"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 61 - "PaperWork..."

Chapter 61 - "PaperWork..."

Clara's PoV

'Miss Oswald. What can I do for you?' Mr Foster asked a little confused why I had called this meeting.

John had offered to come but I figured as I know them all well it was best for me to explain things.

Just as I was about to suggest that we wait for Adrien - Poppy's class teacher - he turned up through the door.

It was crazy to think that 5 years ago Adrien taught Evie in reception and now he was teaching Poppy and in two years due he would most likely be teaching Henry.

'I umm - well it's a little delicate' I hummed with the relevant paper work, forms and envelopes in my hands.

'Listen I wanted to discuss with you Poppy'

'Hmm. I'm listening' foster said as I just handed him the envelopes because it was easier than saying it out loud.

I still couldn't quite admit it too myself that this was all happening yet.

So I just handed it to him and allowed him to read through it.

'Leukaemia?'

'It's only stage 2. Perfectly treatable and she's got really high chances of survival. You know she's at like 70 or 80% and if the chemo goes well that number will rise' I said trying to make that clear.

'She'll need some time off I assume? I'll clear it with the board' he said assuringly.

'All of January snd depending how it goes most of April'

'And you?'

'I was wondering where I stand?'

- - -

'I'm entitled to up to 90 days leave should I want to take it and use it should a close family member be seriously sick or ill' I pointed out.

'Right so are you going to take it?'

'I don't know. I'll probably use it in January but I can't keep missing time off school. Especially April time because that's prep for mocks and sats and things - and Avia has her sats this year. I'm going to have to be helping her then as well' I grumbled.

I realised now that we had a lot to do and very little time to do it.

'Mummy why isn't Poppy going to school again tomorrow?' Avia asked as she appeared in the kitchen door way obviously listening to our conversation. 'And why do you need 90 days off work?' She scoffed.

'Oh. Well...' I hummed and didn't really know how to respond.

I guess thats where the idea of family dinner came up.

'You guys are old enough to understand that when someone is sick and very sick that it means they can't always do the things they used too?' I said as Evie nodded.

'Whose dying?'

'Nobody is dying' I said as she was a little over dramatic plus it was a terrible phrase to use knowing that Poppy could potentially be dying.

'Then what? Whose sick?'

'Poppy' John said as they both looked at the girl who looked like there was nothing wrong with her right now.

She was stubbornly in the middle of trying to stab a pea with the fork so she could eat the pea off the fork. She had her tongue sticking out of her mouth very cutely and eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

'She doesn't look very sick' Avia scoffed.

'Have you ever heard of someone having cancer?'

'That means they are going to die' Evie said melodramatically.

'Not always. It just means they are very sick and needs lots of care and looking after and spending a lot of time in hospital. That's why I'm going to take some time off work. Because Poppy needs me and Daddy a lot more than before so that she can get better' I explained.

'So does that mean she won't go to school?'

'Yes. It means that she needs to have some time off school so that she can have a chance to get better' I said as they shrugged their shoulders but I think it struck a nerve to Avia.

She had been through weeks of Evie being in hospital and having to see what John and I were like with her being sick. Whilst it's not directly the same thing - it has the same principle.

- - -

'Avia. I have to talk to you' I mumbled gently sitting at the end of her bed and throwing Evie out for a minute.

'What about? Crap what have I done?'

'Nothing. And could we refrain from the use of that language please' I scoffed not wanting to tell her off before having a serious conversation with her.

'Sorry'

'Look I know you understand what's happening and I know that you know that it's going to be a difficult few months for us all possible up to a year. But we may need your help. Well Poppy may need your help'

'Why?'

'Well she'll need a bone marrow transplant at some point in the next few months and it's better to come from a directly related relative - and works best from a brother or sister' I hummed.

'Why me? Why not you or Daddy?'

'Because Poppy is half me and half Daddy which means she's not the same whereas you and Poppy are. It can't be Evie because John's not her Dad and it can't be Henry because I'm not his Mum. They're unlikely to match' I explained.

'Will it hurt?' She said sadly.

'No. It shouldn't do. But Poppy will be in pain and quite tired all the time so you need to help look after her' I said with a smile.

'Okay' she shrugged and stuck her nose back in her book.

'Okay? Is that it?' I scoffed.

'Well what do you want me to say? I don't want to do it. I don't like it. But it's Poppy. I don't want her to die. So I will' she shrugged as I looked stunned. 'What does she have?'

'Leukaemia. Why?'

'Just so I can research it. I want to be able to help look after Poppy properly'