Poppy had never, at twenty, imagined the whirlwind that lay ahead. She was a university student, head over heels for Daniel, and already daydreaming about a wedding because the two of them were already trading vows in their heads.
Daniel was a few years older; he’d finished his National Service before they first met at the schools autumn disco when Poppy was in her final year of secondary school. She always remembered the moment she first saw him. Even though they lived in the same townManchester, to be preciseand attended the same school, Daniel had graduated a couple of years earlier.
Whos that gorgeous bloke? Poppy thought as Daniel strode into the hall, scanning the crowd for familiar faces. Their eyes locked, he flashed a grin, and she swooned on the spot. Could it have been any other way? He was unlike any other lad shed ever known.
Hey, Im Daniel. And you are? he asked, stepping toward her. Poppy blushed so hard her cheeks could have been used as traffic lights. Would you like a dance? he said, taking her by the waist and pulling her into the swirl of the music.
Poppy she whispered, feeling as if her feet had taken off. Daniel guided her confidently, and she could feel every twist and turn of his lead.
Poppy, youre a natural, he chuckled.
The whole evening they stuck together, and by the end theyd already agreed hed see her home. They lingered, reluctant to part, but Poppy reminded herself that her mum would be waiting.
Daniel never let a dull moment creep in. After school Poppy headed for university in her hometown, while Daniel took a job at a local engineering firm. Boredom was a foreign concept to him; his boundless optimism infected everyone around him. He had a legion of mates, and Poppy soon found herself joining his crew at weddings, pubs, and everything in between.
Even in the dead of winter Daniel would pop a bouquet of roses into her hands, turning every date into a minicelebration. Theyd lounge in cafés, escape to the countryside, or just wander around town with friends.
When Poppy was in her third year, Daniel surprised her.
Got us two ski passes for the New Years break, he announced. Well learn to carve down the slopes togethertopnotch instructors, I promise.
Yay, Daniel! Youre the best, she squealed, flinging herself onto his shoulders. Then, remembering her own cowardice, she added, Except Im a bit of a scaredycat on the mountain. Daniel laughed it off, and the trip turned out to be unforgettable. Poppy discovered a love for skiing and almost didnt want the fairytale to end.
Come International Womens Day, Daniel showed up at Poppys flat with two bouquets.
Happy Womens Day, he said, handing one to her mum and the other to Poppy. For my lovely lady, he added, kissing her cheek. She beamed at the roses.
Her mother, Margaret, sighed, Youre spending a fortune, love.
Fine, Daniel replied. My mates Sam and Vince are heading off to a wellpaid electrical jobhighvoltage lines, decent wages. Ill tag along, earn some cash for a wedding and a new car.
Poppy, eyes watery, begged, Dont go, Daniel. I dont want you to leave.
Ill be away for three or four months, then Ill be back. Well still chat, and Im deadset on a beautiful weddingdont you want that?
I do, but a modest ceremony would be fine. Its not about the flash; its about us being together, she replied, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
Daniel wasnt about to change his plans. He left with his friends, the pay was indeed generous, and they kept in touch regularly.
One afternoon, while Poppy was in a lecture, an uneasy feeling brushed over her, then faded. The night before shed spoken to Daniel, so she didnt expect a call that evening. Yet her heart felt offbalance at home. She dialed Daniels numberhe never missed her callsbut his phone rang silent. Panic fluttered in her chest.
Why isnt Daniel answering? she thought, redialing five times to nothing.
Desperate, she grabbed Victors number and called.
Victor, wheres Daniel? she asked.
A familiar voice crackled back, Hes gone.
Poppys world tipped. What do you mean gone? she demanded, hearing only a few static clicks before the line went dead.
Mum! she shrieked, tears spilling.
The nightmare that followed was a blur of hospital lights and a grim report: Daniel had been electrocuted on a faulty power pole. Margaret, his mother, was a shell of herself, eyes dark with grief. His father and younger brother, Roman, rushed to the scene. The funeral was a quiet, grey affair, and the aftermath felt like an endless tunnel of sorrow.
Poppy sank into a stupor, visiting Margaret daily, often just sitting in silence beside her. Theyd drive to the cemetery together, stand at Daniels headstone, and share a cup of tea while the world went on outside.
Margaret clung to Poppy, urging her to stay for a while longer, especially now that school holidays were upon them. She suggested a seaside break.
Lets go to the coast, dear, Margaret proposed.
Poppy agreed, not because she wanted a holiday, but because Margaret wouldnt let her go. Her own mother had already told her it was time to move on, yet she felt obliged.
A week later they were on the northern coast. Mornings were spent sunning on the beach; afternoons they retired to a cosy guestroom. Margaret seemed a little steadier, but Poppy barely slept, scrolling through her phone while Margaret dozed.
Life bustled around them, yet Poppy felt isolated.
She walked to the promenade, the sea melting into the sky. A tiny pleasure boat bobbed on the horizon, gulls shrieked, cars honked, children laughed, strangers chatted and giggled. The world was alive, and she was the sole melancholy note.
Beautiful and sad, a voice murmured beside her.
She turned to see a young man, his smile oddly familiar. She wanted to snap back a snappy retort, but held back. Something about him reminded her of Danielshe couldnt put her finger on what.
Looks like the happiness fairy skipped me, she sighed.
I dont think so, he replied. Believe me, Im not that cynical. Im Graham.
Graham? Im Poppy, she said.
They exchanged a few banterfilled lines before Poppy spun away. Graham watched her go, having been silently observing her for days, feeling sorry that she seemed perpetually accompanied by her mother.
He decided he needed to know where she was from; there was something about her that tugged at his heart.
Two days before they were due to leave, Margaret fell asleep after a beach stroll. Poppy headed to a shop, and as she stepped out, she ran into Graham again.
He grabbed the grocery bag from her hands. Help me out? I wont mind at all, he said, instantly switching to firstname basis.
Do as you wish, she replied.
Poppy, I need a word. Something serious. Mind if we sit? He gestured toward the summer café beside the supermarket.
Im leaving in three days, she said. How long are you staying?
Tomorrow night, weve got tickets, he answered. I thought
Where do you live? he asked. She named the town; his eyes widened.
No kidding, I live there too! he exclaimed. Great, we wont get lost on each other.
Graham had graduated from the same university as Poppy and worked at a design bureau for the council. Single, freshly out of a rocky relationship, hed come up to the coast to sort out his own mess. Meeting Poppy, he fell headoverheels at first sight.
She confided in him about her grief and Margarets clingy presence. Graham was puzzled.
Why does her mother cling to you? Usually, after a son dies, the family steps back, he mused.
I dont know, Poppy admitted. I dont want to hurt her.
They swapped numbers and arranged to meet back in Manchester. Poppy was about to leave when Margaret, who had been looking for her, asked sternly, Where have you been?
I was in a shop, then for a walk, Poppy replied, feeling the weight of Margarets gaze.
Being around Margaret had become almost unbearable. Her mothers overbearing love was suffocating, and Poppys own mum kept urging her to break free: Let go of that burden. Youre only staying because you feel obliged. Yet Poppys kindness kept her from walking away, even when they were heading to the sea together.
She realized she could no longer live in that limbo. That night, while sorting Margarets things, Poppy suggested moving back home, starting a fresh chapter.
Margaret stared at her, then said, So, a new life, eh? For you its endless possibilities; for me youre like family. I thought you might be pregnantafter all, you and Daniel were together so long. I have a son; perhaps you could be a stepmum?
Poppys stomach turned. No, I dont need anyone else, she snapped, and Margaret, for the first time since the funeral, let the tears flow.
With that, Poppys resolve hardened: a new life awaited, one without Margarets shadow.
Home, home, the thought echoed in her mind. Perhaps meeting Graham was the blessing she needed; he opened her eyes to the possibility of moving on.
The new academic year began. Poppy and Graham grew closer, and one day she visited Daniels grave alone.
Goodbye, Daniel, she whispered. You gave me joy, but its time I lived for myself. Im becoming someone new, with a life that doesnt revolve around you.
She left the cemetery, walked back to Grahams car, and felt, for the first time in months, a flicker of hope. With Graham, she felt alive again. She saw Margaret only sporadically, mostly by accident. Soon enough, she and Graham married and were expecting their first child.
