Page 5 of The Situation Ship
“I’ve made you who you are. Your aunt would turn in her grave to see how you’re treating me!” he whined, but she didn’t buy his crocodile tears.
“You thought I didn’t know about the pills you were feeding my aunt. How you made her dependent on you. How you wanted her to slip me the same pills, which she tried and failed. You controlled her for years and used her to get your claws into me. Leave, unless you want the police to take a closer look at her autopsy. I might suggest there might have been something wrong with her medication. Smile politely, fake tears, and never see me again,” Poppy told him, finally daring to stand up to the weasel of a man she’d been terrified of for over a decade.
The priest interrupted at the perfect time.“Ms Roe, if you’d like to follow the casket out, we can start making our way to the cemetery.”
“Thank you. I’ll walk with you,” Poppy said, wondering where Joshua had gone. He’d been beside her a minute ago. He was supposed to help shield her from everyone.
“Mr. Duggery will be joining you in the car?” the priest asked politely.
“Oh no, he won’t be coming with us. He isn’t feeling well and is leaving early,” Poppy replied.
He gave her a confused look, and she nodded, biting her lip as if to hold back a sob. She was actually trying to stifle laughter. The relief, joy, and elation swelling in her chest nearly made her break character. The two monsters in her closet were gone.
At the church doors, they watched as the casket was loaded. From the corner of Poppy’s eye, she noticed her security team stepping forward to escort Mr Duggery to another car. To onlookers, it would only appear that she was giving her overwhelmed, grieving manager a private escort home. Knowing what was best for him, he didn’t protest.
“Where’s Dug going?” Joshua asked, putting out his cigarette. So that was where he had gone.
“I fired him.”
“You what?” Joshua’s eyes widened in shock.
“I don’t need him anymore, and my aunt certainly doesn’t,” Poppy said bluntly, opening the car door. Joshua froze, staring at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Are you getting in?” she asked.
Joshua nodded. “Are you sure you should be making such big decisions right now? You’re grieving,” he said as he climbed in beside her.
“Exactly. Now that Martha’s gone, I realise how important life is, and I think I need to make some changes.” She removed her shades and placed them on her lap.
Joshua smiled nervously as their driver pulled out of the church courtyard. “Whatever you think is best,” he said, taking her hand.
Poppy rested her head on his shoulder and stared out the window. Her aunt was dead, her manager was gone, and the gruelling tour she had devoted the last year of her life to was over.
The skies cleared as the crowds dispersed, leaving Poppy alone at the grave. A rare lightness filled her heart. She twirled a vibrant poppy between her fingers, reminding herself to bring flowers to her parents’ grave next week. Poppy had chosen this site for her aunt, who was buried here against her wishes. This burial felt like a final act of defiance against a woman who had always kept her from visiting her parents. A tear rolled down her cheek as she mourned the life that had been stolen the day her parents had passed away.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you alone too long,” she murmured. “The press will expect me to stop by in the coming weeks, so at least I’ll be able to see my parents and spend some time here with those who love me.” She sniffled, dabbing her eyes.
“Excuse me?”
The soft voice startled her; she’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t heard the woman’s approach.
“You made me jump! Do you want me to fall in?” Poppy clutched her chest.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I wanted to wait until you were alone before we spoke.” The woman looked around the same age as Poppy, though she was heavily tattooed and wore far more black eyeliner. Her gothic style suited the cemetery.
“Thank you for coming,” Poppy said, quickly remembering to wear her mask. “How did you know my aunt?”
“I didn’t. I came here to talk to you,” the woman said bluntly.
Poppy glanced over her shoulder at her security team, waiting by her car on the main road. Joshua was with them in a cloud of smoke. She wasn’t sure what she hated more – smoking or vaping.
“Me? I’m not giving interviews right now. Unless you want me to sign something?” This really wasn’t the time or place.
“Oh, I’m not a journalist. I’d never be so disrespectful. I’m not really a fan of yours either,” admitted the woman. “Sorry, no offence.”
“None taken,” Poppy said, slightly amused but wondering if she should be concerned. The woman didn’t seem dangerous– just nervous.
“Today probably wasn’t the best day for this,” she babbled, “but it was the only way to see you. I know you have no reason to trust someone approaching you in a cemetery, butI had to tell you… I don’t think Ms Roe’s death was an accident.”
