Poppy first spots Andrew in the office. He walks in to interview for the Purchasing Department, and she has just darted into HR to sign a memo. She pauses, caught by the sight of the goodlooking newcomer.
Handsome, isnt he, she thinks, and confident. You can tell straight away They dont make men like that any more. Ah, purchasing Well be meeting soon enough.
The next morning the stranger appears in the accounts suite, greets everyone with a warm smile and scans the room. His gaze lingers on Poppy.
She feels a strange shiver run through her. Well, thats something, she mutters, we havent seen a look like that in ages.
Whether shes seen it before or not, the story doesnt say, but Poppy quickly realises that Andrew isnt like the other suitors shes had. He meets her eye openly, gently, attentively, never in a rush. He solves problems with ease, often before anyone asks, yet never imposes. He can disappear unnoticed, and somehow he always turns up exactly when she needs him most.
All this leaves an indelible impression on Poppy. She falls for him completely, with no doubt.
After all, a man like him is a dream come true.
Two months later they share a flat; six months after that they marry. When their son is borna spittingimage of AndrewPoppy finally understands what happiness feels like.
At night she nestles against him and whispers,
Youre not going anywhere, are you? Ive tied you down tight.
I never planned on going anywhere, he replies, planting a kiss on her temple.
***
Poppy has known from the start that Andrew has a daughter from his first marriage. She asks about her, but he is reluctant to talk. One evening he finally says,
We havent spoken for years, Ive lost all contact. When my exwife, Helen, and our little girl, Daisy, were three, Helen didnt want us to stay in touch. Now Daisys a teenager Lets not dig up the past.
Poppy shrugs, Alright. If you ever want to find her, tell me. Ill support you. He nods. No more questions.
Andrew is righteveryone has a history.
***
One night Andrew comes home looking out of sorts. He removes his coat slowly, heads to the kitchen without looking at Poppy, pours himself a glass of water and simply stands there, glass in hand.
Whats wrong, love? Poppy asks, concerned.
He looks guilty, then, as if mustering courage, says, I I found Helen on social media, messaged her to see how she and Daisy are doing. Turns out Daisy wants to talk to me. We even spoke on the phone.
Poppy freezes. She has reminded Andrew about his daughter countless times, but this news throws her off balance. A knot tightens in her chest.
Lovely, she forces a smile, Im really happy for you.
Andrew beams, grateful to hear that. Yet Poppy feels a new weight settle over her life.
***
At first its just short calls. He slips into his bedroom and shuts the door, muttering, Daisys shy. Poppy stays alone in the kitchen, hearing his soft, affectionate voice the same velvet tone that used to be only for her.
Soon Helens messages appear, first brief, then longer. Poppys fingers reach for Andrews phone whenever it lies unattended. She reads the texts, sees pictures of a girl she doesnt know. Between the lines she senses a sugary, poisonous promise: Were here, were near, were waiting
Every time Andrew walks into another room with his phone, she tells herself, Hes just talking to his daughter, dont imagine anything.
One day, passing the doorway, she hears a nameHelen. Her former wife. From that moment her private hell takes shape.
Poppy despises herself for what she does, yet she cant stop. She watches him smile at the screen, watches him hold his breath, thinking about what to type back. Every glance, every gesture feels like betrayal. She becomes convinced hes living a double life.
Jealousy flares anew each day, and everything irritates her.
You dont value me at all! she erupts one evening as Andrew scrolls idly through his phone.
Whats happening, Poppy? he asks, genuinely baffled.
Dont play dumb! I see everything! Youre still talking to her!
Whoher? he replies, genuinely clueless.
Her anger only deepens. Each ring of his phone feels like an electric shock. Every latenight work shift looks like proof of an affair. She becomes a spy in her own home, because she loves him to the point of selfdestruction. He says nothing, offers no explanations, as if he cant see how much she suffers. Its unlike him at all.
***
Their arguments become frequent, often over nothingtiny grievances that spiral into global crises. Poppy screams that Andrew no longer hears her, that his gaze has changed, that her very presence seems to weigh him down.
A thought repeatedly haunts her, choking and frightening: If he decides that the past matters more than the present, where will he go? Who will welcome him?
She used to be certain of their marriage. Now the house she loved feels unsafe. At night she lies awake, eyes wide, thinking, What if he chooses the old life over ours? In the morning she chastises herself, pleading, Were a family. No, he isnt like that.
The more she convinces herself, the stronger the fear growsfear of his choice.
***
One evening Andrew leaves his phone on the kitchen counter and goes to bathe their son. A notification flashes: Helen
Poppys fingers tremble, her heart tightens, but she doesnt open the message. Shes terrified of what she might read. Such fears have become routine.
Why are you so off today? Andrew asks later, after putting the baby to sleep.
Everythings fine, she replies too quickly.
He looks at her long, as if he understands something, but says nothing.
Later, as he sleeps, Poppy lies beside him, listening to his steady, familiar breathing. She imagines someone else hearing that same breath, and the thought burns her so fiercely that she gets up and retreats to the kitchen, sits on a stool, fists clenched.
For the first time she feels replaceable.
Andrew walks in, and she lifts her tearstained eyes.
Im scared youll leave me one day.
He kneels, takes her hands, and asks slowly, Where would I go?
She looks away, whispers, To them.
He stays silent. The pause that follows is louder than any protest or joke; it feels like a verdict.
***
Then comes a night that changes everything. Andrew simply doesnt come back. He doesnt call, doesnt text; his phone is dead. Poppy sits in the dark kitchen, replaying countless happy scenes in her headhim and her together, their future without her. By dawn her heart feels like a slab of ice.
She opens her laptop, her fingers start typing, not to Andrew but to Helen. She writes and cries, not noticing the tears, pressing words out as if clinging to a lifeline. She pours out love, jealousy, humiliation, pleading, Tell me the truth! She hits Send and feels an odd mix of relief and emptiness. Now she waits.
All day she cant sit still, rehearsing the confrontation shell have when he finally returns. She walks the flat, touches objects, mechanically feeds her son, but inside shes just waiting for judgment.
He finally appears late, pale and gaunt. He sits opposite her in silence.
Why did you do that? his voice is tired, low.
What did I do? she asks, voice shaking.
I read your email. Youve got it all wrong.
Is that so? she snaps, losing what little composure she has left. Explain then! Are you going back to them? Old love never dies, they say! Speak up! Dont hide behind your phone! How could you read my letter? Did she suggest it? Did she try to expose my weakness?
Its not her, Andrew says quietly. Ill answer you myself. Everything will be fine if you dont ruin it yourself.
Convenient, Poppy sneers bitterly. Fine, say nothing. Im done with this. I shouldnt have written to her.
Hes dead, Andrew exhales sharply. Helen passed away last night. I was with her.
Poppy thinks she misheard. The room seems to freeze. Her breath catches, a cold spreads through her.
She died? she whispers, as if fearing the answer.
Andrew nods.
Shed been ill for a long time, he continues, she was glad I turned up. She didnt want to get back together, Poppy. She only wanted Daisy not to be alone.
He sighs heavily. Now you see why everything rests on you. If you say no, Ill have to find a place for Daisy.
You mean a childrens home? Poppys voice trembles with horror.
No, he says quickly. Both Helens and my families have relatives. I hope someone will take her in. I cant decide without you.
Poppy leaps up, shouting, Dont even think about it! Daisy will live with us, understood? With us!
Andrew freezes, closes his eyes for a heartbeat. When he opens them, tears glisten.
I knew youd say that, he whispers.
She throws herself into his chest, burying her face there. All the fear, the suspicion, melt away. Ahead lies a difficult but new life, and Poppy no longer feels afraid. She has made her choice.
