Again Mary and her housemate arrive with another man. Theyre already a little tipsy, and Poppy slips into a corner behind the nightstand.
Nowhere to hide its snowing outside. Im fed up with everything. In the summer Ill finish my ninthgrade exams and head to town. Ill enrol at the teachertraining college and become a teacher. Its only ten miles to Ashford, but Ill live in the halls.
Mary and her guests settle at the kitchen table. Theres a clink as someone pours a drink, the smell of bangers fills the air. Poppy swallows hard.
Wait a minute! Marys voice cracks.
Whats wrong with you?
You two
Its the first time weve had two, says Mike, Marys housemate.
A crash of dishes follows, a rustle, a hiss. Poppy curls tighter into the corner. The noise suddenly stops.
Listen, Mick, shes asleep, Mike says.
Everyone says shes a good girl, but theres something about her
Listen, she has a daughter
What daughter?
Poppy, shes grown up now. She must be hiding in a room.
Bring her here, Mikes voice brightens.
Poppy, where are you? Mike steps into the room, sees Poppy and smiles a grim smile. Come sit with us!
Im fine here, she mutters.
Dont be shy, Mike tries to hug her.
Poppy grabs the vase on the nightstand and hurls it at Mikes head. Glass shatters. She bolts from the room.
Hold her! John shouts. But Poppy is already at the front door. Theres no time for shoes; she darts out in socks, old shorts and a Tshirt.
Two men rush after her. The village lane is empty. Where can she run in the snow at night? Behind her, shouts echo. In a huge house she passes, a dog barks, then a voice yells at the animal.
Poppy tears at the gate and pounds on the door. A fortyyearold man opens it.
Help! she whispers, pleading with his eyes.
Come in! he grabs her arm and shuts the door.
John, whos that? a woman steps onto the porch.
The girl, the host nods. There are men after her.
Quick, inside! Well sort everything there, the woman says, pulling Poppy by the arm.
Poppy, behave! Mikes voice crackles from outside.
John, dont get involved! the woman yells. Get inside!
From the street come more shouts, a dogs bark from the yard.
We need to call the police, the woman pulls out her phone.
Claire, no. Ill handle it. Theyre locals, I reckon.
How will you deal with them?
Nicely. Calm the girl down.
The host grabs a bag, walks to the fridge, and puts a bottle of lager and a slice of ham inside.
He pats the dog, and they step out together. Mike lunges at him.
Give back Poppy!
Take it and get lost!
He opens the bag, smiles, nods at his mate. Lets go, Mick!
***
Good, Im Claire, the woman says, putting a kettle on the hob. Sit down, tell me who you are and whats happened.
Im Poppy, the girl says, teeth chattering. I live on this road, right at the edge.
Youre Kiras daughter?
Yes.
Weve only just moved in, but weve heard about your mother. Poppy hangs her head and begins to sob.
Alright, dont cry. The woman draws her close; the gesture feels strange to Poppy. She clings to the woman, crying even harder.
Alright, alright! Well have some tea now.
The house owner steps in.
Everythings settled.
What do we do with this lovely girl? Claire looks at Poppy and suddenly smiles.
Well discuss that tomorrow. For now, tea and a bath.
Want something to eat? Claire places a mug of tea before her, smiling again. I see youre hungry.
Sandwiches appear on the table, along with the remnants of a cake.
Eat, eat! the owner chuckles, watching Poppy stare at the food.
They stop probing her with questions, giving her space as she seems embarrassed.
When dinner ends, Claire leads her to the bathroom.
Wash up, and put on this bathrobe.
***
Poppy only wants one thing: not to be thrown out onto the street today. It feels nice to soak in a warm bath while its freezing outside, but she knows she must get up; the owners are waiting.
She steps out. The man and his wife sit on the sofa. Poppy forces a guilty smile.
Thanks!
The thing is, Poppy, the lady begins, no ones really looking for you. You dont want to go back home, do you?
Poppy bows her head low.
Tomorrow, early in the morning, we have to leave
I understand, Poppy whispers, lowering her chin further.
Youll stay here alone. Dont open the door for anyone! Our Jack wont let anyone in. Got that?
Yes! the girl shouts, unable to hold back her feelings.
You could make a stew for us while were away, John jokes. Can you?
I can, Poppy replies hastily, still terrified of being thrown out. I cook well and I can tidy the house.
Just tidy the downstairs if you can, Claire agrees.
***
She wakes with the owners. She lies in bed, still fearing shell be kicked out. A car rumbles in the yard, then everything quiets down.
She gets up, washes, and finds a kettle boiling, bread, sausage and cheese on the table, pork ribs on a cutting board.
She eats breakfast, clears the table, wipes everything down, mops the floor.
In the hallway she sees a vacuum cleaner, plugs it in and starts vacuuming.
She switches it off
What does all this mean? a voice says behind her.
She whirls around. A tall, handsome eighteenyearold with brown eyes looks curious.
Im cleaning, Poppy mutters. Who are you?
He shakes his head, pulls a phone from his pocket.
Mom, Im home. Whos this?
The lad, let the girl stay with us a while, his mother says from the kitchen.
Whatever. He pockets the phone, eyes Poppy from head to toe, then heads to the kitchen.
Would you like some tea? she asks.
Ill manage myself.
***
Poppy finishes vacuuming, then dusts, listening for any creak from the kitchen.
The boy finishes his breakfast, pops into the bathroom, emerges barelegged and scented with lotion.
Hey, owner, fetch another bottle! a shout comes from the street.
What now? the boy walks to the window.
Dont open for them! Poppy yells, frightened.
He looks at her, smiles oddly, and moves toward the door.
Poppy darts to the window. Outside, the housemate and his friend are shouting something. Fear spikes in her.
The owners son appears. The two rush toward him and suddenly slip in the snow; Poppy thinks they both tumble at once.
The boy leans over them, says something, they rise, heads down, and head toward the mothers house.
***
The boy returns, his gaze landing on the frozenin Poppy. He steps closer.
You scared? he asks.
She presses her face to his chest and starts sobbing.
Whats your name? he asks suddenly.
Poppy.
Im RussRussell. Dont cry. They wont be back.
Russell climbs to his room and stays there until nightfall. Poppy cooks a stew, sits at the kitchen table and thinks.
She does want to stay with these kind people, but she knows shes crossed every line of propriety.
The owners return. Claire shakes her head in amazement at the tidiness. John gives the stew a respectable nod.
I think Ill head home now, Poppy says resignedly. Thank you for everything.
Poppy, stay a few more days! Claire cries.
Thank you, Claire! Ill go home, the girl repeats.
She steps toward the door and freezes. Since yesterday shes been wandering the house in someone elses robe and slippers.
Come on! the lady grabs her shoulder and leads her to the lounge.
She opens a wardrobe, studies the clothes for a long moment, then pulls out jeans, a sweater and a warm sports jacket.
Put them on! Were almost the same height, Claire urges, smiling.
No, I
You cant go home naked. Dress, dress! I wont go broke.
Poppy dresses, sneaks a glance at the mirror. Shes never owned such nice clothes.
In the hallway Claire makes her put on a hat and winter boots.
Poppy, enjoy your stay!
Thank you, Claire.
***
Life settles into a new rhythm. Mary finds work on a nearby farm. Her housemate disappears with his friend.
Spring arrives. That day Poppy is at home studying when someone knocks the gate. She looks out and sees Russell standing by the fence, nodding at her as if to say come out.
She doesnt step out she runs.
Hey! Russell grins.
Hello!
Your mum called for you.
***
Later she walks back into the house that gave her such a happy day.
Hello, Poppy! Claire greets her at the door and gives her a hug.
Hello, Claire!
Come in! Lets have tea.
Claire seats her, pours tea, and sits herself down.
I have a favour to ask. My husband and I are flying to Turkey for a month, she says, a dreamy smile crossing her face. Our son is rarely home. Could you look after the house? Feed Jack, look after the cat, water the flowers. I have a lot of them.
Of course, Claire! Poppy replies.
Good, Claire pulls out a envelope. Twentythousand pounds.
Claire, why?
Take it! We wont be left penniless. Come, Ill show you everything.
Poppy memorises where the flower pots and barrels sit, where the cat food and dog meat are stored. Then Claire shouts:
Russell! The son bursts from his room. Introduce Poppy to Jack!
Lets go! Russell places a gentle hand on her shoulder.
They step into the garden, untie Jack and start walking.
All the way Russell chats about university, karate, his fathers business.
Poppy thinks of something else. She realises the gap between her and Russell is as wide as the one between her mother and Russells parents. Theyre good people, but this isnt a Cinderella story, its real life.
Two months from now Ill sit my college exams, pass them, study, work, grow up. Ill marry, but not this handsome lad. Hes wonderful, just not my match.
Im grateful to Claire for the clothes and the twentythousand pounds. At least Ill manage the first few weeks in town.
An inner voice tells her that this moment finally ends her hard childhood. Adult life begins just as tough, and now its all on her.
They reach the cottage. Poppy pats Jack on the neck, smiles at Russell and heads home. Tomorrow her job at the cottage starts. Work only, and thats it.