Dont get involved, this is my life, Poppy snaps. You live off my money while Im scrambling through gaps! Youre both my grandma and my mumcould you ever actually help?
The absurdity is that Poppy is sitting at the kitchen table in her mothers flat at this very moment. Valerie has thrown together a quick but decent spread: ham and cheese sandwiches, thick slices of cheddar, a few pieces of smoked salmon, and fresh rolls from the bakery down the road. A bowl of fruitgrapes, pomegranate, mandarinssits on the side. No pineapples or exotic berries, but its a respectable offering.
Her grandson, Leo, watches cartoons in the living room in the little outfit his grandmother bought him a couple of days ago.
Poppy, stop spoiling the comedy, Valerie says, a hint of irritation in her voice. I dress your son, put shoes on his feet, drive him to his earlylearning classes, even buy his medicines. Hes completely dependent on me. And you still want more?
Poppy huffs. Well, hes your grandson, isnt he? Who else would it be? Dave and I cant even figure out where the next pound comes from. Mortgages, council tax, the nursery after all that, theres barely enough left for bread and pasta.
And what does that have to do with me? Did I take out the loans for you? Did I force you to have children? Did I make you sell the flat? You told me not to meddle, so I havent. Now you expect me to owe you something?
Mom! Poppy frowns. Look at how we live! I cant even do my own nails because Ive run out of polish. My shoes are falling apart; if I step in a puddle, my feet are soaked and I get sick. Dave has only one decent shirt left. Were not living, were just surviving. And now you think you can teach me a lesson! Its easy for you, with your daily salmon breakfast!
Valerie listens, pursing her lips. Yes, shes partly at faultshe loves Poppy a little too fiercely. But fixing things isnt about throwing money at the problem; its about facing the consequences.
Poppy, havent I given you enough in life? Valerie asks, squinting. You had everything. You wanted a touchscreen phone when everyone else still used buttonsyou got it. You asked for a mink coatwe bought it. I provided a home. Youre no longer a little girl; you have to fend for yourself.
Poppy puffs up in indignation and turns away, just like when she was a child and didnt get the next toy because there was no room left in the house.
Valerie remembers young Poppy racing around the flat in a new tracksuit studded with sequins. A brandnew computer sat in her room, a box with a camera hidden in the wardrobea New Years gift. Poppys whims changed faster than the pounds exchange rate. One day she wanted to be a photographer, the next a hairdresser, then an actress. Valerie could barely keep up, opening her wallet and signing her up for extra lessons.
Let the girl enjoy herself. You only have childhood once, Paul, Valeries husband, would say with a chuckle.
Paul is a retired army officer, a respected figure in their neighbourhood. His pension lets the family live comfortably. Valerie also works, mainly for the love of it. She could have stayed home, but she prefers to be out there, useful to the community.
I want to try wool felting! Poppy declares after watching a YouTube video.
Valerie takes her to a craft shop, hands her a basket, and after half an hour its brimming with yarn. Other parents might have given her just a couple of skeins and the cheapest needles, but Valerie believes wholeheartedly that nurturing her daughters talents is sacred. They have the means, so why not?
Poppy grabs each new hobby with enthusiasm, only to drop it a few weeks later for something else. It embarrasses Valerie, but she trusts that her daughter is simply experimenting. Poppy, meanwhile, gets used to having everything at the click of a button.
When Paul passes away, Valerie is left alone. She mourns him, yet she knows the ground beneath her feet is still solid. Pauls savings were sizeable; the interest from his investments could have kept them afloat, but Valerie works until health problems force her to slow down.
Poppys conscience is clear. She pays for her daughters university course in Manchester, buys a onebed flat in a new development, and renovates it beautifully. Valerie feels shes finally ticked all the boxes of a good mum. Ive given her everything she needs to start, she decides. Ill help while she studies, then shell be on her own.
But things dont go as planned.
Poppy just starts her second year when she tells Valerie she has a boyfriend. Dave also has an iPhonethough not the latest modeland no spare cash. Both come from relatively welloff families, but theyre cheeky and clueless about daytoday responsibilities.
Poppy, finish your studies first, Valerie says after Poppy introduces Dave. If you want to live together, go ahead, but dont rush. Get a qualification, stand on your own two feet, then think about a family.
Mom, stay out of it, Poppy retorts, frowning. This is my life.
Valerie respects the request, yet life soon veers away from Poppys expectations.
At first everything seems lovely. They live in Poppys flat; Valerie covers the council tax and sends pocket money for food and clothes. The young couple just enjoys life, bingewatching series and strolling out until dawn.
Dave soon drops out of university, claiming he sees no point.
I enrolled because my parents wanted me to, he says. Now its just a waste of time. Im not going down that path.
A short while later, Poppy also quits her course. Not for noble reasons, but because shes pregnant.
Mom, Im pregnant, she tells Valerie over the phone. Dave and I have decided. Ill take a break from studies, maybe do a parttime job, and well see what happens.
Valerie sighs, covers her face with a hand, then steadies herself. Alright, if youve decided, go ahead.
Will you help us? Poppy asks, hopeful.
Ill help my grandson. You two are adults now. Youve got more than I did at your age. Sort it out yourselves, Valerie replies, though inside she feels a knot tightening.
A tense silence follows.
Right thats clear enough, Poppy mutters, hangs up, and the drama begins. She complains about a broken fridge, a wornout jacket, low iron levels from poor diet. Valerie only reacts to the last, and only because it concerns the babys health.
The grandson shouldnt suffer because his parents are fools, she mutters while lugging grocery bags.
Then Poppy drops another bomb.
Weve decided to sell the flat and get a twobed house.
Poppy think it over. The baby will still be with you, Valerie warns.
No, Mum. Weve made up our minds. We want a wedding, a honeymoon, everything proper.
Valerie grits her teeth but doesnt intervene.
Money slips through their fingers: a wedding with a banquet and photographer, the latest iPhones, laptops, a Turkish holiday, a deposit on the mortgage. The young couple even takes out loans.
Mortgage payments balloon. More debts pile up. Soon Poppy complains shes short on cash before the month ends. Valerie still feeds the grandsonpowders, purees, nappiesall of which hes been using at her house for the past six months.
Dave gets a job as a camera operator and does courier work on the side. Ill try remote work too, well manage. Can you look after Leo for a while? Poppy asks.
Valerie agrees, but only minimally. The child has everything he needs. For the adults, she can only offer advice, which theyre unlikely to heed.
Poppy looks out the window, then turns to her mother.
If you dont help, Ill take Leo away, she threatens. And youll never see him again.
Valerie laughs, though anxiety gnaws at her.
Fine, lets see how fast you get fired and what youll survive on. At least youve got enough for nursery fees, right?
Poppy snarls, breathing heavily, unable to argue. In a few days shell have to return to her mother, hand stretched out, because another bill is due.
You had everything, Valerie continues. Im not to blame for you blowing it all. And you want to drag Leo and me down with you? No. Grow up and manage yourselves.
Poppy doesnt finish her sandwich. She stands, grabs her coat, and walks out. Valerie doesnt try to stop her.
When the door closes, Valerie slips quietly into the living room. Leo sleeps on the sofa, clutching a plush owl pillow. She switches off the TV so he wont wake. For his sake Id move mountains, she thinks, but for the two of them let life be the teacher.
