Wish me luck.

Poppy is just the best. I know that she has suffered more than anyone deserves. She will always carry the scars from the brutal slaying of her parents but she has also endured boarding school, care homes, humiliation from her own sister and neglect. But still, she bounces back with her bubbly personality, displaying more strength and resilience than any adult I have met.<br><br>I sat with her on my bed, watching as she combed my hair more gently than anyone had done before. I had put her to bed in her own room but I had just been in the kitchen when I heard her creeping around my bedroom. I found her in my bed, huddled under the covers. She kept apologising and saying she couldn’t sleep and I could see the fear in her eyes. So I decided to get in with her and distract her.<br><br>‘Poppy, I have an idea. You know I have to go away for a few days? It’s work.’ I didn’t want to tell her too much. She might get scared or try to do something rash.<br><br>‘Uh huh.’<br><br>‘I know we haven’t been together long but I still want to make sure I get care in place for you. You’ve had care homes in the past, right?’<br><br>‘Uh huh.’ She started to cry.<br><br>‘What’s wrong?’ I looked at her and she looked at me with her big sad eyes.<br><br>‘I don’t wanna go back. I don’t like the way they look at me.’<br><br>‘Who?’<br><br>‘Cathy and Neil. They’re mean. They’re the reason I have no clothes, I don’t have nice dresses and I don’t have nice hair. They don’t like me.’<br><br>‘Poppy, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. But you don’t have to worry about any of that any more because I will get you whatever you want. I’ll get you nice things, send you to school, give you money if you need and feed you nice food. But I need you to go to boarding school while I’m away.’ I hated saying it but I knew I had to be resolute. It was so important.<br><br>‘Okay.’ She just nodded and I could see she was scared.<br><br>‘Don’t worry, Poppy. I’ll be back before you know it and I will care for you.’ I stayed with her for another few hours, comforting her before making her go to bed.<br><br>I sat at my kitchen table, looking at my phone. I had to call him. I knew I could trust him but call him I had to. I looked at Poppy in the doorway, boarding school bag slung over her shoulder as per my instructions.<br><br>I put the phone down and I looked at her. I had never loved her more.<br><br>‘You look lovely, Poppy. I know you will make lots of friends at school and I will collect you soon.’<br><br>‘I’m scared.’ She looked at her feet.<br><br>‘I’ll be there soon,’ I said, ‘but I need you to be brave for me. Do you think you can be brave for me?’ She nodded, sniffling.<br><br>‘I’ll walk you to your car,’ I said, standing from the chair and followingPoppy out of the house.<br><br>I loved how her boarding school dress was so short and her little tights so thin. I opened the car door.<br><br>‘Afternoon.’ I looked at the driver, smiling.<br><br>‘Afternoon.’<br><br>‘Thanks for taking her,’ I said, ‘she’s a little scared.’<br><br>‘Don’t worry. I’ll look after her.’<br><br>I put Poppy’s bag in the car and then Poppy herself. She turned to me and I could see the tears in her eyes.<br><br>‘Good luck,’ she said.<br><br>‘No, Poppy. You don’t have to wish me luck. I’ll be back before you know it. I just have to go away for a few days.’ But she just looked at me and I could tell she knew what she had done.<br><br>I watched as the driver drove away, he beeped the horn and I waved.<br><br>Wish me luck Poppy. I’m going to need it.