You Are Allowed To Say No

 You are allowed to say No – By Natalie Sara-Jayne
 
Poppy had once again been asked to bake a cake for a friend’s party. She was doing the finishing touches whilst talking to her best friend from school,
“I don’t know why you are doing this again Poppy, they should be paying you to do it even if it’s the money for the ingredients” Bell told her
“They are my friends Bell would I ask you to pay for a cake”
“No but that’s different we are real friends Poppy we’re not fair weather friends”
“What do you mean by that?”
“What I mean is they are only your friend when it is convenient for them”
“Bell you’re being dramatic”
“No I am not, you know this Pops you are worth more than they are treating you, when have they ever done anything for you”
“Last week Hattie took us all out for dinner”
“Only because her Uncle owns the palace she or any of her party never have to pay when they go there, that’s why they go there to take advantage of it like they take advantage of you and your baking skills, you are only invited tonight because you are making the cake and why Hattie is inviting you to her wedding because you are making the wedding cake and desserts. You are giving them a free service that’s why they want you around; when they don’t need it you will never hear from them and when you contact them they will tell you they are busy”
“Bell enough you are acting like you did the other week with Jason saying I’m on his hook”
“You are on his hook” Bell screamed “when has he ever asked to take thing further, you are his back up I bet he even has a girlfriend”
“Bell please enough why do you always do this”
“Because I’m looking out for you, you’re my best friend and I know you are not as confidant as I am, I also know how awesome and kind you are and there are also lots of people who like to take advantage of that like those so called friends of yours”
Bell and Poppy looked at each other
“Look Poppy I’m not trying to upset you I just want you to see who they really are and that you are better off without them”
“They are not like that Bell trust me”
“All right” Bell said after a minute “But when it all goes pear shaped....”
“What you’ll say ‘I told you so’” Poppy interrupted
“No, I’ll be there in a jiffy to comfort you, because that’s what friends do”
“Ok fine” Poppy replied “right that’s the cake done I’ve have to go get ready” Poppy signed off and went to go shower.
 
Later that night Poppy started to see what Bell was talking about. When she arrived with the cake Hattie only gave her a glance and a “thanks put it on the table over there”, Jasmine her other ‘so called friend” only gave her a smile before wandering off and Tina criticised what she was wearing. Only Hattie spoke to her during the night and all the conversation consisted off was what Poppy was doing for her wedding next month,
“I really appreciate this Poppy you have saved me a lot of money when I am so skint” Hattie finished before walking off. Poppy knew she wasn’t skint, she was a high flying architect whose firm had several big contract going on at once. The final realisation came at the speeches when Hattie thanked and gave out expensive gifts to her family and Jasmine and Tina. Poppy never even got a mention.
 
The same thing happened at Hattie’s wedding no mention at all, she never even said thank you in private. Jason was at the wedding and Poppy was so happy, they talk most of the night and when asked if he wanted to go somewhere more private he simply said “another time maybe I’m a bit tired, any chocolate cupcakes left”.
    Poppy decided to head home at that point but Hattie’s cousin Cornella, Cornie for short caught up to her
“Poppy there you are” she said
“Everything alright Cornie”
“Yes, my Mum just wanted to give you this” Cornie gave Poppy a bag full of gifts “it’s a thank you for all you did for the wedding, the cake was amazing”
“Oh Cornie it’s alright she’s my friend I’m glad to do it”
“But she isn’t is she, Mum went mad when she found out she wasn’t paying you said she thought she had been raised better, then not even a mention in the thank you’s that really sent her over edge. She left straight after and asked me to give you this please take it” Cornie asked Poppy smiled “I’m sorry Hattie dosen’t treat you better you are the loveliest person I’ve ever met”
“I’m sure it’s just the wedding stress” Poppy replied
“No it’s not, I’m sorry Poppy but Hattie isn’t your friend neither is Tina or Jasmine” Cornie gave her a hug then returned to the party. Poppy got in the taxi that was waiting for her and began to think about what Cornie and Bell had said.
 
Two weeks past and she heard nothing from Tina or Jasmine and when Hattie got back from her honeymoon she also heard nothing from her. Whenever she messaged them to meet up they all said they were busy. She saw Jason once or twice over the coming months but that was because he had nothing else to do. She heard from Jasmine again but only because she was announcing her pregnancy and wanted a gender reveal cake,
“You will bake one want you” Jasmine batted her big fake eye lashes
“Of course” Poppy replied “shall we all have lunch on Saturday it’s been a while since we all saw each other” Poppy asked hopefully
“Oh wish we could but Hattie is working, Tina is away with Carl and I am seeing my in laws, anther time though” Jasmine said as she walked out of the door.
 
Poppy still went out for lunch on Saturday; she had spent the past few sat at home and decided to get out plus she need to run to Primark. She decided to go to Peppers her favourite place for lunch, she and Bell use to sit in Peppers every weekend and still do when Bell come to visit. But as she walked in she noticed Hattie, Jasmine and Tina all having lunch, Jasmine had lied to her
“Can’t believe she never asked for payment” Tina said
“I know she is such a sad sack” Jasmine replied
“Thanks for telling her we were all busy today, I don’t think I can take anymore lunches with Poppy she is so pathetic” Hattie said
“Even that Bell friend of hers moved to another town to get away from her. The only good think about her is her baking skills” Tina said
“And she will do anything you ask her” Hattie put in
“She really is desperate isn’t she” Jasmine laughed
Poppy’s heart sank. She rushed out of ran up the street, Bell had been right but what had Tina been saying about Bell moving to get away from her, she bumped into Jason, a woman on his arm,
“Hi Jason” she tried to sound cheery
“Hi Poppy” he replied
“Who’s your friend”
“Tara” they woman introduced herself “I’m Jason’s girlfriend”
“Really, new girlfriend?” Poppy asked
“No we’ve been together five years, I guess he’s never motioned me” Tara said chipperly, Poppy shook her head “typical” Tara laughed. They said goodbye and walked off down the street. Poppy’s heart sank even more, Bell had never been more right in her entire life.
 
Poppy spent the next two weeks running on auto pilot, she went to work, she came home, she went to bed. Her brain was going into over drive, she didn’t know why no one liked her, was she really that desperate for friends that her judgement had been that clouded. She thought back to two years prior to when she had been attacked and had her purse stolen, no one of her so called friends had been there for her, they had told her to just go to the police or fobbed it off altogether. She had had be big cut and bruise on her face and was unable to cover it up with make up for Jasmines wedding, she told not to get in any of the photo’s or she would ruin them and then spent the entire day sat on her own.
    “I’m so sorry Pops” Bell said after Poppy finally called her and told her what happened “I glad you are alright though, I was worried and not being able to get hold of you I was going out of my mind” Bell told her
“Sorry I turned my phone off”
“It’s alright, I understand, though I still can’t believe you did that gender ravel cake”
“Last one I swear, beside I didn’t even stay”
“Really”
“Yeah I said I had a bad stomach ache, thought Jasmine screamed at me to stay away from her said she didn’t want me infecting her baby with a tummy bug”
Bell looked at her
“Wow she is dumb” she said
“So dumb” Poppy agreed
“Was Jason there” Bell asked
“Yes with his girlfriend as well”
“Sorry Pop, he probably only liked the attention you where giving him, most likely made him feel desirable”
“Yeah probably I see that now” there was silence between them for a minute
“They said something about you that day in the cafe” Poppy finally said
“What did they say” Bell’s eyes narrowed
“They said that you moved to another town to get away from me”
“BULL” Bell shouted “absolute bull, they know nothing Poppy, nothing, I felt really bad for leaving you there on your own, I wish I’d brought you with me”
“Me too” Poppy said
“Really”
“Yeah I wish I had moved with you”
“Then do it Pops, I got a spare room you can have, and it’s not like you have anything keeping you there, you could start up you own baking business like you have always wanted”
“Are you sure”
“Yes we will get to be roomies again” Bell said
“Alright I’ll do it” Poppy said
“What really”
“Yes I’ll get the house tided and sorted my contract is nearly up anyway, I’ll quit my god awful job and move in with you, why not, it’s about time I did things for me instead of other people”
“Yes Poppy that’s the attitude”
“What’s going on” Bell’s boyfriend came on to the screen
“Oh Poppy’s moving in” Bell told him
“About time you moved away from that bump and those awful friends, I’ll sort the spare room out” he said then disappeared
“And we’ll find you a boyfriend when you get here there are plenty of nice guys here not like that nob”
“Thanks Bell, I’ll start getting myself sorted”
“Ok and if those idiots asked you for anything else say no or charge them”
 
A few months past and Poppy was returning home from her last day at work when Hattie approached her
“Hey Pops how’s it going, long time no see”
“And whose fault is that, you where the one who kept saying you where busy” Poppy replied
“Well that’s life Poppy, any way how have you been, Jason said he’s not seen you in months”
“Well I’ve been busy not had the time to see him”
“Well he’s hoping you will be at his party next week. Anyway speaking of parties I’m pregnant” Hattie revealed
“Congratulations, but I don’t see what that has to do with a party”
“Well I’m having a gender reveal party so I will be needing a cake once I’ve got the gender from the doctor”
“Ok that will be £250” Poppy said
“What did you say” Hattie looked shocked
“You heard me, I’ve started a baking business so will be charging all my clients, oh and you will have to travel all the way to Bell’s to pick it up”
“What do you mean, Poppy I thought we were friends”
“Only when it’s convenient for you” Poppy said sternly
“Poppy we have always been friends” Hattie told her
“No we haven’t, I haven’t seen you in months, you always tell me you’re busy yet you have plenty of time to see Jasmine and Tina”
“Poppy that’s not true”
“Yes it is and you know it is. Let me know what you decide” Poppy turned to walk away
“What did you mean by pick it up from Bell’s are you going away or something” Hattie asked
“Yes I’m moving”
“But you can’t what about your job, what about Jason, what about me and what I need, what about everything I’ve ever done for you, you can’t charge me for a cake Poppy that’s not fair”
“Give it a rest Hattie not everything is about you and you have done naff all for me except use me for your own personal gain, and I can charge you all I want like I said I’ve started a business you won’t be getting anything for free anymore you pay up or you get nothing and as for Jason I’m sure his girlfriend will be a great comfort to him”
“You know about his girlfriend”
“Yes I do, I’m done with Jason. Goodbye Hattie” Poppy stormed inside.
 
“I’ve had Jasmine and Tina messaging me all evening calling me every filthy name under the sun and saying how selfish I am for charging Hattie for a cake” Poppy was telling Bell
“What losers let them be angry it’s their fault anyway for treating you the way they did” Bell replied “are you all packed and ready”
“Yes just my bed to take apart in the morning”
“We’ll help you with that when we arrive in the morning” Bell told her
“Thanks Bell” Poppy said, there was a knock at the door
“Jason, what are you doing her” Poppy asked after she opened the door
“Why are you moving, you can’t move”
“I want a fresh start besides I’ve got nothing keeping me here”
“What about me and the other three”
“What about you?” Poppy questioned
“What about us” Jason tried to take her hand, Poppy moved it way
“There is no us, all you’ve done is keep me on the hook, we’ve know each other for two years now and not once did you mention having a girlfriend and as for the other three they are fake friends they are only interested in me when they want something, when they don’t need anything they all of a sudden have no time for me yet they can meet each other every weekend like I don’t exist; I have had enough” Poppy told him
“Poppy come on, it’s complicated with Tara, we have been on and off for five years, we have history together” Jason said excusingly
“So my Mum and Dad are divorced and have a huge amount of history with each other but you don’t see them using their history as an excuse with other romantic interests, for god sake Jason get a grip”
Jason was silent for a moment     
“Are you really going to start charging for your cakes” he asked
“Yes like I told Hattie I’ve started a business and no one will be getting anything for free anymore. Goodbye Jason” she shut the door on his face
“What a nob” Bell said from the phone Poppy had left on.
 
The next day Bell and her boyfriend Freddie arrived and helped her pack her stuff in the van they had rented. Freddie was just taking the bed apart when Cornie arrived, Poppy and Bell when cleaning
“Cornie how are you” Poppy asked as she came through the door
“I’m fine thank you, Hattie told us what was going on and I’m so glad you are finally doing things for you, Mum sent me with some good luck gifts”
“Cornie that really sweet of you both but you didn’t have too” Poppy said taking the gifts Cornie offered her amongst it was an envelope of cash
“Cornie this is too much I can’t take this” Poppy told her
“Mum said you would say that but she insists she has been putting it aside even since you mentions wanting to own your own business she hopes it will go towards a website or something” Cornie replied
“Thank you Cornie” she gave her a hug
“Mum said we will come and visit once you have got yourself set up, is your Dad going to help you I know he is a business owner”
“Yes he is, he is coming up from London next week to help me with my business plan he’s even going to give me the deposit for the shop when I find one”
“That’s so kind of him. Right I must be off Mum’s also sent me to run a few errands” Cornie said, Poppy said goodbye as Freddie brought down her bed
“That’s the last of the packing once the cleaning is done we can get going” he said on his way out of the door
“Ok thanks Freddie, don’t forget the I need to drop the keys of at the landlords”
     They finished the cleaning and locked up the house, after dropping of the keys with the landlord they were on the motorway. Poppy was off to start her new life.
 
1 Year Later
 
Poppy sat in the kitchen of her new shop decorating cupcakes ready to sell. Her shop had opened six months prior and already it was booming, she had even hired several staff members to work in the shop and kitchen, Bell had even taken on the role of shop manager,
“Hey what did the letter you got this morning say” Bell asked as she came into the kitchen
“It’s from Cornie, an update on what’s happened this year” Poppy continued decorating
“Well what’s been going on?”
“Well, Hattie is getting divorced, turns out she an Jason had a yearlong affair which ended just before the wedding, and he wants full custody of their baby boy, Jasmine has lost her job after her boss found out she lied on her CV and apparently Tina is a con artist and has done a runner with Carl’s money they found out when her supposebly disabled father walked into their engagement party right as rain. The police are trying to track her down and are keeping a close eye on Hattie and Jasmine just in case she makes contact”
“None of that is hardly surprising, but Tina being a con artist I would never have guessed. She didn’t con you out of anything did she?”
“No she didn’t but keep an eye out for her just in case she decides to pop up anywhere around here” Poppy said
“Will do, I’ll warn Freddie as well. Are these ready” she asked about the cupcakes
“The chocolate and red velvet ones are” Poppy replied
“Great, Kirstie” Bell shouted
“Yes” a young woman came into the kitchen
“Can you pop these out please?”
“Oh great I just sold the last ones of each of these” Kirstie said taking the cupcakes and leaving the kitchen
“How did it go with Lance at the weekend I never got a chance to ask” Bell said
“It went well I’m seeing him again on Friday after work”
“Second date, told you, you would find someone here. I’ll be back in the shop” Bell left the kitchen and Poppy continued to decorate; she took a moment to think about the last year and knew moving here was the best decision she had ever made. Finally saying no and doing what was best for her even though had been tough to do was a move on the right direction.