, and burst into laughter.
Its funny, I never expected my future motherinlaw to call me plump, Poppy admitted.
Poppy, love, youre gorgeous and you know it. As for your mother and sisterlet them be. Relatives are what they are; you cant choose them.
The wedding was set for 25August. The day arrived, and friends and relatives gathered at the register office, later moving to a riverside restaurant.
Poppy shone in a stunning gown that highlighted her graceful figure. I could not take my eyes off her. Her mother, Natalie, matched her daughters elegance, while my own mother, Grace, looked a touch like a stern, compact housewife in a plain dress. Eleanor, my sister, was a younger replica of Grace.
Music swelled, and we took to the floor for our first dance. We twirled under the soft melody, oblivious to everything elsejust the two of us, the world narrowed to our own little bubble.
A disgruntled voice piped up from my mother:
Honestly, the bride could shed a few pounds; that dress is unforgiving.
As the saying goes, Words once spoken cant be taken back, and Natalie, feeling a sting, tried to quiet herself, but it was too late.
By the way, most men dont chase after thin frames; they prefer vibrant, healthy women. Your son, by the way, is one of them, Natalie declared, hands on her hips, pressing forward.
The women glared at each other for a moment, tension crackling, until my father, Ian, broke it up.
Ladies, enough! Im stealing my own wifeNatalie, may I have this dance? He took Natalies hand, and they spun around the floor, the music roaring, faces alight with joy.
The night marched on with laughter, dancing, and the promise that the newlyweds would build a life together, thriving and content.
After all, isnt that what matters most?
