Simply Unloved

Listen says Davids fatherinlaw, John, sternly weve taken you into the family, we treat you like one of our own, and you turn down even the smallest favour? Thats not right, soninlaw! You ought to show respect to your wifes parents. What will you do when you need to ask us for help?

Poppy is born when her mother is barely nineteen. Early motherhood thwarts the couples plans, so they leave the baby in the care of her grandmother, Maggie, while they study. Maggie becomes Poppys first and most reliable pillar in the world.

The wedding takes place after their daughters birth, but the family truly settles down only when Poppy turns six. At that point her parents bring her to live with them in Birmingham and enroll her in her first year of school.

From the start, the new household is anything but harmonious. The father, John, holds a respectable position but shows no interest in either his wife, Helen, or his daughter. His life consists of frequent outings, affairs, and endless drinking. Helen disappears at work until the late hours of the night. Left to her own devices, Poppy spends her days roaming the streets. Irregular mealsoften cold and scantleave a permanent mark; she develops chronic gastritis. When the condition flares, Helen shuttles her from one clinic to another, turning the visits into a constant lever of control.

In that house there is no notion of personal boundaries or the right to have an opinion. Any wish Poppy expresses is cut off at the root. If she tries to stand her ground, a scandal erupts and accusations pour in. Helen openly declares Poppy an ungrateful little girl.

Im doing my best for you, and you cant even muster a simple thankyou! The amount of suffering youve brought me, only God knows she hisses get out of my sight!

Tensions peak over what seems a trivial dispute: as a teenager, Poppy refuses to join her parents evening photo shoot with guests. Helen explodes.

Shameless! How dare you embarrass me in front of people? Change right now and get out of here! This instant!

Mum, I dont want to be photographed Poppy insists I need to sleep! I have to get up early.

Helen lunges at her with fists; John steps in to separate them, then tells Poppy bluntly that they long for another child but cant have one.

If I could, Id throw you out of this house this very second he snarls its a shame we cant have any other kids! If a single chance ever opened up, Id send you straight to a childrens home!

Poppy has no right to say no. Helen increasingly brands her useless and ungrateful. When Poppy turns sixteen and a foster daughter, Lucy, joins the family, Helen finally softens a little, which only adds another layer of stress for Poppy.

Youre still our golden child Helen sighs, watching Lucy fling dishes across the floor in a fit of hysteria because she cant buy a computer like everyone else you never gave us any trouble! You listened to your father, agreed to the guardianship now therell be no more problems this

No one knows that at school Poppy is bullied, locked in cupboards, and openly despised. She never complains; she sees no point in whining when no one will stand up for her.

Poppy chooses a career and enrolls in a law degree at Leeds, exactly where her parents pushed her, hoping to win their approval. It backfires; they now chastise her for not finding her place in life.

Why are you studying law? John scoffs nothing but a factory job awaits you. Youre talentless! At least theyd take you somewhere

Poppy endures in silence, dreaming of shedding the shackles her parents keep tightening. She is exhausted.

When Poppy marries David, her parents trigger a prewedding scandal, accusing her of selfishness, of derailing their plans, and of borrowing money from them. Poppy did borrow a modest sum because she wanted to contribute to the wedding. Meanwhile Helen never stops leaning on her, dumping her own problems onto the daughter.

Do you realise how much effort weve put into raising you? Helen says when Poppy tries to decline another favour.

I get it, Mum, but David and I are trying to stand on our own feet, we have our own concerns Poppy replies cautiously Mum, theres no time for all this!

What concerns? Your concerns are ours too! Your husband should understand that John interjects and what were asking isnt much. Go pick up the groceries, drop them off at the restaurant, sit with the younger one while were at the celebration.

Dad, David works late and he has an important meeting tomorrow Poppy attempts to protest.

A meeting? More important than family? Have you forgotten how hard we worked to raise you? Your illnesses, your unbearable temperament! Helens voice rises.

Mum, you talk about my illnesses that started while you were busy with work and other matters. I dont recall you ever really raising me Poppy says bitterly.

Ungrateful! You have no idea what it means to be a parent! If it werent for us youd be on the streets! Helen shouts youd be starving at Grandmas!

Mum, Im grateful, but Im not obliged to devote my whole life to you! All we ask is a little personal space Poppy sighs.

Personal space? You just got married and youre already thinking of yourself! We gave you a home, we raised you! John presses and now you dare turn us down?

Mum, you have nothing to do with our flat Poppy says, hinting that the couples apartment is bought on a mortgage they now repay together.

If youre so independent, why cant you find a decent job? Why are you skulking around in some shady contracts? And why havent you repaid us for your education? John lands a punch of a comment we funded your studies. Wheres at least a sliver of gratitude?

Poppy finally snaps and faces her father.

Dad, could you at least stop backing her in this nonsense?

Poppy, dont start John says calmly but firmly Mums right. Were only asking a little. Your husband should know his place. Nothing will happen to him if he helps us. We are your family.

David doesnt have to drive you around! Hes not a taxi! Poppys voice trembles with hysteria.

Have you gone completely mad?! How dare you raise your voice at your father?! Helen steps forward.

David, who has been silent till now, cant take it any longer.

Thats enough! Stop shouting at her! I married your daughter, I took responsibility for her. What do you think I promised? To be your servant?

Who do you think you are, telling us what to do? John snaps you took my daughter, we accepted you into the family, and out of gratitude you should help us!

I love Poppy and I want her to be happy. Since the wedding youve given us no peace, David says firmly either we start living our own lives, or shell have no contact with you!

Poppy looks at David, then at her parents.

Poppy, you cant! Youll betray us?! Helen hisses youre our daughter! Weve done so much for you

I remember, Mum Poppy whispers, clenching her fists I remember everything you did to me, how you humiliated me, how you beat me. I remember you saying you wanted another child. I remember

Ungrateful! Helens voice cracks.

No, Mum. Im an adult now, I have a family. Davids right: well live our own lives. You can stop calling us until you learn to respect our decisions.

The first days of this socalled freedom are tense. The parents keep calling, threatening, then trying to blackmail with silence, but Poppy and David hold firm. Poppy also decides to deprive her father of the only leverage he hasshe plans to repay the money they claim she owes for her education. The couple scrapes by, saving every penny to clear the debt.

The hardest part is weathering Poppys breakdowns. Claiming her right to a normal life forces her to confront years of psychological pressure. David becomes her rock, her steady stone.

Well get through this, love. Well make it, I promise!

They do. It takes a year for the couple to settle the account the parents handed them: a £500,000 bill, even though the actual cost of her studies was half that. After the money is paid, Poppy cuts off contact with them completely. The parents make no move to reconcile; they remain deeply offended by their ungrateful daughter.