Poppy places a plate of scrambled eggs on the table and sits opposite Max. The sunlight streams through the sheer curtains, tinting everything a soft golden hue. She props her chin with her hand and smiles.
Max looks up from his phone.
Is she great? What made you click? he asks.
Absolutely! Poppy lights up. We chatted yesterday and discovered we share a ton of interests. She loves rock climbing too, goes to the same gym I used to attend, and reads the same books. Its like they cloned my taste and dropped her into the office.
Max laughs and reaches for his coffee.
Good for you. Youve needed a work friend for ages.
Exactly! Poppy picks up her fork but doesnt eat. She wants to keep talking. Shes also crazy about hiking. Weve already pencilled in a trip for next month. She tells everything so honestly, without any pretence.
Max nods, taking a bite of his toast.
That sounds brilliant. Can you introduce us?
Sure! Lets have a dinner this weekend. Ill cook something tasty, we can all sit down and chat.
Sounds perfect, Max replies effortlessly. Why not?
Poppy gives a satisfied nod and turns back to the eggs. Inside, everything feels bright. She has a job she loves, a wonderful boyfriend shes been with for three years, and now a new friend who fits right in. Life feels almost perfect.
Two weeks later Poppy hosts the dinner at her flat in Manchester. She scrubs the apartment until it shines and prepares Maxs favouriteroast chicken with rosemary. Ava arrives with a bouquet of tulips and a cake.
This place feels so cosy! Ava exclaims, looking around. I could stay here forever.
Poppy laughs and takes the flowers.
Thanks. Max, this is Ava. Ava, this is Max.
Max extends his hand and smiles.
Lovely to meet you. Poppy has told me so much about you, I feel like Ive known you for ages.
The feelings mutual, Ava says, shaking his hand. She always says youre the most patient person on earth.
Gotta be, Max winks at Poppy. You cant survive an active girl without patience.
The evening goes smoothly. Max and Ava hit it off instantly, discovering a shared love for classic films and 70s rock. They trade favourite movie titles and argue playfully about which is better.
Poppy sits between them, watching the conversation with a grin. Her two favourite people are getting along. What could be better?
After that night they start hanging out as a triogoing to the cinema, visiting galleries, escaping to the countryside. Max even begins suggesting they invite Ava more often, saying nothing ever gets boring with her.
Poppy is delighted.
Gradually, however, she starts noticing odd changes. Max stays later at work more often than before, when he used to leave promptly. He texts her less during the day and calls only when necessary. When Poppy brings up future plansbuying a house, weddingMax replies tersely, as if the topics weigh on him.
Ava also seems different. Occasionally Poppy catches Avas gaze lingering on her, quick and evaluating, as if Ava wants to say something but pulls back, then smiles and changes the subject.
One evening Poppy is in the living room while Max cooks in the kitchen. His phone lies on the table beside her. The screen flashesa message appears.
Poppy glances at it instinctively. The sender is Ava. Its almost midnight. The text is brief: Thanks for today.
Poppys heart tightens. She puts the phone down and stares at the wall. What does it mean? When did they meet? Max said hed been stuck at work.
She pushes the thoughts aside, convincing herself theyre just friends, that shes overreacting. Yet a knot stays in her chest.
In March the three of them drive up to a cottage in the Lake District, a trip theyve been planning for months. Poppy has been dreaming of weekend walks in the woods, evenings by the fire, and long hikes. Avas excitement is immediate, and Max is all for it. They rent a lakeside cabin, bring tents and climbing gear. From the first day, however, the atmosphere feels off.
Poppy notices Max and Ava exchanging glances, falling silent whenever she steps into the room. On the second day they walk together along the lake while Poppy rests after a climb. Max explains he was simply showing Ava the old stone chapel the local ranger mentioned.
Poppy nods, but something inside her tightens.
On the final night they sit around the fire. Both Max and Ava look uneasy, guilty. Max avoids Poppys eyes, and Ava does the same. Poppy tries to draw them into conversation, but they answer in short, clipped sentences.
That night Poppy cant sleep. It feels as though something has cracked beyond repair.
A week after returning, Max sends her a message: Poppy, we need to talk. Meet me at the café?
Poppy sits at her desk, staring at her phone, a cold dread crawling up her spine.
At five oclock she arrives at the café. Max is already at a window table, a cup of tea steaming in front of him. Ava sits opposite, her eyes downcast.
Poppy pauses in the doorway, a flash of wanting to turn and leave, but her legs carry her to the table. She slides into the seat, coat still on.
Whats happening? she asks, looking between them, both faces bearing guilt.
Max remains silent for a long moment, tearing a napkin apart absentmindedly. Finally he looks up.
Poppy, I dont know how to say this. We didnt plan it. It just happened.
Poppy clenches her fists under the table.
In the Lake District we finally realized we fell for each other, Max whispers. We tried to fight it. We really did. But we cant hide it any longer.
Avas tears spill down her cheeks, smearing the mascara.
Poppy, Im sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Youre my best friend, but this this is stronger than us.
Ava reaches out toward Poppy.
Poppy pulls her hand back. Anger, hurt, betrayal churn inside her, a lump lodged in her throat.
Stronger than us? she demands, eyes flashing. Youve been behind my back while I was planning our future? While I was dreaming about a wedding, kids, a life together? How could you both do that? What did I do to deserve this?
Poppy, we didnt want
Didnt want? she raises her voice. A few other patrons glance over, but she doesnt care. You met behind my back! You wrote each other at night! And now you say you didnt want it? Thats betrayal, Max. The worst thing you could do to me.
I know, Max says, staring at the table. I know I was selfish. I cant keep lying to you. I cant pretend everythings fine.
And you? Poppy turns to Ava. You said I was your best friend. How could you?
Ava sobs, covering her face with her hands.
Im sorry. I didnt see it coming. We just talked, spent time together, and then it turned into more than friendship.
Poppy stands. The chair screeches as it slides back. She grabs her bag and looks at them one last time.
I dont want to see either of you again. Never.
She walks out of the café without looking back. The night air is chilly; tears stream down her face, untouched. She walks straight ahead, not caring which way, until she reaches the underground station.
The next day Poppy submits a transfer request to the London branch of her company. Her manager is surprised but doesnt press for details. Her good reputation speeds the approval.
Ava tries to callPoppy blocks the number. Max sends a few textsshe deletes them without opening. Max clears out his things while shes out. Poppy returns to an empty flat, standing in the middle of the room, staring at the spot where his shoes used to be.
Two weeks later Poppy is settled in a flat in Camden. Her parents disapprove of the move, but she is determined to start over, away from any reminder of Max and Ava.
The first months are hard. She returns to climbing, now solo, which steadies her mind.
One day a mutual acquaintance from Manchester messages her: Max and Ava have moved in together and have been living as a couple for two months.
Poppy reads the note and turns off her phone.
The pain doesnt vanish, but it dulls. She no longer spends sleepless nights replaying their final meeting. She simply moves forward, day by day.
Poppy hasnt just lost a boyfriend and a friend; shes lost faith in peoples honesty, in the idea that friendship can be genuine, that love isnt so easily broken.
She decides to rebuild her life, this time more cautiously letting new people in.
The hurt will linger for a long time, but Poppy knows she will survive. She has no other choice.
