Cheer up, Sam! Dont be down. At least you rang in the NewYear in style!
Heres the hometown. Sam stepped off the platform, crossed the station square and headed for the bus stop. He hadnt told his wife hed be back today.
His mood was sour because hed just had a nasty chat with Hannah. She was going to start nagging again, complaining that he was a selfish, indifferent bloke.
Why indifferent? Hed tried to wish her a happy NewYear, but shed switched her phone off. Shed taken offence!
He spent three days ringing her, but she never answered. Finally he got fed up and stopped calling.
And, to make matters worse, she hadnt even bothered to call his parents or his sister, let alone him. He was about to march straight to the front door and lay it all out.
She wasnt the only one with slipups there were plenty of things shed forgotten, so shed better answer for herself. As they say, the best defence is a good offence.
Sam perked up a bit and strutted into his flat, feeling a little battleready.
The flat greeted him with dead silence.
Oi! Anyone home? Poppy, Im back! he called out, but got no reply.
He peeked into the kitchen no sign of Hannah. One bedroom empty, the other the same. Then he noticed the changes straight away: the baby cot by the wall was gone, the dresser with the changing table and the pushchair that Hannahs parents had given them had vanished.
He opened the wardrobe the half where Hannahs clothes usually hung was bare too.
Has she lost her mind? Dumped me? Sam thought.
He tried his motherinlaws number, no answer. Then he rang Katie, Poppys best friend. Nothing. Finally he got through to Mike, Katies husband.
Mike, cheers! Could you get Katie on the line? I cant reach her.
Katies out in the village with the kids we were celebrating NewYear there. The signals shot.
I just got back because Im on shift today. Theyre still on holiday, Mike replied. Why do you need Katie?
Im hoping she knows where my Poppy is. I came from my parents place, but theres no sign of her at home. All the stuff we bought for the baby is missing too.
Sounds like your wife was about to become a mum. You jetted off for the holidays and left her alone? Mike was taken aback.
She didnt want to go. The doctor gave her a window ten to elevenJanuary. She could have travelled back.
Congrats, mate, youre a right muppet, laughed Mike.
Why? Sam was puzzled.
Cause youre probably a single now. Call the hospital, shell be there, Mike suggested.
—
Ten days earlier.
I dont get it, Sam, his mum said on the phone, why are you stuck at home on the holiday? Poppy cant travel, so why dont you go alone? Her due date is in about two weeks, youll be back in time.
Especially since most of the family will be gathering: Aunt Vera and Uncle Sergey are coming, Nat and Victor, Olga and Paul, plus dad, Vicky and Glen.
Vicky booked us rooms in a countryside hotel proper forest retreat four nights, from the 30th to the 2nd.
On the 31st therell be a banquet at the restaurant with some guest performers. Ive paid for you, youll repay later. Youll stay with us till Christmas, then head off on the 8th just in time for Poppys due date.
Poppy wasnt keen to go.
Sam, I could be called at any moment. Imagine everyone having a laugh and then I go into labour. And the hotels out of town will an ambulance even get there in time?
No, Im not going anywhere.
Right, mum says women now count a sick leave as a perk, but a baby as a heroic feat. She brought the three of us into the world, hardly stayed on maternity, and managed everything.
Sam knew Poppy had a point, but he imagined the NewYears Eve at home: just the two of them at a modest table, Poppy not planning any special dinner. It felt bleak.
Meanwhile, the whole clan would be singing, dancing, and having a ball at the restaurant. So he went alone.
The country hotel was indeed lively. Around half past midnight, when the year had just turned, Sam slipped out of the ballroom into the lobby to call his wife, but she didnt pick up.
Fine, youre sulking, but youre the one at fault. You could be there now, having fun with everyone, Sam muttered to himself.
The next day his mum vented about the daughterinlaw:
Poppy didnt even call to wish us a happy holiday. Shes offended! Youve completely let her off the hook, son.
She doesnt understand what a real family is. Were all together here, and shes off on her own. Let her sit and think.
Poppys NewYears night was nothing like theirs. If she thought of anyone at all, it was Sam, not the inlaws or the extended clan.
Her parents, learning their daughter was alone for the holidays, invited her over. They werent planning a big feast.
Her brother lived in the capital, worked a 24/7 shift, and didnt have a long weekend, so the parents intended to spend NewYears Eve just the two of them.
At nine on the 31st, Poppy and her mum were setting the table when Poppy went into labour.
An ambulance was called. Mum drove her to the hospital, dad followed in his car.
Poppy ended up ringing in the NewYear in a delivery suite, while her parents waited in the corridor. Poppy gave birth to a little boy
Sam, remembering Mikes advice, rang the hospital.
WardC? She was discharged yesterday, the operator said.
Discharged? I cant believe it. Is there a baby already?
Yes. Born on the 1st of January, half past midnight.
Who collected her from the hospital? Sam asked.
A young gentleman we dont record that in the registration log!
Sam realised only her parents could have taken her, so they must have the baby now. He bought a bunch of roses and headed over.
He rang. The front door was opened by his fatherinlaw.
Go on, Im listening.
Hello, Im here for Hannah.
Why? Poppys dad asked.
Actually Im her husband.
Poppy! his dad shouted. Theres a bloke at the door saying hes your husband. Want to talk to him?
No, let him in, Poppys voice called from inside the flat.
Her dad shrugged.
Fine, goodbye then, lad! and slammed the door.
Sam lingered a few minutes, then tried again.
This time his motherinlaw answered a tall, sturdy, loudvoiced woman. Honestly, Sam was a little intimidated.
Did you not get the picture? she asked.
Let me in, please, Sam began bravely. I have a right
He didnt finish. She snatched the roses from his hands and whacked him a few times on the cheek.
What right? An attorney will sort you out. And stop calling, my grandchilds sleeping, she snapped, tossed the bouquet at his feet and shut the door.
Sam trudged home, rubbing his face each step the roses were beautiful, but theyd left a sting.
Back at his flat he first called his mum.
Can you imagine? They wouldnt even let me into the flat, let alone see my son.
Dont worry, Sam. Poppy will come back, baby in arms, wherever she ends up. Dont keep calling or sending money.
Let her parents feed her if theyre that clever. In a week or two shell be home. Now get some sleep, youve got work tomorrow.
He did just that: ate some readymade fish pies from the corner shop and hit the sack.
He slept soundly, not realising it would be his last night in that flat.
The next morning, when Sam returned from work, his belongings were packed in boxes and black bags on the stairwell.
He rang again. This time his motherinlaw opened the door to the twobedroom flat hed shared with Poppy.
Well, love, you remember the address of your student hall, or should I remind you? Gather your stuff. Anything left here will be cleared out by the cleaners tomorrow!
Sam had to move into the hall.
The court had split them up. Tired of hall life, Sam tried to rent a place, but when his pay was docked for childsupport and another £5000 a month for his exwife, there was little left for a deposit.
You need to be more frugal! You still have to save for a place, Mike warned. Dont be down, Sam! At least you rang in the NewYear in style!
Poppy spent three years living with her parents, who helped raise baby Sam Jr., while they let out the flat.
When Poppy went back to work, she and her son moved into a new flat. After a refit, there was nothing left that reminded anyone of Sam or his family.
What do you think of Sams choices? Drop your thoughts in the comments and give it a like.