Sam always feels like a wallflower in his Year10 class. He isnt trying to blend into the wallpaper; hes smart, goodlooking, and could attract compliments if anyone actually looked. Yet the class ignores him, forming cliques while Sam fits into none. No one bullies him, but he never gets a friend either.
His routine is solitary: the school canteen, the classroom, then home. He doesnt really want to mingle, until she arrives.
A new girl joins the form.
Her background is fragmented: no parents, she lives with a grandmother who hardly cares. Shes also a loner, but unlike Sam she seems withdrawn.
When Sam sees her, the world, which has been grey, suddenly bursts into colour. He falls in love at first sight.
Hi, he says, walking to her desk after lessons. He never expected to approach anyone; his classmates stare as they leave the classroom.
Poppy closes her textbook, looks up.
Hi, she replies.
Im Sam. And you are? he stammers, realizing this isnt how you win a girl.
Im Poppy, she says.
He asks how shes finding the class. Hes noticed she handed in a blank maths paper. She says its strange, shes behind but will catch up.
Its hard to ask for help, she admits, standing up.
Sam says he understands, not very social either, but if she needs anything she can ask. He knows the school well, meaning he does okay academically.
She smiles. Their friendship begins.
Sam finally feels a purpose at the boring school, starts not only befriending Poppy but gently courting her. He helps with maths, literature, even covers for her in PE.
Poppy, youre so clever! she says, leaning over her notebook. How do you get it? The teacher explained everything and I still didnt get a thing. I couldnt finish school without you.
She exaggerates, but Sam enjoys the flattery.
Its just a matter of knowing the right formula. Youll learn soon.
I just isnt as quick as you.
Its not a race. The important thing is you understand. If not, Ill explain again, a hundred times if needed.
In Year11 Sam plans to confess when the moment is right, but the moment never arrives. Poppy, gaining confidence, starts drifting toward other classmates. She gets along with everyone, a new talent emerges.
Sam is happy for her success, but feels a pang of jealousy.
While Sam thinks of ways to win her back, Poppy starts seeing Jack. Jack is loud, always at the centre of attention. Poppy begins to orbit him, and Jack quickly assesses the situation.
Sam watches Poppy move her seat next to Jack.
One day in the park, while Jack is off with his mates, Sam asks, Poppy, whats going on with Jack? You didnt come yesterday like we planned
Im sorry, we got carried away. Sam, I think Im in love.
Sam freezes, then asks, Is he a good guy? He doubts because hes known Jack since primary school.
Yes, hes easy to get along with.
Is it hard with me?
Poppy looks at him oddly. Sam, youre my best friend. Its different with friendsalways easy. With a boyfriend its always complicated, but with Jack its simple. I think well make it work.
Sam understands. He remains a friend, his best friend, but just that.
School ends. The carefree days of seeing Poppy every day vanish. Poppy now dates Jack, occasionally meeting Sam in the park.
Jack and Poppy marry quickly. Sam attends the wedding, playing the part of the friend to the end. He smiles, congratulates, poses for countless photos. He wonders why they rushed.
Later hes told Poppy is pregnant, soon. The reason hits Sam hard: responsibility, fatherhood, a desire for stability.
He realises theres nothing left for him to catch. He tries dating, goes to university parties, but no one compares to the image of Poppy, even the version of her living a different life.
Poppys married life turns bleak. She lives in Jacks mother Ingas house; Inga quickly establishes herself as the ruler. Poppy becomes a servant.
Its mine, Inga says when Poppy reaches for a sweet.
Can I have one? Poppy asks.
Fine, have one, Inga replies.
Poppy, who only knew her grandmother, now faces this new reality.
She gives birth on schedule, but Inga refuses to let her rest.
When will you start work? You eat for two but refuse to work, Inga snaps, This isnt a restaurant or a shelter. Everyone must earn.
Where will I leave Charlie? Inga retorts, I raised my own. Now you raise yours.
She expects Poppy to juggle night shifts and childcare while Jack stays drunk, absent.
Jack spends weekends drinking with his mates, leaving wife and mother to fend for themselves.
Liza, what can I do? Women understand each other Poppy often has no one to talk to. Sam tries to keep in touch, but even he struggles to reach her.
Years pass, wrinkles appear, scars remain in souls.
Sam is now twentyfive, his career is solid, his love life still barren. He remains the same solitary, now more mistrustful.
He sees Poppy rarely; meeting her alone feels like a Christmas miracle because her motherinlaw is always present.
At a bus stop he bumps into her.
Poppy! he calls.
They havent spoken in almost a year.
Sam. How long has it been? she says.
Almost a year
Time flies.
He asks, How are you? Hows life, work? She replies shallowly, Fine, as you can see.
He notices a faint bruise on her cheek under makeup.
Did Jack do that? he asks.
She snaps, Thats none of your business, Sam.
He feels helpless; nothing he does reaches her.
Goodbye, she says, walking away.
Back home she wipes off her makeup, the bruise fully visible. She looks at herself, no longer recognising the girl she once was.
What has become of me? she whispers.
Her motherinlaw bursts in, shrieking, Who did you see today? How many times will I have to cover for you in front of my son? You know what happens if you tell him!
Poppy stammers, Sam we were school friends
The motherinlaw retorts, Ah, the Sam you used to run to the park with. Still the same. Jack tolerates you because of you
The tension builds.
Inga announces theyre moving to a village, saying the city flat is expensive and a house would be cheaper.
Finally, Jack says, indifferent.
No one asks Poppy.
Before they leave, Poppy secretly meets Sam, who looks at her as if at a funeral.
Poppy, this is a huge mistake. The move will trap you. Where are you going? Sam pleads.
You dont understand, Sam. No one asked me.
The choice is always yours, he says, but its often hard.
She asks, Who am I to anyone but them?
He replies, Me. Stay. Move in with me. You, Charlie, and me.
She doesnt.
In the village the house lacks comforts. No familiar faces. Jack continues his drinking, returning home like a wilted lemon.
Inga intensifies her control, ordering Poppy to slice sausage, peel potatoes, vacuum, and more.
Charlie, their son, mimics his fathers habits.
Charlie, clean up! Poppy demands after a spilled tea.
Do it yourself, he retorts.
Poppy hopes Jack will discipline him, but Jack smiles, Right, son. Be strict.
The cycle repeats.
One night Inga confronts a battered Jack, Youve driven my son mad!
Jack remains drunk.
Poppy stays silent.
Charlie grows, becoming a mirror of his fathera twentyyearold with no job, drifting, drinking.
He asks his mother for money, Dad said I need £5.
Poppy sighs, Will you and your dad ever work?
Show me a decent job, he says.
Tension explodes; Poppy feels shes losing her mind.
She finally decides to leave for the city, to find Sam.
She arrives at Sams address, sits on a bench until dark, too scared to ring the doorbell. A voice from inside says, Well visit in two days. Sams mother bids farewell, holding a beautiful womans hand.
Poppy realises hope is gone;As the darkness settled over the quiet village, Sam finally accepted that some chapters end irrevocably, and the future he once imagined for Poppy would never unfold.
