Love story

60

"I told you before mummy I don't like the doctors!" Poppy groaned, tugging on the sleeve of my jacket.

"I know baby but you haven't been feeling well have you? You haven't eaten a proper meal for two weeks now!" sympathy unfurled in my heart as I squeezed her small hand in mine.

The doctor we saw was friendly and was nice but poppy still cried and told me over and over that she didn't like hospitals. When we left I took her for ice cream, worry built up inside of me but the doctor said that the test results wouldn't be available for a couple of weeks so I brushed it away.

That night, after putting Jake to bed, Toby and I were crouched by Poppy's bedside saying goodnight.

"Mummy told me how brave you were at the doctors today!" Toby said, playing with Poppy's hair the way he used to play with mine. Her lips curved up into a tired smile,

"What will happen now?" Poppy whispered,

I looked at Toby because the truth was that I had absolutely no idea. He reached across and squeezed my upper thigh softly.

"This is what's going to happen, I'm going to go downstairs and mummy's going to sing you a song and then you're going to go to sleep. Then, in the morning me, you, mummy and Jake are going to go to the park and we'll have a great day." Toby's words calmed me in the same way they calmed poppy, he kissed her forehead and left me alone with her.

She shut her tired eyes and I stroked her soft blonde hair as I sang,

"Hush little baby don't say a word, Momma's gonna buy you a mocking bird,
And if that mocking bird don't sing, Momma's gonna buy you a diamond ring,
And if that diamond ring turns to brass. Momma's gonna buy you a looking glass,"

I pressed a kiss on Poppy's forehead and whispered,
"I love you," before going out and leaving the door slightly ajar.

Outside Toby was waiting for me, he put his arm around my shoulder, we went downstairs and spent the evening together. I don't think I'll ever get tired of his company.