The Glory Of Love - Timmy Matley

Chapter 18

It was 10.47PM when we arrived at home, and we headed straight to the bedroom. An hour later we were both sitting cuddling on the sofa and watching repeats on TV, we couldn't sleep after the crazy night we'd just had, and it didn't help that the neighbours were partying next door. At about half 11 Timmy's phone started ringing 'Poppy Calling'.

"What the?" he exclaimed before standing up and answering it. Normally when Poppy rang him it was just to complain about money, or nursery, or the new boyfriend, so she was normally shouting down the phone, but today I couldn't hear her. Timmy muted the TV and you couldn't help but listen to what he was saying.

"Poppy what are you talking about?... No you can't do that... Go to bed Pops... He's messing with your head... Just get some sleep... You don't have to do everything he says... I'll come over in the morning... As long as you and Olly are ok... But no, you've just got to tell him you'll talk about it tomorrow... And then I'll be there to talk you out of it... And talk him out of it if I have to... Ok... Ok... Sounds good... Night, see you tomorrow." and with that he threw his phone down on the sofa and ran his hands through his hair before sighing and looking at me.

"Barry wants her to run off with him, says a kid would get in his way so they want to leave him with us." he said sitting down.

"Erm, well ok, you know we could have Olly with us if we have to, it would be good for you" I replied rubbing his arm.

"No, it's not good, he needs to be with his mum, and we're always both out working, we just don't have the time" he replied beginning to shout.

"But Timmy, if we had to, just calm down babe, we'll sort it" I said, trying to reassure him.

"No, I've managed to talk her out of it for now, I think I have anyway, she says she's going to bed, clear her head and then I'm going over tomorrow to talk about it with them. Now I'm just so annoyed, I'm going next door, telling them to shut up the hell up, and then go to bed myself." he said, storming out of the front door and slamming it behind him.  

*2.41AM*

It was so hot that we had to open the window and leave the curtains open as well. I lay awake as I watched the outline of a moth flutter into the bedroom and out towards the light in the hall that we always left on. I couldn't sleep and I know Timmy couldn't either, I rolled over onto my side and saw the moonlight glisten in his eyes.

"Are you sure you're alright babe?" I asked timidly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, Poppy hasn't rung back so she must of listened and gone to sleep, which means Olly is alright, and as long as both you and him are safe, that's all that matters, come here babe" he replied, putting his arm around me and holding me close. I could tell he still wasn't himself, but I decided not to pester him, it would only make things worse. We both lay there for what felt like hours just cuddling in silence, I just wanted to lay like that, in his arms, forever. But before long we were rudely interrupted by banging on the door. I sat up and pressed the home button on my phone, illuminating the screen. 3.01AM. Who on earth would be at the door at this time? Probably those pesky neighbours again, they were having a moving out party that night, so the sooner they're gone, the better. We waited for a while but every so often there was another set of bangs on the door. Timmy groaned and rolled out of bed, picking up a white t-shirt off the floor.

"Don't worry T, I'll sort it" I said, quickly getting up and throwing my dressing gown on, I didn't want anything to make his mood worse, so I better go deal with the disturbance. I opened the door and was about to shout at the neighbours to go away when Poppy pushed past me, dragging a tired 5 year old along behind her and dumped two suitcases down on the floor. Confused, I sighed and shut the door behind her.

"Is..." I began before being cut off once again.

"Where is Timmy. I demand to see him right now." she shouted. As soon as he heard her voice he burst out the bedroom door, pulling the shirt down to cover up his abs.

"Poppy? What's going on?" he asked as he walked over to her and ruffled his son's hair up.

"Here" she said giving Timmy Olly's hand.

"You take him. I'm done. And before you say  anything, just shhh, just listen, I took in what you said you know, don't run off with Barry, just give it time and we can work it out, but listen, I've just had a phone call, and mum's been taken into hospital again, but this time it's a whole lot worse, and they don't think she'll last the week. So I'm catching the first plane out to America that I can, it leaves in just  under an hour, and I'm not taking this one with me" she said, putting her hand on Olly's shoulder.

"It's going to be bad enough me going through this never mind if he goes through it all too. You know I have no other family in the UK, and after all, you are his dad. So please Timmy? Will you take him? It doesn't have to be permanent, just until everything that's happened over in the states has happened. And then, I'll be back for him. I promise. Please Tim? For me? For your son?" She carried on to say as a tear fell from her eye.

Timmy looked down at Olly, who was stood there, he looked so worried even though he wouldn't fully understand what was happening. He looked back up at Poppy, then looked at me with the 'what do you think?' look in his eye. I pulled a little smile and nodded at him before he looked back to Poppy and smiled.

"If that's the case, then of course I'll have him. No questions asked. But are you sure you'll be able to get through everything on your own?" he asked hugging her gently.

"Yeah. I'll manage. I think. Anyway. I better go. I've got a plane to catch. Thanks for everything Timmy" she said, letting go from the hug and crouching down in front of Olly.

"I'm leaving you for a while little man, to go see Nanny because she's poorly and it's a long way away so I can't take you with me. But you're going to stay with here with daddy and his friend ok?" she said, as happily as she could manage. All he did was nod and then open his arms out. Poppy laughed, hugged him and kissed him on the forehead before standing up again.

"Be good for daddy" she smiled ruffling his hair and turning around. She looked at me.

"Thanks [YN], I'm sorry for barging in on you like that. It must of frightened you"

"It's ok" was all I managed to say before she quickly hugged me and walked to the door, she opened it and then turned around.

"Thanks again you two, I don't know what I'd do without you, and sorry it was on such short notice. Bye Oliver. Mummy loves you ok. Be good squirt." She smiled.

"I love you mummy" came a little voice from next to Timmy.

"I love you too little man" she said and walked out of the door, closing it behind her. I looked at Timmy and he looked at me, there was a faint sob coming from outside the door.

"I'll be two ticks" Timmy said, before rushing out of the door himself.

I looked back at Olly who was just stood there staring at me, looking quite nervous.

"Are you alright? Do you want some food or something? Do you want me to put a cartoon on while I get the spare room ready?" I asked, quite unsure what to do. He just shook his head and looked down at the floor.

"Erm, ok, do you want to go sit down on the sofa and I'll make you a bed".

"Ok." he said, walking over and sitting down.

I picked up the suitcases that Poppy had left and plonked them down in the spare room. I could tell how this situation was affecting him. He was usually normally perky and happy around me, but now he'd gone really shy and quiet.

I quickly made the spare bed and put his clothes into the cupboard. The last things I took out of the case were his favourite teddy, which I put down on the bed, and a picture of him and his mum on his last birthday, I couldn't help but smile as I put it onto the bedside table. Then I shoved the cases onto the bed and took the teddy out of the room with me.