IS IT REALLY THE ORCHID’S FAULT? “Polly, take this orchid or else I’ll throw it out,” Kate said, carelessly lifting the clear pot from the windowsill and handing it to me. “Oh, thanks, darling! But what’s wrong with this orchid?” I asked in confusion, noting the three thriving, beautiful orchids next to it. “It was a wedding gift to my son. And you know how that marriage ended…” Kate sighed heavily. “I know your Dennis divorced before the first anniversary. I won’t ask why—I can guess it was serious. He adored Tanya,” I didn’t want to reopen Kate’s wounds. “I’ll tell you one day, Polly, but for now it’s too painful,” Kate said, turning away with tears in her eyes. I brought home the “outcast,” the “forsaken” orchid. My husband looked at the poor flower with pity: “What do you need that stunted plant for? Even I can see there’s no life in that orchid. Don’t bother.” “I want to try to revive it. I’ll give it love and care. You’ll see—you’ll fall for this orchid yet,” I promised, determined to breathe life into the wilted plant. He winked playfully: “Who could turn down love?” A week later, Kate called: “Polly, can I come round? I need to talk—can’t keep carrying this burden. I want to tell you everything about Dennis’s failed marriage.” “Just come, Katya. I’ll be waiting,” I couldn’t say no to my friend; she’d supported me through my first painful divorce and during rocky times with my current husband… We’d been friends for years. Kate turned up an hour later. Settled comfortably in the kitchen, with a glass of dry wine, a strong cup of coffee, and some dark chocolate, she poured out the whole story. “I never imagined my ex-daughter-in-law was capable of what she did. Dennis and Tanya had been together seven years before marrying. He left Annie for her—a real shame; I always thought Annie was so homely and sweet, I even called her ‘daughter.’ Then Tanya appeared—a real stunner. Dennis was besotted, followed her like a shadow, swooning around her. His love was all-consuming; Annie faded into memory. I admit, Tanya looks like a supermodel. Dennis loved showing her off. They turned heads anywhere they went. Odd, though: not a single child in all those years. Maybe my son wanted to do everything properly: the wedding, then babies. Dennis isn’t one for sharing much, and we never interfered. Then came the big announcement: ‘Mum, Dad, I’m marrying Tanya. We’re booked at the registry, and I’m throwing a wedding to remember. No expense spared.’ My husband and I were over the moon. Dennis was turning thirty—it was about time he had a proper family. But the wedding date got postponed—twice! Illness, work trips; everything seemed jinxed. But Dennis glowed with happiness, so I kept my worries to myself. Even the church ceremony he wanted—no luck! Father Stanley was called back to his home parish and Dennis only wanted him. It was all hurdles and setbacks, signals everywhere… But in the end, we had the big wedding—look, here’s a photo. See the orchid? Blooming, magnificent! The leaves were upright as soldiers. Now? Just limp scraps. Then Dennis and Tanya planned a honeymoon to Paris—but were stopped at the airport. Tanya apparently hadn’t paid a hefty fine and wasn’t allowed abroad. Another disaster. Dennis brushed off every setback, dreamily planning a happy family. Suddenly Dennis fell gravely ill, hospitalised in serious condition. The doctors couldn’t promise anything. Tanya visited for a week before calmly telling him, ‘Sorry, but a disabled husband isn’t for me. I’ve filed for divorce.’ Can you imagine, Polly, what my son felt, lying helpless in a hospital bed? But he quietly replied, ‘I understand, Tanya. I won’t stand in your way.’ They divorced. But then, Dennis recovered, thanks to a skilled doctor. Six months later, he was as good as new—youth is resilient. We befriended Doctor Peter and his lovely daughter, Mary. At first Dennis scoffed, ‘She’s too short. And not exactly pretty.’ I told him, ‘Looks aren’t everything. Your ex was beautiful… it’s better to drink water in happiness than honey in sorrow.’ Dennis couldn’t forget Tanya, though—her betrayal stung him deeply. But Mary adored Dennis, trailing after him like a puppy, calling constantly. We tried to bring them together, took everyone on a trip to the countryside. Dennis moped, immune to crackling fires or delicious barbecue, ignoring Mary’s every glance. I said to my husband, ‘This match won’t work. Dennis still loves Tanya. She’s a splinter in his heart.’ Three, four months passed. One evening Dennis appeared at the door, holding that infamous orchid: ‘Here, Mum—the last relic of old happiness. Do what you will; I don’t want it.’ I accepted the orchid reluctantly; I’d grown to hate it, as though it were to blame for my son’s misery. I shoved it in a corner and neglected it. One day a neighbour remarked, ‘Kate, I saw Dennis with a tiny young lady. Not as tall or glamorous as the last wife.’ Could Dennis really be dating Mary? Later, Dennis beamed, arm around his gentle new wife, ‘Meet Mary—we’re married now.’ My husband and I were shocked. ‘How? No wedding, no guests?’ ‘No need for fuss. We’ve done the big bash already. Quiet registry, and Father Stanley did the blessing. Mary and I are together, for good.’ I pulled Dennis aside, ‘Son, do you love her? Don’t hurt Mary. Is this a rebound?’ ‘No, Mum, I’m not taking revenge on Tanya. I’ve moved on. Mary just… fits my life, perfectly.’ And that’s my story, Polly. Kate poured her heart out. After that heartfelt talk, we didn’t see each other for two years—life got in the way. Meanwhile, the orchid revived and bloomed gloriously—flowers know how to reward care. I ran into Kate at the maternity hospital: ‘Hi, what brings you here?’ ‘Mary just had twins! They’re being discharged today,’ Kate beamed. Nearby stood Dennis and Kate’s husband, waiting, red roses in hand. Then came Mary, tired but glowing, followed by the nurse carrying two tiny bundles. Moments later, my own daughter appeared with my newborn granddaughter… Tanya begs Dennis to forgive her and start again. But you know, Polly—a broken cup can be glued, but you’ll never drink from it the same way…

IS IT REALLY THE ORCHIDS FAULT?

Polly, please take this orchid off my hands or itll find itself in the wheelie bin, Kate declared, not-so-gently lifting a transparent pot with a limp-looking flower from her kitchen window ledge and thrusting it at me.

Oh, cheers, love! But, tell me, what did this poor orchid do to deserve such rejection? I asked, genuinely puzzled. There were three other magnificent, pampered orchids sunning themselves on the sill.

That particular flower was a wedding gift for my son. And, well, you know how all that ended Kate sighed heavily.

I know, your Daniels marriage didnt make it to the first anniversary. I wont prod about the detailsI can hazard a guess. He worshipped Tanya, I replied, not wanting to stir up fresh wounds.

Ill tell you everything one day, Polly. Just not yet, while its all still rather raw, Kate said, drifting into thought and dabbing her eyes.

I took the banished and rejected orchid home. My husband gave it a pitiful look.

Why on earth do you want that sorry specimen? Its as good as dead. Even I can see that. Dont waste your time.

Im going to revive it. With enough love and patience, itll be a showstopper again. Mark my words, I vowed, determined to breathe life into the drooping, half-dead plant.

My husband winked playfully. Cant blame anyone for falling for a bit of love!

A week later, Kate called, her voice just as downcast.

Polly, could I pop round? I cant keep this to myself anymore. I need to tell you about Daniels disaster of a marriage.

Come over, Kate. Dont even think twice. Im here, I assured her. After all, shed helped me through my own traumatic first divorce, my second rocky relationship In short, we had history.

Kate arrived within the hour, settled into a kitchen chair, andaccompanied by a glass of dry wine, proper English tea, and a bar of dark chocolatethe confessional began.

I never wouldve guessed my ex-daughter-in-law could do what she did. Daniel and Tanya lived together for seven years. He had his eye on her forever, ditched Annie for herAnnie, who was such a homey, lovable thing. I called her my second daughter. Then this Tanya, a real head-turner, waltzed in. Daniel went absolutely barmy, following her about like a moth to a flame. His obsession with her was blinding. Poor Annie was shunted aside immediately.

Yes, Tanya looked like she belonged on a magazine cover. Daniel loved the way his mates gawked at her, and strangers would turn their heads, too. Oddly, in seven years, they didnt have any children. I thought, fair enough, he wants to do things properly: wedding first, kids later. Daniels never been one to spill his secrets, and me and my hubby always kept our noses out of his business.

But then he dropped the bombshell: Mum, Dad, Im getting married to Tanya. Weve booked the registry office. Going to have a wedding to outshine Eurovision. No expense spared.

Well, we were delighted. Our boy was finally starting a familyhe was thirty, after all. But, would you believe it, they had to change the wedding date twice! Daniel fell ill, then I got held up in Birmingham on business I had one of those uneasy feelings, like something wasnt quite right, but said nothing. Daniel was so over-the-moon. Why spoil it? He even wanted a church blessing, but the vicar, Father Simon, was off visiting family in Yorkshire. Daniel insisted on him and no one else. Nothing was falling into place. There were warning signs everywhere.

One noisy, happy wedding laterlook, heres a photo. See how grand that orchid looked? Lush, blooming, its leaves upright like soldiers. Now? Its leaves are fit for compost.

Daniel and Tanya planned a Paris honeymoon. But then, disaster! Tanya wasnt allowed to leave the countryshed apparently not paid some colossal parking fines. They were turned back at Heathrow. Daniel didnt care and kept daydreaming about his perfect family.

And then, all at once, Daniel got seriously ill. In hospital for weekstouch and go, the doctors thought. Tanya visited for a week and then dropped this on him: Sorry, but an invalid husbands not for me. Ive filed for divorce.

Imagine how Daniel felt, flat-out in a hospital bed? But he just said, I understand, Tanya. I wont stand in your way.

They split. Butyou wont believe thisDaniel pulled through. We found a wonderful doctor, Dr. Peter Hargreaves, who had him up and about in six months. Said, Hes young, hell bounce back. We got to know the family well, he even has a lovely twenty-year-old daughter, Molly. Daniel wasnt keen at first: Bit of a shrimp, isnt she? Not even pretty.

Give her a chance, son. Beautys skin deep. Youve had a supermodel already Better to drink tea happily than champagne in tears.

Daniel still had Tanya lurking in his heart, but Molly fell head over heels for him, ringing non-stop, following him everywhere. We thought maybe some fresh aird help, so we planned a day in the country. Daniel was glum as British weather, no matter how many sausages we threw on the barbecue or how lively the company was. Molly hung on his every move, but he never glanced her way.

I said to my husband, No point in trying to matchmake, love. Daniels still stuck on Tanya. Shes the splinter in his heart.

A few months went by. Then, out of the blue, Daniel turned up at the door with that infamous orchid.

Heres whats left of my old happiness, Mum. Do what you like with the flower. I dont want reminders.

I accepted it, but, honestly, I went right off itas if the poor plant was responsible for Daniels misfortunes. I shoved it out of sight and didnt bother to water it.

Then I bumped into the neighbour: Kate, saw your Daniel with a tiny slip of a girl. Not as grand as the ex-wife, I must say

I thought, surely notit cant be Daniel and Molly?

But then Daniel appeared, hand-in-hand with Molly. Introducing Mrs and Mrs Daniel Morris. We got hitched. He looked happier than Id ever seen.

Wait, what about the big wedding? The fuss?

Had enough of thatjust did it quietly at the registry office. Father Simon gave us a blessing. Were properly together now.

I pulled Daniel aside: Son, do you love this girl? Are you just getting revenge on Tanya? Think before you hurt Molly.

Its not revenge, Mum. Im over her now. Molly and I just click. Its real.

So thats the story, Polly.

Kate poured her heart out till there was nothing left to say.

After that cathartic kitchen confessional, we somehow lost touch for almost two yearslife got busy, as it does. Meanwhile, the orchid thrived, surprising me with a spectacular bloom. Flowers really do know how to say thank you for a bit of care.

Then, by chance, Kate and I ran into each other at the hospital.

Alright, love, what are you doing here? I asked with a grin.

Mollys just had twins! Were taking them home today, Kate beamed.

In the waiting area, Daniel stood with his father, arms full of red roses, glowing with pride. Molly emerged, looking exhausted but radiant, trailed by a nurse carefully carrying two tiny, wriggling bundles.

And then there was my own daughter and her newborn granddaughter, ready to come home as well.

Apparently, Tanyas pleading with Daniel to forgive her, to start overblaming it all on female weakness.

But, as every Englishwoman knows, you can glue a teacup back together, but youll never want to drink out of it again.