Halcyon

Preparation

A couple of weeks later, Nikki has just taken Poppy to the hospital to get her plaster cast removed and has now taken her shopping to get all her new school uniform for her first day in a week's time. Nikki is currently sat with Poppy waiting for her to have school shoes fitted.
"Mummy why I have special shoes?" Poppy questions as she snuffles her way onto Nikki's lap.

"Because you have to when you go to big school" Nikki smiles and kisses Poppy's cheek.
"What about Maddison?" Poppy asks.
Nikki laughs and shakes her head, "No darling, because she is too small to go to nursery" Nikki smiles and looks up as the woman who was fitting Poppy's shoes comes back with three boxes with shoes in Poppy's size in.

She crouches down in front of Poppy who is now sat on the chair beside Nikki, "So there are three options" She smiles at Poppy before glancing at her mother.
The woman gets the shoes out for them to look at and Nikki smiles in approval as they're all nice looking and none are painted which she doesn't want Poppy to have just yet as she's forever crawling around on the floor. "which ones would you like to try?" The woman asks Nikki who then looks at Poppy.

"Which one's Pops?" Nikki smiles happily.
Poppy grins and looks at the shoes, "I like those!" Poppy points to a set of ballerina style shoes with a small bow on the strap.
The woman looks up at Nikki and Nikki just nods and smiles, "Good choice Pops, I think those will look amazing" Nikki smiles happily that her daughter has picked the shoes she had in mind on seeing them first.

The woman helps Poppy put the shoe on and then fits it correctly making sure she has some room to grow in. "Are you excited to go back to school?" the woman asks Poppy who looks up at Nikki a little confused.
"She'll be starting school next week, just coming from pre-school" Nikki smiles in reply for Poppy.

"Daddy say I going to be fine and like it" Poppy giggles cheekily as she swings her legs back and forwards as she admires her new shoes.
"And your Daddy is right, I loved school" The woman smiles happily at Poppy who stands up in the shoes and walks up and down in them.

As soon as Nikki has done all the shopping she heads back to the car and puts all the stuff in the car boot before taking Maddison out of the pram and securing her in the car seat first, "Poppy, stay where I can see you baby. Cars won't see you" Nikki smiles as she glances over her shoulder at Poppy who is messing with the gravel beside the car.

Nikki secures Maddison into the car seat and then shuts the door before collapsing the pushchair and lifting it into the car boot. She then gets Poppy into the other side of the car and secures her in before getting in the car herself.

"Mummy? Can we see Daddy?" Poppy questions curiously.
Nikki looks through her rearview mirror at Poppy and thinks for a moment, "Shall I call him and see if he wants to come for lunch with us?" Nikki smiles happily and Poppy cheers with delight. Nikki gets her phone out and dials Jack's number and puts her phone to her ear.

She waits for a moment, "Hey" Nikki smiles as she hears a familiar voice.
"Hey Nik, everything okay?" Jack replies back.
"Yes, Just wondered if you're on lunch, I'm sat in the car with the girls, just got all of Poppy's uniform" She begins.
"Yeah. I'm on my lunch in a quarter of an hour, where do you want to go?" Jack questions.
"How about that cafe down the road from the Lyell," She speaks.
"That's great, I shall meet you there soon then, I've got to go I've just got to finish some case notes for Thomas" Jack replies.
"Okay, see you soon, Love you" She smiles and then ends the call before turning in her seat and looks at Poppy, she gives her a smile and Poppy's face lights up.

"Daddy?" She questions and Nikki nods.
"We're going to have lunch with him, soon" Nikki replies then turns back in her seat and starts the car before pulling away.