Susan Archer had long ago transferred all her property to her daughter, Poppy, so that little Poppy wouldnt have to argue over the inheritance later. That way my dear wont have to split the family fortune, Susan declared to her new daughterinlaw with a flourish, as if she were unveiling a masterpiece. Now, however, Susan seemed a touch uneasy.
Nell, the young bride, quickly realised that Susans affection was a scarce commodity. It wasnt surprising Susan only ever loved herself and Poppy, her younger sisterinlaw and the younger sibling of her sons husband, Andrew.
Susan had never been fond of the father of her children, who had passed away a couple of years before Nell met Andrew. Andrew, ever the dutiful son, had told the tale with a sigh: his mother saw him merely as a provider.
He worshipped her, and everything the threebedroom flat in a leafy suburb, the modest but cosy cottage in the countryside, the car and its garage belonged entirely to Susan. She even seemed delighted when her 26yearold son announced his engagement, assuming he would finally leave the family house and stop crowding her and Poppys lives.
Offering any help to the newlyweds never crossed Susans mind. Youre a man, youll earn your own keep. My assets are for Poppy, she declared loudly. Shell still be my daughter when Im old, she wont abandon me.
Nell didnt take offence; she merely felt sorry for Andrew, who was once again reminded that his mothers favourite was Poppy, a fact that clearly pained him.
Dont worry, soothed Nells own mother, Nora Yates. Well sort something out. You can stay with me for a while, then well see. Nora was a genuinely kind soul. Remembering how unpleasant it had been for her to live with her husbands parents once, she sold her little onebedroom flat and her cottage, gave the couple a cash boost for a mortgage deposit, and moved into a tiny studio. Why bother with a palace? Ill just have to tidy it, she joked when they protested the sacrifice.
Andrew always called Nora Mum and tried to help her whenever she fell ill, even driving to the hospital when she broke her leg. He later arranged a cosy holiday home for her, refusing to let her sit idle, and paid for the sanatorium each year. By then, Andrew had risen from an ordinary engineer to the production chief at a large firm.
From the start of their marriage, Nora had helped the couple as best she could, never once complaining. Nell had hoped Susan would at least praise her sons career progress, but that never happened.
Oh, whats the fuss? Susan waved off. At least he isnt a nightmare on my doorstep. She bragged about Poppys boyfriend, a suave businessman who seemed to glide through life on buttered toast. In reality, he was alone in his riches, while Poppy lingered in a sort of limbo for three years without ever marrying him.
Instead, Poppy found herself entangled in a romance with a rogue who vanished the moment she discovered she was pregnant, leaving her to give birth to baby Christina and resume the hunt for love. Susan never missed a chance to call her what a clever girl, what a golden granddaughter! yet shed only seen Christina a couple of times in five years and sometimes forgot her birthday altogether.
Surprisingly, Susan never asked the couple for money, despite never having worked herself. Poppy pretended to be employed, earning a pittance from an archival job. Andrew once mentioned that the late father had left a modest nest egg, which Susan had cleverly invested, living off the dividends. How much that was, Nell never bothered to ask.
It later emerged that Susan had bequeathed her citycentre flat to Poppy, which they let out for a tidy rent. Thus, two families had lived parallel lives for fifteen years. Andrew would pop over to wish Susan a happy birthday or a cheerful New Year, but never lingered longer than half an hour.
Darling, you cant be so careless, Susan gently chided Nell. Were family you should show some respect to your husbands mother.
Mum, she doesnt even look at us, Nell shot back, Shes always bragging about Poppy and Christina. I doubt shed recognise us on the street. Indeed, Susan showed little interest in her sons family.
Nell and Andrew werent overly curious about each others relatives either, but in a small town news travelled fast. Poppy eventually married, receiving her grandmothers beloved twobedroom flat as a wedding gift.
Oh, there was no wedding at all, Susan dismissed when her son tried to congratulate his sister. No need to spend money Poppy and her husband Paul are off on an expensive holiday, and they still need to refurbish a flat that costs money too.
Later it turned out the couple had divorced, and that flat was somehow split between them. Poppy spent her share on a vacation to recover from the stress. Meanwhile, Christina lived on her grandmothers full support, a fact Susan wore like a badge of pride.
For a spell Nell was out of the loop about Susans life: her mother fell ill, and Nell and Andrew did everything they could, even ferrying her abroad for treatment, to no avail. Andrew seemed to feel the loss more keenly than Nell, but Susan never even called to offer condolences.
Instead, Susan grew eager to find out whether her son could help sell an old car, as Poppy suddenly needed cash. That was the first time Nell heard Andrew swear. A few months later, Andrew stopped speaking to his mother altogether, only returning when neighbours reported a flood.
When they rushed to the family home, no one was there Susan, her sister (Andrews sibling), and his niece had gone to the seaside and deliberately ignored the neighbours calls. That seaside trip drastically altered Poppys life, as well as her mothers and daughters, and not for the better. At the resort, Poppy met the love of her life, Vladimir.
Vladimir was an investment enthusiast with no real assets and a rather rakish lifestyle. He made it clear that Poppys mother, like her daughter, meant nothing to him, though the flat would be handy for his schemes.
Unfortunately, Susan had already transferred all her property to Poppy to prevent any sharing of inheritance. That way Poppy wont have to split the estate, Susan had once boasted to the new bride.
Now Susan seemed oddly embarrassed. Andrew, talk to your sister, she called out of the blue. Vladimir is a wonderful man and loves Poppy, but I fear shes too susceptible to his influence
Ma, Poppy and I havent spoken properly in years, Andrew replied, his voice tight. What exactly am I supposed to say to her?
Just as I thought, theres no hope with you! Susan snapped and hung up.
Nell was mildly rattled by the call. Maybe we should find out whats going on with them? she suggested.
I have no desire whatsoever, Andrew answered sharply. As long as theyre alive and well, thats enough.
Six months later Susan turned up at their door, looking less like a sprightly lady and more like a withered old woman, eyes full of desperation.
Poppy sold our flat, she gasped as she entered. I have no idea where she is now. Please, find my daughter, she sobbed, staring at her son.
She didnt even glance at Nell.
Whats your address now? Andrew asked.
Its not just me, Susan sniffed. Christina and I are at the cottage. I dont know how Vladimir managed it all, but hes practically enchanted Poppy.
According to Susan, the rogue who had wooed Poppy and vanished with her money and pregnancy had fled, leaving her in a daze. She somehow believed her son could track the fugitives down.
Im afraid the police wont even file a report, Andrew sighed.
Susan walked away emptyhanded, now trying to tug at the couples heartstrings, begging them to take Christina in, since she could no longer look after her on a meagre pension. While the couple hesitated, Andrew regularly brought Susan groceries and a few pounds, but Poppy never phoned her.
