Page 63 of Second Verse

Now

As Norah and Poppy made their way through Norah’s soon-to-be former living room, carrying boxes of Norah's stuff, they could hear Max in the kitchen muttering, ‘No one better touch my pint glasses.’ He had been arguing with Norah about what belonged to him for the past hour but had thankfully retreated to regroup.

‘Do you think he'lleverstop being a massive pain in the arse?’ Poppy asked Norah as she struggled to keep her box balanced.

‘Probably not,’ Norah replied with a sigh. ‘But it won’t be my problem soon.’

Just then, Max made a reappearance, arms crossed and scowl firmly in place. ‘What are you two doing?’ he demanded.

‘I’m moving my stuff out because you had an affair,’ Norah said wearily. ‘Did you forget?’

That flustered him, but only briefly. ‘No, I mean... That's mine,’ he said, pointing to a cream lamp poking out of Poppy’s box. ‘And that picture frame, too.’

Poppy rolled her eyes. The bloody gall he was displaying. He should have been crying and begging for forgiveness for betraying his marriage and his family. And he was nitpicking over lamps. She wanted to smack him. But Poppy knew it wasn’t her place to pop him one. She was here to pack.

‘Hey, Max,’ Poppy said from between gritted teeth. ‘Why don't you go fetch us some drinks? We could all use a break.’

Max shot her a look. ‘Daisy—’ he began.

‘POPPY,’ Norah said loudly.

It was the first time Poppy had seen her get angry with him all day.

He rolled his eyes. ‘Poppy, I need to talk to my wife. Alone.’

Poppy looked at Norah, and she shook her head.

‘No, I’m good where I am, thanks,’ Poppy told him.

Max looked incensed. He pointed at Poppy’s box. ‘Fine. But that bloody lamp stays.’

‘Are you serious? I’m giving youallthe big furniture,’ Norah said.

‘Only because it won’t fit at your mum’s,’ he said smugly.

Norah shook her head. ‘Fine, take the lamp, you petty...’ She let the sentence trail off.

Max stepped towards Poppy, a smug smile on his annoying face.

‘No, allow me,’ Poppy said, putting the box down and taking the lamp out. He reached out, and Poppy proffered it towards his greedy little hands. Just before his fingertips made contact, Poppy dropped the lamp. CRACK. It was shattered beyond repair. ‘Oh, god, sorry!’ she said.

‘You did that on purpose!’ Max raged.

‘Who, me?’ Poppy asked, picking up the box and turning to take it out to the van.

She caught Norah’s eye, expecting to see annoyance. Instead, they were twinkling with delight.

She took the box out, and Norah was right behind her with her own box. They loaded them into the back of the white van together.

‘You’re the best,’ Norah said.

Poppy felt something about that compliment but tried to play it cool. ‘I’m a drama queen,’ Poppy said. ‘But he had it coming.’

‘He sure did. This whole thing has been a nightmare, but knowing you have my back is... It’s nice.’ Norah pushed the boxes deeper into the van and went back into the house for the next box.

Poppy realised she was blushing. She never blushed. What the hell?

But it got worse. As they continued to move boxes and furniture, Poppy found herself thinking about how nice Norah looked with sweat on her brow and determination in her eyes. She quickly shrugged off those thoughts, chalking them up to exhaustion and stress from the move.

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