Page 99 of Second Verse

‘So you’re happy to let kids get concussions to stay in business, are you?’ Susan asked the woman in her bulldog tone. ‘You should work in the boxing industry.’

Poppy turned from the developing row, grabbing Luna’s hand. ‘I should get her home,’ she said to Norah.

‘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 wasquitethe 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...onyou,’ 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 asecond.’ 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. Fightfor. 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.

---