Page 29 of Second Verse

But when she finished drying her hands, she realised her mother wasn’t unloading; she was staring at her, arms crossed. ‘OK, to hell with it. Spill.’

‘What?’

‘I’ve been waiting for days!’ her mother cried.

‘For...’

‘You went to speak to Norah, and you’ve not said a peep since.’

Poppy was trying to be stoic about it. She wanted to enjoy her new little secret. But she should have known her mother wouldn’t let that happen, the nosy mare.

‘Mum, I’m...’

‘Was it tough? Do you want to get it out? You can have a cry, love,’ her mother said gently.

Poppy folded her arms. ‘You’re assuming I got rejected?’

Her mother’s eyes widened in horror. ‘Oh. Um... I mean, no. It’s just because you didn’t say anything. I thought that meant you were feeling sad about it.’

‘It’s private, that’s all.’

Her mother’s interest was piqued. ‘Isit? How private, exactly?’

‘Stop being such a sticky beak, would you?’

Her mother began to smirk. ‘OK, Pop. I’ll say no more about it.’

‘And stop looking like that,’ Poppy cried.

Her mother turned back to the dishwasher. ‘I think I have all the information I need. For now.’

‘You don’t know anything.’

‘OK. Sure.’

‘Cut that out.’

Her mother put her hands in the air. ‘I’m a closed book on the subject. Anyway, what would you like for dinner? That’s if you have time. You might need to be getting out soon?’ she asked neutrally. However, the question was anything but—she was fishing.

‘Yes, I’m going out. I’m gonna grab something,’ Poppy said casually.

‘Out. Yes. With the band, I expect?’ her mother said, getting glasses out and placing them on the side.

‘I’m not saying anything else,’ Poppy told her firmly.

‘No, of course not.’

Poppy headed upstairs to shower and get ready. She could hear her mother laughing to herself.

***

Poppy texted Norah to say she was outside. She wouldn’t have rung the bell at gunpoint.

Norah came to the door. ‘Hi,’ she said with a lovely shy smile.

‘Hi. Your mum about?’ Poppy asked nervously.

‘No, don’t worry. She’s at her book club,’ she said, stepping back to allow Poppy entry.

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