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.
‘I knew it. I knew one day we’d agree on something,’ Norah said.
‘I agree in general, but that place is still ridiculous for the price,’ Poppy smiled at her beautiful wife. They’d been married six months, living together with the kids for a year. Luna’s bedroom currently had a dividing wall built into it, so the now eight-year-olds could have their own rooms, but it wasn’t a long-term solution. The new family had outgrown Poppy’s mother’s house, and it was on the market.
‘Are you sure you want to leave this place?’ Norah asked. ‘I know it’s going to be hard to let go of it. Lots of memories.’
Poppy’s smile faded, but only a little. ‘I think my mum would like to know the house was here when I needed it. But she’d understand that we have to move on.’
‘From what I remember of your mum, that sounds about right,’ Norah agreed.
Poppy sighed. ‘Speaking of mums...’
‘No,’ Norah said automatically. ‘We’re not talking about her. I’m in a good mood. Let’s not spoil it.’
‘She called me today,’ Poppy told her. She was waiting for the right moment to bring it up, but with two kids, two jobs (Norah now had a part-time admin job in the school office), Norah’s art degree, and Poppy’s work on a handful of new solo tracks, there was never a great time. The only time to talk was always right now. And sooner was better for difficult conversations, anyway. Poppy had learned that the hard way.
‘She what?!’ Norah asked, agog.
‘Yep. She wants to sort it out,’ Poppy explained neutrally.
‘And she called you?’ Norah asked.
‘I think she knew that was the only way this was going to work. She says she accepts the situation. And she wants to see her grandson again.’
‘I hope you reminded her she’s got two grandchildren now,’ Norah said.
Poppy smiled. ‘I wouldn’t hold your breath on that.’
‘Luna is my daughter now, and Freddie is your son,’ Norah said. ‘If she’s talking about acceptance, that’s gonna have to go in that bloody head of hers.’
‘But I don’t have a spouse. And Max is still around. So my role is probably a bit confusing to her,’ Poppy mused.
‘Yeah, Max is doing better,’ Norah acquiesced. ‘And he is and always will be Freddie’s dad. But this is my family. We’re a package deal. I’m not letting her get away with pushing her will on me anymore.’
‘I’m pretty sick of that too, believe me,’ Poppy assured her. ‘But she sounded bloody miserable. I felt sorry for her. I’m not saying you have to, though.’
‘Poppy, I know that if this was your mum, it would be different. But she’s... Well, you know what she is.’
‘Well, I think change may be happening,’ Poppy said philosophically. ‘Very, very slowly, of course. But she said she was sorry she missed our wedding.’
Norah was further amazed. ‘She didn’t.’
‘She did,’ Poppy said. ‘I actually think she meant it.’
Norah shook her head. ‘Great. I just got used to her being a stubborn old bigot, and she’s gone and turned it around. Just perfect.’
Suddenly, they heard Luna and Freddie thundering down the stairs, their small eight-year-old bodies somehow managing to imply that a pack of hippos was in the house. They exploded into the living room.
‘Is it tea yet?’ they both questioned.
‘We’re getting pizza delivered because we’re both knackered,’ Poppy told the kids.
They turned and high-fived each other. Well, they attempted it. But Luna accidentally missed and slapped Freddie in the face. ‘Sorry, Freds,’ she said with a sly grin.
‘Luna!’ Poppy said sternly.
But Freddie wasn’t waiting for his sister to get a mere telling off. He gave her a shove, and she fell over, surprised. But she recovered quickly, grabbing him by the ankle and pulling him down to the floor. Before the parents knew what was what, the kids were in full wrestling mode.
‘Jesus!’ Norah yelled. ‘Stop it!’
