Part 41 (2/2)

'That's the spirit.'

'And she ended my modelling career, for which thank G.o.d. And she started my new career as a columnist, because if I hadn't had a child to witter on about the readers wouldn't have wanted to know. And... I suppose that's what takes us to where we are today.'

'With your new job?'

'I'm so nervous, Charlie. Do you think I'll be OK?'

'You'll be brilliant. A TV guide to places to spend a lost afternoon. I can't think of anything you're more suited to.'

'On a channel with about five viewers.'

'There'll be more than five once word gets around someone as beautiful as you's presenting it.'

'It's all thanks to your introductions that I've got it. I'm so grateful to you.'

'It was nothing.' There was a pause then Charlie said, 'I love you, Poppy.'

'I love you too, Charlie. By the way. When you come round would you mind bringing a tool kit? Only my kitchen tap is dripping.' Poppy stopped short. 'Sorry, excuse me a second. I've seen someone I know. I'll speak to you later.'

Holding Clara's hand, she hurried across the road.

'Hi! Oh my G.o.d. Congratulations! I had no idea.'

Standing behind a splendid Silver Cross pram, Thea blushed. The short man at her side laughed.

'Is it a girl or a boy?' Poppy cooed, peering in. 'Oh G.o.d, I'm stupid, of course it's a boy, look at all that blue. It used to drive me nuts little old ladies saying ”Bless him” when Clara was in a bright pink dress and had a ribbon in her hair. I...'

'Um. It's not mine,' Thea said.

'Sorry?'

'It's not mine. It belongs to my friend, Rachel. I'm taking it for a walk, while its parents are looking at wedding rings.'

'Oh. Right.' Poppy peered at the squashed-faced sleeping bundle to hide her embarra.s.sment. 'Of course. It was only a couple of months ago you took me to hospital and you didn't exactly look pregnant then. Ah, bless him, isn't he gorgeous though?'

'He's all right,' Thea conceded with a grudging pride. 'I'm his G.o.dmother.'

There was a pause. Poppy turned to the man. 'Sorry, I'm Poppy. My ex-husband used to work with Thea.'

'Yes, I know him a little. We did some work together in Guatemala. I'm Jake.'

'Hi.' A beat. 'So are you still at the Seven Thirty News Seven Thirty News?' she said to Thea.

'I am. Just been promoted to programme editor.' Thea looked over her shoulder, as if the slightly tatty urban street might be bugged. 'Though I'm not sure how long I'll be staying.'

'Have you got another job lined up?'

Thea smiled and shrugged. 'No. But I'm beginning to think it might be time for a change. Jake's going to head up a charity operation in Brazil and I'm wondering about going with him. Doing some freelancing out there. I used to have some financial obligations you see, but now I don't and-'

Clara pulled at Poppy's hand. 'Mummee. Want my CBeebies. And Angelina Angelina.'

'Clara, don't be rude. Mummy's talking.'

'It's OK,' Thea said. 'We need to keep moving or this one will kick off.'

Poppy s.h.i.+fted awkwardly from foot to foot. 'Well, nice to see you, Thea. Good luck with it all.' She thought about saying keep in touch but that would have been ludicrous.

'Thanks,' Thea said. 'And the same to you.' She and Jake carried on pus.h.i.+ng the buggy down the suddenly sunlit street. Poppy watched them for a second then, as Clara tugged impatiently on her arm, she headed off in the opposite direction.

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