Mom, look at the bun Ive just baked! Poppy chirped, her eyes sparkling as she and her mother set about making a fresh batch of crumpets.
Darling, when you grow up youll have a family of your own and youll be the best homechef in the neighbourhood, her mum laughed, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. Everyone will love you because youre a wonderful little soul. I just want you to be happy.
Her mothers words lingered in Poppys ears as she sat on a low wall outside the council estate, feeling as if the whole world had suddenly gone topsyturvy. She remembered sitting on that very wall years ago, sharing an ice lolly with a stick, back in a life that now seemed a distant dream.
Im the only one left in the whole wide world, Poppy thought, and theres no home for me any more. After the childrens home they put me in a tiny room in a shared house, but its noisy, its foreign, and I just want to be back where I belong. The house I grew up in with Mum isnt mine any longer.
She was seven when, on a chilly evening after a shop run, a hulking bloke swaggered up the driveway and demanded cash from her mother. Theyd spent almost all their money on biscuits and jam, so the man raised his voice. Mum stepped back, tripped over a cobblestone and hit her head hard.
Poppy knelt beside her, urging her to open her eyes, to get up, but Mum didnt hear a thing. The wail of an ambulance cut through the night, and both were whisked away in a white van. Poppy was soon placed in a childrens home, where she struggled to adjust to a life that felt anything but cosy.
She often found herself perched on the same wall, staring at the picture of the house shed once called home the bed shed slept in, the photographs of Mum in her arms. One day, as she approached the front door, a fiercelooking aunt burst out, shrieking:
You dont belong here, you orphan! This is my house now, and everything in it is mine. Get out, or Ill call the police and theyll sort you out faster than you can say tea.
Poppy realised no one would come to her rescue. She was truly on her own.
A sudden voice snapped her out of her reverie. Hey, Poppy! A lanky young man with a warm grin appeared, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Dont you remember me? We were in the same kindergarten, then shared a desk in Year1 before you left. They used to call us the bride and groom in the playground, he said.
Mike? Poppy blurted, a smile creeping onto her face. Youve grown into a tall, broadshouldered boxer now, havent you?
Mike nodded. I met Aunt Toni, she told me youd be back soon youre turning eighteen, same as me. I swing by your street every day, hoping to catch a glimpse of you.
Aunt Toni right! Shes the one who adored Mum and me, Poppy remembered. Toni was a decade older than Poppys mother, theyd worked together, and Toni often treated Mum like a younger sister and Poppy like a daughter.
Ive forgotten about Toni, she lives three houses down, Mike said, glancing at the battered bag slung over Poppys shoulder, which held a few clothes, some papers, and a few crumpled pounds. Theres a lot happening in this village. I know who owns your house, and Tonis waiting to take you in.
Poppy gave a small nod. They walked slowly toward Tonis cottage, a modest semidetached that had once tried to adopt her before the authorities intervened.
When Toni opened the door, a wave of tears escaped her eyes. My dear Poppy Im so glad youre here, she embraced her, then turned to Mike. Come in, love, youre welcome.
Mike chuckled, Im safe now youre in good hands. If anything comes up, Aunt Toni knows where to find me, and Ill drop by tomorrow.
Do come again, Mike, Toni cooed, closing the door behind him. Youre a proper lad, always asking about her.
Poppy perched at the kitchen table. Lets get you something to eat, love. Youve been through a lot. Did they let you back into your house? No? Im sorry, I should have warned you. Ive been waiting for you. I love you, my little girl. As they say, Two heads are better than one, and the road feels shorter together.
Soon she was tucked under a warm blanket, dreaming of strolling through a meadow with Mum, pulling at bright flowers. She awoke the next morning cheerful, and over breakfast Toni said, Youll need to sort out your paperwork at the council office. Ill go with you.
Dont be daft, Aunt Toni, Poppy replied, Im an adult now, I can handle my own affairs. She stepped out, heading for the bus stop, passing her old house once more. A woman who now occupied the front garden shouted:
Youre back again, youll steal something, wont you? My eyes have been watching you!
Before Poppy could answer, Mikes voice boomed from behind. Dont defame Poppy! Youll answer for that, he warned, and the woman scuttled away, muttering about how the house had been taken unfairly.
On the way to the stop, Mike mentioned a new café that had just opened nearby, run by a former army man named Simon Clarke. Simons looking for staff. Hell sort you out, love.
Sounds good, Mike, but first we need to settle the house issue, Poppy replied.
Lets give it a go, Mike said confidently. If it doesnt work here, well hit the road.
It turned out the house wasnt that simple. If you dont have a title deed, the law wont recognise you as the owner, the police officer had told them. File a report, but make sure youre not caught off guard. As Poppy was about to close the council office door, she heard the woman on the street whisper, She just left that orphan
Mike sighed heavily. Everyone in the village knows whats happening at the police station. The chief is protecting the wrong people. But we wont be scared, right? If we have to, well go up to the county office. Ive got your back.
Poppy smiled, believing him. That evening she popped into the corner shop for sugar and biscuits for tea, as Aunt Toni had asked. On her way back, a tall police officer blocked the road.
Listen up, he growled, Forget about your house. Youve got three days to disappear, or youll end up where your mother is.
Poppys heart hammered; his voice sounded oddly familiar. She said nothing to Toni, and the next morning Mike appeared.
Lets go to the café. Ill introduce you to Simon; you could become the head chef one day, he grinned.
She told him about the previous nights encounter. Simon turned out to be a kindly fellow, probing about her life and the house.
If anyone gives you trouble, tell me, he said. I have plenty of mates in the force.
Poppy recounted the police officers threat. He threatened you? In a uniform? Simon asked, eyebrows raised.
Yes, she nodded.
She loved the café work, starting as a kitchen assistant and soon being promoted to souschef after Simon saw how swiftly she diced carrots.
Youll need some formal training, the owner said. Once we sort your house, Ill send you to culinary college.
Time passed. One autumn night Simon asked Poppy to cover a shift for a missing cook. The streets were dark, lamplight flickering. She considered staying at the café, but thought of Aunt Toni worrying, so she headed home.
She stuck to the welllit path, but a narrow alley plunged into shadow. Out stepped the same uniformed officer, knife glinting in his hand.
You didnt listen, he hissed. Im not playing games.
Poppy shut her eyes, believing her mother would appear and protect her. When she opened them, several officers had already seized the man, cuffing him and shouting, Hold it right there!
Simon rushed over. Let me get you home, love. Weve caught your bully. Id told my contacts about him; theyve been watching his shady dealings for ages. Hell be dealt with properly.
It turned out the officer had been part of a ring selling off disused properties. The police raided the operation, recovered the missing title deeds, and handed them over to Poppy.
Michaelher new boyfriendcelebrated with her, saying justice had finally had its day. Months later, Poppy and Michael visited her mothers grave, standing side by side.
Mum, Michael and I are living in our house now. Were married, weve renovated it, and its lovely. He loves me, I love him, and Simon promised that once I finish college Ill be his righthand woman, Poppy whispered, eyes on the weatherworn photograph. It felt as if her mothers gentle smile was looking back, proud and approving.
