The Man at the Window – Happy Home – 13


Mary loved Poppy more than her heart could hold and it was this love which made her forgive and overlook all his shortcomings. Poppy acknowledged his mistakes and promised that he would never put them through anything like that again. Now, Poppy would still go the club now and again because he was an avid snooker fan, however he would come home early and spend time with “his girls”.

Life went on and before they knew it, Amy was three years old and ready to go to school. She was to join the same school where Poppy taught. So, they decided to move to a house closer to the school. It was a very emotional move, because now Amy wouldn’t see her grandparents ever day and they were surely going to miss her singing and mischief making ways. Amy took a lot of time getting used to the new place and school. Thankfully the nanny had stayed on with them and thankfully, that was one less thing she had to adjust to. Getting Amy ready for school was a task. She would scream, cry and bring the roof down. Poppy had a hard time dropping her off to her playroom at school because she wanted him to be with her too. It took her six months to adjust to this routine and soon she would smilingly leave Poppy’s hand when he dropped her off. Amy was a bright talkative little girl and had made many friends in the class. Mary and Poppy were happy.

By the end of the year, Poppy was assigned family accommodation and the family moved to the beautiful campus home. It had an in- house hospital, two beautiful play grounds, a park for the kids and the School building was a five minute walk from the house. The school had security guards everywhere, so the kids were safe. They even had a group of housekeeping staff for all the families that lived on the campus. There was a bus stop just outside where Mary could get a direct bus to work. The neighbors were wonderful and helpful people and soon they had become like family.  It was a happy contented life and just when they thought they had it all, Mary announced that baby number two was on the way. The three of them held each other and squealed in delight. It was a beautiful life indeed.

As Poppy narrated this to me, I noticed he had welled up a little. However, knowing him to be the strong man he was, I didn’t dare ask him anything. That night lying in my bed, I wondered what could have happened and where Mary was. I guess, I’ll just have to wait and see.




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