Poppy/H.S

Chapter 23

"Is the temperature okay?" Harry asks me after the two of us climb into his Range Rover.

"It's just fine," I answer him, turning my head slightly to the right to have a better view of him shifting the gears as he begins to drive through Holmes Chapel with ease.

"Another four hours in the car are ahead of us, huh?" he points out.

"I guess so. When are we gonna arrive to Brighton?" I question.

"Not sure how the traffic's gonna be, I don't think we'll get there sooner than around midnight," he sighs.

"Aren't you tired?"

"Nope, had a cup of coffee a few hours ago. Besides, now that Poppy's staying at my mum's, it's your responsibility to keep the conversation going unless you want me to fall asleep behind the wheel eventually," he chuckles.

"Didn't think she'd betray us like that, though," I say, pretending to be offended by Poppy's decision to spend the night at her grandma's.

"Yeah, same," he says sarcastically. "But I guess it's better that she sleeps in a proper bed and not in the car."

"Are you going to drive down here again tomorrow to get her?" I wonder.

"Nope, mum said she would drop her off at mine tomorrow or the day
after cause she wants to do some shopping at Harrods anyway. Wants to get some new cushions or something," he explains as he stops at a red light. "It's good that Poppy wanted to spend the night there cause mum's always complaining about not seeing her often enough."

"I really like your mum," I admit shyly, twisting the silver rings on my left hand.

"She likes you too," he smiles. "Thank you for coming with me today. You've really made mum's day by telling her about all the different Slovak meals. She's going to spam you asking for recipes once you've exchanged your emails," he grins.

"She's really nice," I point out. "Is Poppy her only grandchild?" I wonder, watching him start the car again once the light turns green.

"Mhm, Gemma doesn't have kids yet," he explains. "That's why mum spoils Poppy so much."

"Are Gemma and Michal getting married anytime soon?"

"I don't think so, they've been dating for a long time though. It's gonna be their 10th anniversary sometime this year," he says, scratching the slight stubble forming around his lips and chin. "I know it's none of my business, but I have no idea what they're waiting for. If I met my soulmate, I'd be marrying them the first chance I got."

"Maybe some people are just not into marriage," I state, thinking about all the possible alternatives.

"Gemma's been dreaming about having a wedding since she was little. We would play together, you know. She'd be the bride and she'd make me practice the toast I'd tell at her future wedding as the best man," he laughs at the memory.

"Aww, that's cute."

"Would you want to get married one day?" Harry wonders.

"I don't know. If I met the right person, sure. Right now I'm just focusing on my career, I guess," I think out loud.

"Right," Harry whispers.

"Have you ever been married?" I wonder, my heart beating fast at the realisation.

"No, why would you think that?"

"Poppy."

"Oh. Well, she doesn't come from a marriage," he explains.