Poppy/H.S

Chapter 28

I walk over to the shiny black Range Rover I haven't seen in over a month, and to be frank, I've missed the comfort that comes along with going somewhere by car, especially when it's such a luxurious car like Harry's. I manage to carry all the three hot beverages with one hand, since they are in the cardboard drink tray, which makes it so much easier for me. I use my other hand to open the passengers door, not wanting Harry to get out of the car and risk someone seeing him here.

Having Harry pick me up in Central London is risky enough, considering how many paparazzi were waiting for him to make an appearance in court today. Taking all the possible consequences of Harry being seen with Poppy and me in public in consideration, just after the trial, makes me appreciate Harry's efforts to give me a ride and take me on a trip today so much more. Speaking of the much anticipated trip, I'm so excited to find out what he and Poppy have planned.

The possibilities are endless. Since Harry has mentioned I might need a change of clothes, I've started to think it could be an activity which requires being clothed casually, for example, since I'm dressed anything but that today. I'm wearing beige trousers that I completely forgot I even had, having discovered them in the closet this morning. The trousers hug my curves well. They're not too revealing, since I'd consider them rather elegant. Due to the fact that beige goes with literally every colour, I've opted for a pearly white long sleeved blouse with a v-line cleavage. To match the outfit, I've decided to go for a brown coat, and I black handbag with some golden designs. I've changed my regular silver accessories for gold ones, so that they would compliment my purse better.

So, one of the options I've thought of is hiking. I'm definitely not dressed for going somewhere into the woods, which is probably why Harry needed to know my size. It was really considerate of him to offer to get some spare clothes for me, so that I wouldn't ruin the outfit I'm currently wearing. However, I'm definitely paying Harry back for the clothes. I can't stand having someone other than me pay for my personal stuff, like clothes.

"Hi," I whisper with a smile on my face as soon as I peek my head onto the car.

Harry's eyes are shiny green, and I watch him slightly part his lips, getting ready to say something, but he's interrupted by an overly excited voice coming from the backseat.

"Valentine! I've missed you!" she exclaims.

"I've missed you more," I chuckle, standing in front of the car, the passenger door opened, with my head peeking in.

I notice there's a bag on the passenger seat, so I assume it's probably Harry's. I pull away awkwardly, getting ready to close the door and circle the car, so that I could take a seat in the backseat next to Poppy.

"Heyyyy," Harry almost lets out a squeak, sounding offended. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Oh, um, I'll just sit in the backseat," I answer him awkwardly, thinking, whether he put the bag in the passenger seat on purpose, so that I wouldn't be able to sit next to him. The bag acts as a border, signaling that there's no more space for me in the passenger seat.

Have I done something wrong?

There are several thoughts running through my head at the moment, wondering if I've done something that would offend him, making him want me to sit next to Poppy instead. It's a good point that we haven't seen each other in quite a long time, but it's not like I've been avoiding him. It was for his own safety and wellbeing.

Has he gotten in a serious relationship?

What if he met someone new in Holmes Chapel? Maybe that's the reason why Harry doesn't want me close to him anymore. There could be a possibility that we might be picking the person up somewhere on the way, so it would be understandable if Harry wanted his partner to sit in the backseat. What is more, the thought about his partner being jealous occupies my mind. What if they tell him not to see me again?