Enough! Im done lugging you all around like an ox! No more penniesgo feed yourselves! Poppy shouted, slamming the debit card on the kitchen counter.
She pushed open the flats front door and was immediately swallowed by the clatter from the kitchen. Her husband Gareth was chatting with his mother, Mabel. The older woman had turned up early that morning and, as usual, made herself at home in the kitchen.
So, whats the story with the telly? Gareth asked.
Its ancient, Mabel complained. The pictures all fuzz, the sound keeps dropping out. It should have been swapped ages ago.
Poppy slipped off her shoes and slipped into the kitchen. Mabel was perched at the table with a steaming mug, while Gareth fidgeted with his smartphone.
Ah, Poppys here, Gareth said brightly. We were just talking about Mums TV.
Whats wrong with it? Poppy asked, weary.
Its toast. We need a new one, Mabel said.
Gareth put his phone down and looked at his wife.
You always foot the bill for things like this. Get Mum a new set. We dont feel like parting with our own cash.
Poppys hand froze on her coat as she heard him speak as if ordering a loaf of bread.
I dont feel like it either. And you? she asked.
Well, youve got a good job and a decent salary, Gareth replied. Mines a bit tighter.
Poppy narrowed her eyes, as if testing whether he was serious. Gareth wore a smug grin, convinced he was right.
Gareth, Im not a bank, she said slowly.
Oh, come on, he waved her off. Its just one television.
She sat down at the table and replayed the last few months in her head. Who paid the rent? Poppy. Who bought the groceries? Poppy. Who covered the utilities? Poppy again. And the meds for Mabel, who forever whined about her blood pressure and aching knees. And the loan Mabel had taken out for a kitchen remodelshe stopped paying after three months, and Poppy covered that too.
Remember anything? Gareth asked.
I remember whos been footing the bill for this family these past two years.
Mabel interjected, Poppy, youre the lady of the house; it falls to you. Is it really that hard to buy a TV for Gareths mum? Its a family purchase.
For a family? Poppy echoed. And wheres this family when theres money to spend?
Its not like we do nothing, Gareth retorted. I work, and Mum helps around the house.
What help? Poppy asked, baffled. Mabel comes over for tea and a chat about her aches.
Mabel bristled. Just a chat? I give you advice on running a proper household.
Advice about how Im supposed to support everyone?
Who else would? Gareth asked, genuinely surprised. You have a steady job and a decent income.
Poppy stared at her husband. He truly believed it was normal for his wife to bankroll the whole clan.
And what do you do with your money? she pressed.
I save it, Gareth said. Just in case.
For what case?
You never knowcrisis, job loss. You need a safety cushion.
And wheres my cushion?
Youve got a secure job; they wont sack you.
Poppy said calmly, Maybe its time you and your mum decided what to buy and with what money.
Gareth smirked. Why talk like that? You manage money brilliantly, and we try not to load you with extra costs.
Not load me? Heat rose to Poppys cheeks. Gareth, do you really think you arent a burden?
Its not like we ask you to buy something every day, Mabel defended. Only when its really needed.
Is a TV really needed?
Of course! How can you live without a TV? The news, the soaps.
You can stream everything online.
I dont understand the internet, Mabel cut in. I need a proper set.
Poppy saw the conversation circling back to the same old point: they all believed she was obliged to foot the bill while they pinched every penny for themselves.
Fine, she said. Tell me how much this TV costs.
About five hundred pounds for a decent one with smart features, Gareth brightened.
Five hundred pounds, Poppy repeated. Not that much, eh?
Gareth, do you know how much I spend on this family each month?
Um a lot, I guess.
Around eight hundred pounds: rent, food, bills, Mums meds, her loan.
Gareth shrugged. Its family. Thats normal.
And how much do you spend on the family?
Sometimes I buy milk. Bread.
Gareth, you spend at most sixty pounds a month on the family, Poppy calculated. And not even every month.
But Im saving for a rainy day.
Whose rainy day? Yours?
Ours, of course.
Then why is the cash sitting in your personal account and not a joint one?
Gareth fell silent. Mabel quieted too.
Poppy, youre saying the wrong thing, Mabel finally said. My son provides for the family.
With what? Poppy asked, incredulous. The last time Gareth bought groceries was six months ago, and only because I was sick and asked him out.
But he works!
And I work. Yet my salary goes to everyone, and his goes straight to him.
Thats just how it is, Gareth muttered. The woman manages the household.
Managing the household doesnt mean carrying everyone on your back, Poppy retorted.
What do you suggest? Mabel asked.
I suggest everyone supports themselves.
How is that supposed to work? Mabel cried. What about family?
Family means everyone contributes, not one person dragging the rest.
Gareth stared at his wife, bewildered. Poppy, thats a strange way to think. Were husband and wife, we have a joint budget.
Joint? Poppy laughed. A joint budget is when both put money in one pot and spend it together. What do we have? I put money in, you keep yours to yourself.
Not for myselfIm saving it.
For yourself. When moneys needed youll spend it on your own needs, not shared ones.
How do you know?
I just do. Right now your mum needs a TV. You have five hundred pounds set aside. Will you buy it for her?
Gareth hesitated. Well thats my savings.
Exactly. Yours.
Mabel tried to intervene. Poppy, you shouldnt talk to your husband like that. A man should feel like the head of the family.
And the head should support the family, not live off his wife.
He doesnt live off me! Mabel protested.
He does. For two years Ive paid rent, food, bills, your meds, your loan. And Gareth has been stashing his money for personal use.
Its only temporary, Gareth attempted to justify. Theres a crisis, times are tight.
Weve been in a crisis for three years, and each month you shift more costs onto me.
Im not shifting them; Im asking for help.
Help? Poppy let out a short laugh. Did you ever pay the rent in the last six months?
No, but
Did you buy groceries?
Sometimes.
Gareth, buying milk once a month doesnt count as buying groceries.
Alright, I didnt. But I work and bring money into the family.
You bring it in and immediately hide it in your personal account.
Im not hiding it; Im saving for the future.
For your future.
Mabel jumped back in. Poppy, whats gotten into you? You never complained before.
I used to think it was temporary, that youd start pulling your weight soon enough.
And now?
Now I see Im being used as a cash cow.
How can you say that! Gareth exploded.
What else am I supposed to call it when one person supports everyone else and they still expect gifts?
What gifts? The TV is something Mum needs!
If your mum needs a TV, she should buy it, or you should use your savings, Gareth said.
But her pension is small!
And is my salary made of rubberstretchable without limit?
You could afford it.
I could, but I dont want to.
Silence fell. Gareth and Mabel exchanged glances.
What do you mean you dont want to? Gareth asked quietly.
It means Im tired of supporting the family alone.
But were a family; were supposed to help each other.
Exactlyeach other, not one person feeding everyone else.
Poppy stood, realizing they saw her as a moneydispensing machine.
Where are you off to? Gareth asked.
To sort things out.
Without a word, she opened her banking app at the table, blocked the joint debit card Gareth had access to, then transferred all her savings to a new account shed set up a month earlierjust in case.
What are you doing? Gareth asked warily.
Taking care of the finances, Poppy said curtly.
He tried to peek at her screen, but she angled the phone away. Five minutes later, every penny was in her personal account, out of reach from both husband and motherinlaw.
Whats happening? Gareth asked, alarmed.
What should have happened ages ago is finally happening, Poppy replied.
She went into the card settings and permanently revoked everyones access but herself. Gareth stared, bewildered, unable to grasp the scale of it.
Mabel leapt from her chair. What have you done? Well be left without money!
Youll have the money you earn yourselves, Poppy replied calmly.
What do you mean, ourselves? What about the family? What about the joint budget? Mabel shrieked.
We never had a joint budget. There was only my budget, which everyone leached off.
Youve lost your mind! Mabel wailed. Were a family!
In a steady voice, Poppy said, From today we live separately. I am not obligated to fund your whims.
What whims? Gareth objected. These are necessary expenses!
A fivehundredpound TV is a necessary expense?
For Mum, yes!
Then let Mum buy it with her pension. Or you buy it with your savings.
Mabel rushed to her son. Why are you silent? Put her in her place! Shes your wife!
Gareth muttered something unintelligible, avoiding Poppys eyes. He knew she was right but wouldnt admit it.
Gareth, Poppy said quietly, do you really think I should support your whole family?
Well were husband and wife.
Husband and wife means partnership, not a onesided support act.
But my salary is smaller!
Your salary is smaller, but your savings are biggerbecause you never spend them on anything but yourself.
Gareth fell silent again. Seeing Gareth wouldnt pressure his wife, Mabel changed tack.
Poppy, give the money back! Im running out of medication!
Buy it with your own money.
My pension is tiny!
Ask your son. He has savings.
Gareth, give me money for my meds!
His son faltered. Mum, Im saving that for the family.
I am the family! she shouted.
But those are my savings.
You see? Poppy noted. When it comes to spending, everyones money suddenly becomes personal.
Realising the seriousness, Mabel softened. Poppy, lets talk calmly. Youre a kind woman; youve always helped.
I helped until I realised I was being used.
Youre not being usedyoure appreciated!
Appreciated for what? For paying all the bills?
For keeping the family afloat.
Im not supporting a family. Im supporting two adults who can earn their own money.
The next morning Poppy went to the bank and opened a separate account in her name. She printed statements for the past two years, showing every pound spent on Gareth and his motherrent, utilities, groceries, medicines, the loan. It was all on her.
When she got home, she hauled out a large suitcase and began packing Gareths things: shirts, trousers, sockseverything neatly folded.
What are you doing? Gareth asked, returning from work.
Packing your stuff.
Why?
Because you dont live here anymore.
What do you mean, I dont? This is my flat too!
The flat is in my name. I decide who lives here.
But were married!
For now, yes. Not for long.
She rolled the suitcase into the hallway and held out her hand.
The keys.
What keys?
To the flat. All of them.
Gareth, are you serious?
Absolutely.
Reluctantly Gareth handed over the keys. She checked main set and spare.
Does your mother have a set?
Yes, she pops round now and then.
Call her. Have her return them.
Why?
Because Mabel no longer has the right to enter my flat.
An hour later Mabel arrived, her face hardening when she saw the suitcase.
What does this mean? she demanded.
It means your son is moving out.
Moving out where? This is his home!
This is my home. Im done financing freeloaders.
How dare you! Mabel roared.
I dare. Hand over the keys.
What keys?
To the flat. I know you have a spare.
I wont give them back!
Then Ill call the police.
Mabel made a proper scene, screaming that Poppy was destroying the family, that relatives shouldnt be treated like this, that shed always thought her daughterinlaw was a good girl.
The good girl is gone, Poppy said calmly, dialing 999.
Hello, we need assistance. My former relatives refuse to hand over the keys to my flat and to leave the premises.
Half an hour later two officers arrived, checked the paperwork, and said to Mabel, Madam, return the keys and leave the flat.
But my son lives here!
The son does not own the property and has no right to dispose of it.
With witnesses present, Mabel reluctantly grabbed the keys from her bag and tossed them on the floor.
Youll regret this! she shouted as she left. Youll end up alone!
Ill be alone, but with my own money, Poppy replied.
Gareth quietly gathered the suitcase and followed his mother out. At the door he turned back.
Poppy, maybe youll reconsider?
Theres nothing left to reconsider.
A week later Poppy filed for divorce. There was almost no joint property to splitthe flat had always been in her name, and the car was bought with her own cash. Nothing to divide.
Gareth tried calling, begging to meet and promising to change, swearing hed cover all expenses himself.
Too late, Poppy said. Trust doesnt bounce back.
But I love you!
Do you love me or my wallet?
You, of course!
Then why did you live off me for three years without a scrap of remorse?
Gareth had no answer. The divorce was finalised quickly; he didnt contest, recognising how futile it was.
For another month Mabel kept phoningcrying, threatening, begging for medicine money. Poppy listened in silence and hung up.
My blood pressure is high because of you! her motherinlaw complained.
Ask your son to treat you; he has savings.
He says hes sorry to spend the money!
Lovely. Now you understand how I felt for three years.
Six months later Poppy ran into Gareth at the supermarket. He looked tired; his clothes had lost their former crispness.
Hi, he greeted awkwardly.
Hello.
How are you?
Great. And you?
Fine Im living with Mum for now.
I see.
You know, I realised I was wrong. I really dumped too much on you.
You realised?
Yes. Now I pay for all of Mums expenses myself, and I see how hard it is.
But you have savings.
I had. I spent them on Mums meds and repairs to her flat.
And? Does it hurt to spend them?
Gareth paused, then answered honestly, It does. A lot.
Now imagine doing that for three years straight.
It hurts, he admitted. Forgive me.
I already have. But that changes nothing.
What if I try to make it right? Become a different man?
Gareth, you only became different when you were left without my money. Thats not changeits being forced by circumstance.
But Ive learned my lesson!
You learned it only when you had to pay yourself. If Id kept supporting everyone, youd never have seen the impact.
Gareth nodded, knowing she was right.
I must be going, Poppy said, heading for the checkout.
At home she brewed a cup of tea and settled by the window with a book. The flat was quietno one demanding money for TVs, medicines, or anything else. The money in her account was hers alone. No one told her how to spend it.
When she shut the door behind her exhusband six months earlier, Poppy felt lighter than she had in years. Freedom from financial parasites proved worth more than any family tie. Every pound she now spent was a conscious choice, not coerced generosity.
Poppy never again let anyone climb onto her shoulders. She learned to say no without guilt, and money returned to being a tool for her own plans, not a lifeline for freeloaders.
