The Last Waltz

Chapter 5

Poppy ripped the page off the large sketch pad and handed it to the happy family. They laughed and smiled and thanked her for the caricature of their two children, and she sent them on their way with a little wave as the next three kids took their spots in the chairs provided.

Sally had asked her earlier in the week if there was something she could do to help with the fundraiser the local women's group was holding to fund the food bank. When Poppy mentioned her idea of caricature drawing, Sally was so pleased that she took her shopping immediately, insisting that she provide the needed supplies. Poppy knew she wanted to thank her, but she didn't have the heart to tell her that the amount needed wasn't a hardship for her. Either way, she was enjoying herself and glad her art was raising money and making people happy.

Now, Poppy teased the kids as her hand flew across the page, catching their unique physical traits and exaggerating them as they giggled. The event was proving to be a great chance to meet some of the children of the people she had met around town the last two months.

Poppy but the final touches of the drawing and waved the Campbell family off with a grin then turned to find that Mary and Peter had filled their spot.

"Mary! Peter!" she cried as he saw them. "How are you?"

Poppy had seen Mary frequently because she stopped off to see her most days after school. Sometimes, Poppy would walk out with her as Mary joined Peter and her uncle, and she kept expecting Harrison to tell her to keep away, but so far he hadn't told Poppy to stay away from Mary again. Although, he did give her some disapproving looks when he saw them together.

The kids said fine in unison to Poppy's question as Harrison handed her the money for the drawing plus a little extra. Poppy would have been glad to do it for free, but she knew that it was for charity, so she took the money, and thanked him, her hand carefully avoiding his.

An older couple, Boyd and Siobhan, stood behind Isaac, and Siobhan frowned at the site of Poppy. Maybe Siobhan was under the impression that Poppy had left?

"Hi, Siobhan and Boyd," Poppy said happily, taking up her pencil.

"I see you're an American this time," Siobhan said testily.

"Sure," Poppy hid her grin as he looked at the older couple waiting for an introduction.

"Poppy Stevens, this is Glynda and Chester Glenn," Boyd introduced, also hiding a grin at their shared memory of Poppy's prank. "They're Siobhan's  parents and Peter and Mary's grandparents." That explained how she was the children's aunt.

"Glynda Glenn! What a great name. You should trademark it," Poppy suggested to their blank faces as she stood and positioned Mary and Peter the way she wanted them, giving Peter a little hug as she did. He beamed at the contact and clung to her a little longer than necessary. The boy seemed starved for affection.

"Now, this is the part where I get to pick your best features and make them better!" Poppy insisted as she sat back behind her easel and studied them for a moment. Peter giggled at all the attention and it made Poppy smile.

The rest of the family moved to stand behind her and watch the lines she drew form into the kids' faces. She had been placed next to the pub's bar booth, with the idea that after a few drinks people would think it was an even better idea to have a drawing of themselves. There had been plenty of boisterous voices and singing all day and occasionally, someone would call out a greeting or include Poppy in the conversation as she sketched.

Now, for the umpteenth time that day, they broke out into song, which was a bit bawdy than they had been singing.

"Boys!" she called. "Mind the songs!" She nodded her head in the direction of Peter and Mary.