‘I went under the bouncy castle,’ Freddie admitted glumly.

‘I packed spare trousers, Freds,’ Norah assured him.

Poppy and Norah took the hands of their children, as well as each other’s hands, and left the madness of the fayre, heading to the peace of Poppy’s house.

Forty

The kids were fast asleep, both tucked into either end of Luna’s bed. Downstairs, the adults were talking about the past on the old couch.

‘And you believed that I was too grief-stricken to understand what I wanted?’ Norah said.

‘It made sense at the time,’ Poppy shrugged.

‘But why didn’t you come and tell me what she said? I would have told you it was bullshit,’ Norah asked.

‘She had me convinced you weren’t in your right mind. I thought it was selfish to involve you in the decision to break it off. I didn’t want to give myself the chance to let you change my mind,’ Poppy explained.

‘You didn’t just leave because you were bored?’ Norah asked.

‘Bored?’ Poppy repeated in disbelief. ‘Norah, I was mad about you,’ she assured her. ‘It’s half the reason I went into that horrible band. I was broken. I needed something else to think about.’

‘I was broken, too,’ Norah said. ‘For a long time.’

‘I’m sorry. I should have talked to you. I did try. Eventually,’ Poppy explained.

‘Yeah, I remember that. I was too angry to listen by then,’ Norah sighed.

‘But you really don’t want to get back with Max?’ Poppy asked tentatively. ‘You’re certain?’

‘I went to a solicitor last week if that answers your question,’ Norah said.

Poppy smiled, relieved. ‘That’s what’s held me back recently. I didn’t want to mess that up. And your mother said...’

‘God, that woman,’ Norah said, simmering with anger.

‘It’s a shame she’s too old to slap now,’ Poppy noted.

‘Tell me about it,’ Norah concurred.

Norah moved closer, her free hand cupping Poppy’s cheek. ‘Actually, forget her. We can fight for us now.’

Poppy closed the gap between them, kissing Norah deeply, pouring all her pent-up love and regret into that kiss. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless.

‘I want to take you upstairs,’ Poppy said. ‘But the kids...’

‘The sofa is fine,’ Norah assured her, closing the distance between them, her lips meeting Poppy's in a tender, yet urgent kiss. The years of separation and unspoken words melted away as they clung to each other, the kiss deepening with every passing second.

Poppy’s hands began to explore, tracing the contours of Norah’s body through her clothing, feeling the warmth and softness beneath. Norah responded eagerly, her own hands slipping under Poppy’s shirt, savouring the feel of her skin.

Their kisses grew more passionate, clothes quickly discarded in their urgency to know each other completely. Norah marvelled at the beauty of Poppy’s body; every curve and line more perfect than she remembered. She took her time, kissing her way down her neck, her hands exploring every inch.

Norah’s breath hitched as Poppy’s mouth found more sensitive spots, her body arching in response. She pulled Poppy closer, their bodies pressing together, the heat between them rising.

***

As the early morning light began to filter through the curtains, Norah and Poppy lay entwined, sated and content. Poppy rested her head on Norah’s chest, listening to the steady beat of her heart.

‘The kids will be up soon,’ Norah whispered.

‘Great. Let’s take them to get breakfast,’ Poppy suggested.

‘You have the energy for that?’ Norah asked, stunned.

They’d had a long night in the best possible sense. Norah’s body was humming with more usage than it had known in forever.

‘I’ll find it,’ Poppy told her.

Norah snuggled up to her. ‘It’s gonna be a bit harder, us dating. With the kids, I mean. Less free time for all the...’ Norah began, looking for the right word.

‘Romance?’ Poppy filled in.

Norah chuckled, embarrassed. ‘Yeah. That.’

‘I think we’re gonna find a way,’ Poppy said confidently.

Norah snuggled in deeper. She was pretty sure that Poppy was right. They’d find the time for this love to grow once more. Norah knew it was going to take work, but she believed they could make it. She was deeply determined never to let this love be misplaced again. She felt like the universe had smiled on her by bringing Poppy back into her life. And you didn’t throw away that kind of luck. You’d have to be an idiot.

Forty-One

Three Years Later

Poppy frowned at the Zoopla listing that Norah was showing her on the couch. ‘That’s too much.’

Norah took the iPad back with a sigh. ‘But it’s so nice.’

‘It’s pokey,’ Poppy pointed out.

‘It’s high spec,’ Norah declared passionately.

‘Great. The kids can sleep in the two lovely storage boxes, and we can climb into bed in a simply gorgeous airing cupboard,’ Poppy said.

‘Which would you rather, a tiny, nice house or a large grotty house?’ Norah asked.

‘I don’t see why it has to be either,’ Poppy said.

Norah gave her a look.

‘Fine, I guess it’s the small nice one,’ Poppy admitted.