Page 102 of Second Verse

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 herby 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 simplygorgeousairing cupboard,’ Poppy said.

‘Which would you rather, a tiny,nicehouse or a largegrottyhouse?’ 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 calledyou?’ 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 gottwograndchildren 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 roleisprobably a bit confusing to her,’ Poppy mused.

‘Yeah, Max is doing better,’ Norah acquiesced. ‘And he is and always will be Freddie’s dad. Butthisis 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 bloodymiserable. I felt sorry for her. I’m not sayingyouhave to, though.’

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