‘We’ll walk with you,’ Norah said with a smile. ‘I better just tell...’

But she didn’t have to tell anyone anything. Because her mother and Max were coming over. Max’s face looked like a slapped arse, but her mother’s expression put it in the shade. She looked ready to choke Poppy to death.

Thirty-Nine

‘Well, that was quite the show,’ Mrs Cauldwell spat, her furious eyes locked on Poppy.

Poppy tried not to look away, but it was like looking straight at bloody Medusa. But Poppy was determined not to turn to stone today. What Norah had said inside the bouncy castle... Poppy wasn’t sure what it meant for them. She hoped Norah hadn’t simply been suffering from a lack of oxygen.

‘Mum, can you just let everyone breathe for a second,’ Norah begged.

‘I just can’t understand why I keep finding this person... on you,’ she sputtered, jabbing a thumb in Poppy’s direction.

‘Yeah, what’s that all about?’ Max asked.

‘Max, you don’t get an opinion about this,’ Norah said, glancing at Freddie anxiously.

‘Doesn’t he?’ Poppy checked.

‘No, of course not,’ Norah said.

‘So he’s not... back with you?’ Poppy asked quietly. She was aware Freddie was listening.

Norah looked horrified. ‘That was never on the cards.’ She looked at her mother. ‘Not for a second.’ Mrs Caldwell held her daughter’s gaze, unashamed.

Max jumped in. ‘Are you sure? Because your mum seemed to think maybe we might... ya know...’

Norah shook her head. ‘No. Never. Move on.’

Max’s shoulders slumped. He turned to Mrs Cauldwell. ‘Thanks a bunch!’ he said and stomped off. He stopped and turned, realising something. ‘Oh. Bye, son!’ he said.

‘Bye, Dad,’ Freddie waved.

Poppy couldn’t believe she’d listened to Mrs Cauldwell again. Norah had never even considered reuniting with Max, which meant that the declaration of love under the bouncy castle was an even bigger deal.

It was time to rip the Band-Aid off in one quick move.

Poppy leant down to Freddie. ‘Freddie, I just wanted to warn you that, with your mother’s permission, I’m about to tell your grandma off.’

‘You’ve got it,’ Norah said, looking amazed and slightly impressed, which Poppy didn’t hate.

‘You OK with it, both of you?’ Poppy asked Freddie, as well as Luna.

Freddie looked confused. ‘Was she naughty?’

‘She was,’ Norah told her son.

‘But it’s going to be alright,’ Poppy added. ‘Sometimes grownups have to do this. When it’s something that you have to fight about. Fight for. You understand?’

‘Yeah,’ Freddie said.

Luna yawned. ‘Hurry up, Mum. I’m hungry, and I need a wee.’

‘I’ll be as quick as I can,’ Poppy assured her daughter. She stood and turned to Norah’s mother. ‘Mrs Cauldwell, I need to say something to you,’ Poppy said.

‘And what might that be?’ the woman answered coldly.

‘I love your daughter,’ Poppy told her.

Norah's eyes were shining. ‘And I love Poppy.’

Poppy took her hand and squeezed it. Norah squeezed it back. Poppy felt a shot of pure joy.

Mrs Cauldwell was less impressed. ‘Is that right?’ she scoffed.

‘Yes,’ Poppy said, turning her attention back to her for a moment. ‘And I’m going to ask her on a date. I think she’s going to say yes,’ Poppy said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

‘That’s right. I am,’ Norah said quickly.

Poppy smiled at her. ‘Great.’ She turned back to Mrs Cauldwell. ‘I don’t want your opinion on that. The only opinion that I will give any credence to is Norah’s. You won’t get between us again.’

Mrs Cauldwell stared, open-mouthed, but Poppy wasn’t quite done. ‘Oh, and don’t try to shame me by dragging my mother into this again. I know she loved me, and I know she was proud of me, and I knew her better than you ever could by quite a long way. That’s another subject you should keep quiet about.’

Mrs Cauldwell’s face was as tight as a duck’s arse, and Poppy thought she was about to get screamed at. But the woman just shook her head, looking at her daughter. ‘I guess you can’t save someone from themselves.’

‘That’s right. You can’t,’ Norah said pointedly.

‘I’m going home,’ Mrs Caldwell said. ‘But you should find somewhere else to live.’

‘I just lost my job,’ Norah pointed out. ‘I need a minute to get that sorted. I trust you won’t make us homeless just yet?’

Her mother sighed. ‘Of course I wouldn’t. I’m not a monster, Norah.’

Norah looked at her mother. ‘I know that. You’re just very afraid.’

Mrs Cauldwell’s eyes welled. ‘I’ve only ever been afraid for you,’ she said.

‘Well, don’t,’ Norah said. ‘I don’t need it. I never needed it.’

Mrs Cauldwell looked like she wanted to say something, but she seemed empty of retorts at last. She turned and walked away. Poppy watched Norah watch her mother leave. There was sadness in her eyes, but also relief.

‘You guys want to come to ours for a bit?’ Poppy asked Norah and Freddie.

‘You got snacks?’ Freddie asked.

Poppy laughed. ‘Of course.’

‘Let’s just go! I’m desperate to go the toilet,’ Luna said.