Look at the bun Ive just baked! Poppy exclaimed, beaming as she and her mum set about making a fresh batch in the kitchen.
Poppy, when you grow up youll have your own family and youll be a brilliant cook, her mother laughed. Everyone will love and respect you, because youre a wonderful little person. I just want you to be happy.
Her mothers words echoed in Poppys ears while she tried not to wipe away the tears that streamed down her cheeks. She perched on a neighbours bench, legs trembling, everything collapsing in an instant. She remembered the day theyd been on that same bench, sharing a popsicle on a stick. That felt like another lifetime.
Im all alone in the whole wide world, Poppy thought, and theres no home for me any more. After the childrens home they gave me a room in a noisy hall, in a town that isnt even mine. I wanted to stay in my old house, but that house, the one I shared with Mum, isnt mine any longer.
Poppy was seven when, one evening on the way home from the shop, a burly man stepped out of the shadows and demanded money from her mother. Theyd spent almost everything on groceries, so the man swung a fist, and Mum stepped back, tripped, and hit her head on a stone.
Poppy knelt beside her, begging her to open her eyes, to get up, but Mum didnt hear her. A siren wailed, an ambulance arrived, and both mother and daughter were whisked away. Poppy was placed straight back in the childrens home, where she struggled to adjust to a life she never asked for.
She often returned to the bench outside the neighbours house, recalling the bedroom she once had, the photos of Mum in her arms. As she approached the old doorway, a fierce aunt sprang out, shouting:
Dont you dare come back, you orphan! This is my house now and everything in it belongs to me. Get out of here, or Ill call the police and theyll sort you out quick enough.
Poppy realised she had no one to help hershe was utterly alone.
Poppy? a voice called, pulling her from the reverie.
She looked up to see a young man smiling kindly. She didnt recognize him, still dazed from the memory flood.
Poppy, you dont remember me, but we were together in nursery and then sat sidebyside in firstgrade until you moved away they used to call us the bride and groom in the playgroup.
Mike, Mike, she whispered, the name surfacing, and she smiled. Hed grown tall and broadshouldered, a boxer who even represented his county.
I met Aunt Maud, he continued. She told me youd be due back soon; youre turning eighteen, just like me. Ive been stopping by your old house every day, hoping youd appear.
Aunt Maud, Poppy murmured, the one who loved Mum and me.
Aunt Maud, a generation older than Poppys mother, had worked alongside her, become a close friend, and often said that Poppys mum was like a little sister to her, and Poppy like a daughter.
Ive forgotten about Aunt Maud, Poppy said, glancing at Mike. She lives just three houses down.
Lets go see her, Mike replied, lifting Poppys bag which held her few belongings, a stack of papers and a handful of pounds. Theres a lot happening in our village; I know whats up with your house. Aunt Maud is waiting and said shell take you in.
Poppy nodded. They walked slowly to Aunt Mauds cottage, the woman who had tried, after Poppys mother died, to adopt her but was denied, so Poppy had been sent back to the childrens home.
When they reached the front door, Aunt Mauds eyes filled with tears as she opened it.
My dear Poppy Ive missed you so much, she said, pulling the girl into a hug and kissing her cheek. She invited Mike inside as well.
Im relieved, Mike said, youre in safe hands now. If anything happens, Aunt Maud knows where to find me, and Ill be back tomorrow.
Do come back, Mike, Aunt Maud replied, closing the door behind him. Hes a good lad, always asks after you.
Poppy settled at the kitchen table.
Ill get you something to eat, you need to rest. Did they turn you away from your old home? Im sorry I didnt warn you, but I was waiting for you. I love you, my girl. Well stay together for a while, because, as they say, two people walking together make the road feel shorter
Soon she was tucked under a warm blanket, dreaming of walking handinhand with Mum through a sunlit field, pulling up wildflowers. She awoke the next morning in good spirits. Over breakfast Aunt Maud said:
We need to sort out your paperwork at social services. Ill go with you.
Mrs. Maud, Im an adult now; I can handle my own affairs, Poppy protested.
She stepped out, heading for the bus stop, passing her old house again. A woman who now lived there called after her:
Youre still loitering around! Im sure youre up to no good, I havent seen you in ages!
Before Poppy could answer, Mikes voice boomed from behind.
Dont slander Poppy! Youll answer for defamation, he shouted, and the woman turned to him, huffing as they walked away. Shes the one who forced herself into your home. Well fight for whats right; many know she took it by trickery.
On the way to the stop Mike told her:
Theres a new café down the road, looking for staff. Its run by a friend of my father, a former soldier whos settled here. Roman Spencer promised to help you.
Sounds good, Mike, but first we need to settle the house issue.
Well sort it, Im sure justice will win out, he said confidently. If not here, well go to the county office.
The house proved trickier than expected.
You dont have the title deeds, so legally it isnt yours, a clerk warned. File a report with the police. As Poppy was about to close the office door, she heard the same neighbour from earlier on the phone, muttering, She was just here that orphan
Mike sighed heavily when Poppy told him.
Its common knowledge around here that the police chief covers things up. But we wont be frightened, right? If need be, well go up to the county. Ill stand by you.
Poppy smiled, trusting him. That evening she ran an errand for Aunt Maud, buying sugar and biscuits for tea. On her way back a tall police officer blocked the road.
Listen up, he growled, forget this house. You have three days to leave, or youll be sent where your mother is.
Poppys heart lurched; his voice sounded oddly familiar. She said nothing to Aunt Maud, and the next morning Mike arrived.
Lets head to the café; Ill introduce you to the manager. You could become the head chef one day, he grinned.
She told him about the officers threat. Roman Spencer turned out to be a genial man, eager to learn about her life and the house dispute.
If anyone threatens you, tell me, he said. I have many friends in the force from my service days.
Poppy recounted the police officers warning.
So he threatened you? In uniform? Roman asked.
She nodded.
She loved the café work. At first she was a kitchen helper, then Roman saw how deftly she chopped vegetables and promoted her to assistant chef.
You need some formal training, the owner said. Once we settle the house, Ill send you to a culinary college.
Time passed, and one autumn night Roman asked her to cover a shift for a missing cook. The streets were dark, and she wanted to stay over at the café, but thought Aunt Maud would worry, so she headed home.
She tried to stick to the welllit lane, but a narrow alley led her into deeper shadows. Out of nowhere the same police officer appeared.
You didnt listen, he snarled. Im done talking. This isnt a joke.
He flashed a knife. Poppy shut her eyes, telling herself she wasnt afraid because Mum would be there in spirit. When she opened them, several uniformed officers had already seized the man, ordering him to stand still.
Roman rushed over. Let me take you home. Weve caught your harasser. Ive tipped off my contacts; theyve been watching him for a while. Sorry I didnt warn you sooner.
The local police chief, whod been involved in shady property deals, was exposed. Within days the department restored the title deeds to Poppys house.
Mike celebrated with her, proud that justice had finally prevailed. Later, Poppy and Mike visited the graveside of her mother. Mike stepped aside, giving her space.
Mum, Mike and I live in our house now. Were married, weve renovated everything, and he loves me. I love him too. Roman said that once I finish college Ill be his righthand. She gazed at the photograph, feeling her mothers unseen smile.
