Listen, says Thomas, sternly, to David, his soninlaw weve taken you into the family, we treat you like one of our own, and youre turning down even the smallest favors? Thats not right, soninlaw! You must respect your wifes parents. When you need our help, will we be there?
—
Poppy is born when her mother is barely nineteen. The early motherhood shatters the young couples plans, and for the first few years Poppy lives with her grandmother, Agnes, while her parents finish their studies. Agnes becomes Poppys first and most reliable pillar.
The wedding takes place after the baby arrives, but the family settles into a proper rhythm only when Poppy turns six. At that point, her parents bring her to their new home in Manchester and enrol her in Year1.
From the start, the new household is far from harmonious. John, who holds a respectable position at a manufacturing firm, shows no interest in either his wife Margaret or his daughter. His days are spent in endless outings, affairs, and pub nights. Margaret disappears into work until the early hours, leaving Poppy to fend for herself on the streets. Irregular, often cold meals give her chronic gastritis. When the condition flares, Margaret shuttles her between hospitals, using the visits as a lever of control.
There are no personal boundaries in the house. Any wish Poppy expresses is crushed outright. If she tries to defend her opinion, it erupts into a scandal and a flood of accusations. Margaret declares openly, Youre an ungrateful little girl.
Im doing my best for you, and you cant even muster a thankyou! Only the Lord knows how much suffering youve caused me, she snaps, get out of my sight!
The tension peaks over a seemingly trivial dispute when teenage Poppy refuses to take part in a nighttime photosession with her parents and their guests. Margaret erupts:
Shameless! How dare you embarrass me in front of people? Change clothes this instant! Right now!
Mum, Im not going to be photographed, Poppy retorts, Im tired! I have to get up early.
Margaret lunges at her with fists; John steps in to separate them, then tells Poppy bluntly that they wish for another child but cant have one.
If I could, Id kick you out of the house this very second, he snarls, its a pity we cant have any other children! If there were even one chance, Id hand you over to a childrens home!
—
Poppy is never allowed to say no. Margaret increasingly labels her worthless, useless, and ungrateful. When Poppy turns sixteen and the family adopts a girl, Lucy, Margaret finally softens a fraction, which only adds to Poppys stress.
Youre still gold to us, Margaret sighs, watching Lucy throw dishes in a tantrum because she cant afford a computer like everyone else. We never had problems with you! We listened to your father, agreed to the adoption Now we wont cause any more trouble
At school, Poppy is beaten and locked in cupboards. Shes hated, and instead of friends, she faces a pack that torments her. She never complains; she sees no point in shouting for help that never comes.
Poppy chooses to study law at the University of Manchester because her parents push her toward it, hoping it will win their approval. It doesnt. They now rebuke her for not finding a proper place in life.
Why are you studying law? John sneers, youll end up at a factory floor, youre talentless! At least they might take you on.
Poppy endures in silence, dreaming of shedding the chains her parents have fastened around her. Shes exhausted.
—
When Poppy marries David, her parents stage a prewedding outburst, accusing her of selfishness, of ruining their plans, and of taking money from them. Poppy did borrow a modest sum to contribute to the wedding, and Margaret continues to dump her problems onto her.
Do you realise how much effort weve put into you? Margaret says when Poppy tries to decline a request for help with another event.
I get it, Mum, but David and I are trying to stand on our own feet, we have our own responsibilities, Poppy replies cautiously, theres no time for all this!
What responsibilities? Your responsibilities are ours too! Your husband should understand that, John interjects, isnt it a lot to ask? Pick up the groceries, drop them at the restaurant, look after the younger one while were at the party.
Dad, David works late and has an important meeting tomorrow, Poppy protests.
A meeting? More important than family? Have you forgotten how hard we worked to raise you? Your illnesses, your terrible temperament! Margarets voice rises.
Mum, youre talking about my health problems that appeared while you were busy with work and other things. I dont recall you ever actually raising me, Poppy says bitterly.
Ungrateful! You dont know what it means to be a parent! If it werent for us youd be on the streets, living off your grandma in hunger! Margaret shouts.
Im grateful, but Im not obligated to devote my whole life to you! All we ask is a minimal amount of personal space, Poppy sighs.
Personal space? You just got married and already think of yourselves! We gave you a home, we brought you up! John presses, and now you dare refuse us?
Mum, you have nothing to do with our flat, Poppy says, hinting that the couples apartment is financed by a mortgage theyre both repaying.
If youre so independent, why cant you find a decent job, and why are you hanging around shady deals? And most of all, why havent you paid us back for your education? John lands a lowblow, we taught you. Wheres your gratitude?
Poppy turns to her fatherinlaw:
Dad, can you stop supporting her in this nonsense?
Poppy, dont start, John says calmly but firmly, Mums right. We ask only a little. Your husband must know his place. Nothing will happen to him if he drives us around. Were your family.
David isnt your chauffeur! Poppys voice cracks with hysteria.
Have you gone completely mad?! How dare you raise your voice at your father? Margaret steps forward.
David, who has been silent till now, cant take it any longer:
Enough! Stop shouting at her! I married your daughter, Ive taken responsibility for her. What do you have to do with it? I never promised to be your servant.
Who do you think you are to tell us what to do? John erupts, you took my daughter, we accepted you, and out of gratitude you should be helping us!
I love Poppy and I want her happy. Since the wedding youve given us no peace, David says firmly, either we live our own lives, or shell have no contact with you!
Poppy looks at David, then at her parents.
Poppy, you cant! Youll betray us! Margaret hisses, youre our daughter! Weve done so much for you
I remember, Mum, Poppy whispers, clenching her fists, I remember everything you did to humiliate me, to beat me. I remember you saying you wanted another child. I remember
Ungrateful! Margarets voice rings.
No, Mum. Im an adult with my own family. Davids right: well live our own lives. You can stop calling us until you learn to respect our choices.
The first days of this socalled freedom are tense. The parents call, threaten, and try to blackmail with silence, but Poppy and David hold firm. Poppy decides to strip John of his only leverage by repaying the debt hes inflated. The couple scrimps on everything to clear the bill.
The biggest hurdle is Poppys emotional breakdowns. Defending her right to live forces her to confront years of psychological pressure. David becomes her rock.
Well get through this, Poppy. Well definitely get through it!
They do. It takes a year for the couple to settle the £500,000 account the parents handed themthough the actual cost of her education was half that. Once the money is paid, Poppy cuts off contact. The parents, still bitter over their ungrateful daughter, make no move to reconcile.
