Is the Orchid Really to Blame? “Polly, take this orchid or I’m throwing it out,” Kate said, carelessly picking up the clear pot from the windowsill and handing it to me. “Thanks, Kate! But what’s wrong with this orchid?” I was surprised. After all, three more gorgeous, well-tended orchids stood in her window. “It was a wedding gift for my son. And you know how that all ended,” Kate sighed heavily. “I know your Denis got divorced before their first anniversary. I won’t ask why—I bet it was a serious reason. Denis adored Tanya,” I said gently, not wanting to reopen a fresh wound. “I’ll tell you the full story one day, Polly. For now, it’s just too much,” Kate said, getting a bit teary. I brought the “banished” and “rejected” orchid home. My husband looked sympathetically at the wilting plant. “Why do you want that poor thing? There’s no life in it. Even I can see that. Don’t waste your time,” he insisted. “I want to revive it. Give it some love and care. You’ll see—soon you’ll be impressed by this orchid!” I replied, determined to breathe life back into the drooping flower. He winked playfully: “Who ever turns down a bit of love?” A week later, Kate called: “Polly, can I come over? I can’t keep this bottled up anymore. I want to tell you everything about Denis’s failed marriage.” “Of course, Kate. I’m here whenever you need me,” I assured her—remembering how she’d supported me through two rocky marriages of my own… After all, we’d been friends for years. Kate arrived within the hour, settled in the kitchen, and for hours, over a glass of dry wine, a mug of coffee, and some dark chocolate, she shared the whole, tangled tale. “I never imagined my ex-daughter-in-law was capable of such things. Denis and Tanya were together for seven years. Denis left Annie—who I adored, by the way—for Tanya, who was just stunning. He was absolutely besotted, following her around like a lovesick puppy. Tanya looked like a model—men couldn’t help but stare. But for all those years, they never had a child. I figured Denis wanted everything by the book—get married, then have kids. Denis is private, and we never pried. Finally, Denis told us: ‘Mum, Dad, I’m marrying Tanya. We’ve booked the registry office. I’m throwing a huge wedding—no expense spared.’ He was thirty. We were thrilled that he’d finally settle down. But, Polly, the wedding date had to be postponed twice—once Denis got sick, then I was held up at work. It felt odd, but Denis was glowing with happiness—I didn’t say anything. Denis even wanted to have a church wedding with Father Christopher, but the priest was called back to his home parish. Nothing was going smoothly. It seemed like the world was warning us… The wedding was spectacular, noisy, extravagant. Here—look at the wedding photo. You see that orchid? Glorious, in full bloom. Its leaves stood tall like soldiers. And now? Just limp rags remain of it. …Denis and Tanya planned their honeymoon in Paris, but right at the airport, Tanya was barred from leaving the country—something about an unpaid fine. Denis swatted away these troubles like flies. …But then Denis got seriously ill. Ended up in hospital, things looked grim. Doctors were at a loss. Tanya visited for a week, then bluntly told him: ‘Sorry, but I can’t handle being married to an invalid. I’m filing for divorce.’ Polly, imagine my son—bedridden—hearing that. But he only said: ‘I understand, Tanya. I won’t fight you.’ So they divorced. But Denis got better—thanks to a wonderful doctor named Peter. And Peter had a lovely 20-year-old daughter, Mary. At first, Denis turned up his nose: ‘She’s just a slip of a girl—not even pretty.’ ‘Give her a chance, son. Looks aren’t everything. You’ve already had a model for a wife…Better to be happy drinking water together than sipping honey in sorrow.’ …Time passed. Mary totally fell for Denis—called all the time, trailed after him everywhere. So we tried nudging them together—day at the park, barbecue, campfire. Denis looked miserable, barely noticing Mary’s devotion. I told my husband: ‘It’s hopeless. Denis is still obsessed with Tanya. She’s a thorn in his heart.’ …Three or four months later—ding dong! It’s Denis, holding that infamous orchid. ‘Here you go, Mum—remnants of past happiness. Do as you like with it—I’m done with it.’ I took it reluctantly and basically ignored it, blaming the poor flower for my son’s heartbreak. One day, a neighbour says: ‘Kate, I saw Denis with that petite girl. His ex-wife was more glamorous, for sure.’ But then Denis announced, hand-in-hand with Mary: ‘Meet my wife—Mary. We got married quietly at the registry office, then Father Christopher married us in church. Mum, Dad, no big fuss this time! It’s forever now.’ I pulled him aside: ‘Denis, are you sure you love her? Is this for revenge against Tanya?’ ‘No, Mum. I’m over it. That woman is my past—I’m done even saying her name. Mary and I are right for each other.’ And that’s the tale, Polly. Kate finished her story, right down to the last detail. …Two years passed. Life swept us along. But the orchid? It flourished again—blooming beautifully after care and love. Flowers know how to say thank you. I met Kate at the hospital maternity ward: ‘Hi, mate! What brings you here?’ ‘Mary just had twins—being discharged today!’ Kate beamed. Denis and his dad hovered nearby, Denis clutching red roses. Out came exhausted but glowing Mary, with two sleeping bundles in tow. Then came my daughter, holding my own new granddaughter. Meanwhile, Tanya was begging Denis for forgiveness and a fresh start. …But glue a broken teacup, and no one really wants to drink from it…

IS THE ORCHID TO BLAME?

Emily, take this orchid with you or Im throwing it in the bin, Kate said, carelessly lifting the clear pot from the windowsill and placing it in my hands.

Oh, cheers, love! But why, whats this orchid done to deserve the boot? I asked, genuinely puzzled. After all, three more pampered orchids sat proudly on her windowsill, looking fit as ever.

That flower was given to my son on his wedding day. And, well, you know how that ended Kate sighed heavily.

I know. Young David didnt even make it a year married before the split. No need to ask the reason; I can guess it mustve been serious. David idolised Sophie, I replied, not wanting to pick open a wound that plainly hadnt healed.

Ill tell you about it properly another time, Em. Just not ready now Kates eyes glazed as a few tears slipped down her cheek.

I took the castaway and rejected orchid home. My husband looked pitifully at the limp little thing.

Why bother with that sorry specimen? That orchids got no life left in it. Even I can see that. Dont waste your time, he said.

I want to revive it. Ill show it the love and attention it deserves. Youll see this orchid will win you over yet, I insisted, determined to coax life from the wilting, fading flower.

He chuckled and winked at me. Who ever refused a bit of love?

A week later, Kate rang.

Emily, can I pop round? I need to get something off my chest. I want to tell you the whole tale about Davids disastrous marriage.

Come by anytime, Kate. The kettles always on for you. I couldnt say no; shed seen me through my own painful divorce from Michael, and again when things fell apart with my second partner Our friendship had lasted the test of time.

An hour later, she was at my kitchen table, settling in. Over a glass of dry red, steaming mugs of coffee, and some good old dark chocolate, Kate began her long tale.

I never couldve imagined my, well, ex-daughter-in-law was capable of that. David and Sophie lived together seven years. He courted her ages before they settled. Left Anna for Sophie, even though I loved Anna like the daughter I never had she was always so homely and kind. Suddenly Sophie blew in, all glamour and looks. David went completely daft, followed her about, doted on her like some great bee after the brightest flower. He adored Sophie so much he dropped Anna in an instant.

Alright, yes, Sophie had looks straight off the catwalk. David lapped it up, liked the way his mates gawped at her, and the glances she drew on the street. But after seven years, no child came along. Odd, I thought, but maybe he just really wanted to do things properly marry first. David never shared much. And we never pried.

One day he drops it in our laps: Mum, Dad, Im marrying Sophie. Weve given notice at the register office. The party will be fit for royalty. No expense spared.

We were pleased, of course. Thirty years old, time he had a proper family.

But, Em, the date had to be pushed back twice. Once David came down poorly, then my work trip overran. I had a funny feeling about the whole thing but didnt want to spoil his happiness. He even wanted a church blessing, but the vicar had just gone abroad for a long spell. Everything seemed to go wrong you just keep picking up on these signs, dont you?

The big day finally arrived, a proper knees-up. Here look at the photos. See the orchid in this one? Full of blooms, bright green leaves standing tall. And now? The poor things all limp, barely recognisable.

David and Sophie planned Paris for their honeymoon, but trouble again. Sophie got held up at the airport over some huge unpaid fine they turned them back at the gate. David just ignored it all, head in the clouds, dreaming up his perfect family.

But then, out of the blue, David fell seriously ill. Ended up in hospital; things looked bleak. The doctors werent hopeful.

Sophie visited at first, for about a week. Then she told David, calm as you like: Sorry, but I cant be married to an invalid. Ive filed for divorce.

Can you imagine how he felt, lying there, unable to move? He just said, I understand, Sophie. I wont stand in your way.

So they separated.

But, you know, David pulled through. We found a marvellous doctor Dr Peter Godwin. He got David back on his feet within six months. Peters got a sweet daughter, Alice, twenty years old. Honestly, at first David wouldnt even look at her. Shes tiny. And nothing special, he shrugged.

I told him, Dont judge by appearances. Youve had your fill of beauty queens. Far better to drink water joyfully than honey tearfully.

David wrestled with his feelings for Sophie, but Alice was smitten from the start, always calling, never leaving his side.

So, we tried to give things a nudge took a trip out to the countryside together. David was glum as anything, barely said a word, didnt even glance at Alice. I told my husband, Its no use. He still loves Sophie. Shes a splinter in his heart.

Three or four months later, theres a knock at the door. Theres David, holding that same orchid.

Here, Mum, have this leftover bit of past happiness. You do what you want with it. I dont need exotic plants cluttering up my life.

I took it, though I couldn’t stand to look at it, almost blamed it for Davids misery. I shut it away, didnt water it. Neglected it completely.

Then, not long after, a neighbour stops me: Kate, saw David out with that Thumbelina of a girl. His ex was taller and far prettier.

I couldnt believe it was my boy really dating Alice?

Soon after, David walks up, holding Alices hand: Mum, meet my wife. Alice and I got married.

My husband and I stared at them. But what about the wedding, the party?

No need for all the fuss. Weve been through that before. Quiet do at the register office, just us. The vicar gave us a little blessing. Alice and I are together, heart and soul.

In a quiet corner, I asked, David, do you love her? Youre not doing this to spite Sophie?

No, Mum. Im not seeking revenge. Im over that woman, he wouldnt say her name anymore. And as for love, I suppose you could say Alices world fits mine, just right.

Thats the whole story, Emily, Kate finished, emptier and calmer than before.

After that heartfelt evening, Kate and I didnt see each other for two years life got busy as it always does.

Meanwhile, the orchid revived, blossomed gloriously. Flowers do know how to repay kindness.

I finally ran into Kate at the maternity unit:

Alright, love, what brings you here? I asked.

Alice had twins! Theyre being discharged today. Kate was grinning.

Not far off, David and Kates husband waited with a bouquet of red roses.

Out came Alice, exhausted but glowing, two nurse-carried babies swaddled beside her.

Right after, my own daughter came out with my newborn granddaughter.

Now Sophie wants David to forgive her, to start afresh.

But, as the saying goes: you can mend a broken cup, but youll never drink the same from it again.

Today, as I watched the orchid in full bloom, it struck me: it was never the orchids fault. We all need care, and sometimes, if we offer enough patience and kindness, we get more beauty back than we ever expected.