It was July, and the end of another year at Waterloo Road. Poppy hadn't started school yet, as they were waiting for September to arrive. The staff had an end of year dinner in the school hall on the last evening of term to celebrate a successful school year. Poppy was a fantastic singer and Chris nominated her to sing a song on the school stage for all of the staff. It was quite a dressy evening and all of the staff dressed up in their best dresses and suits. Everyone had finished their meals and were waiting for some entertainment before the floor was cleared and the disco began. Poppy sat with Chris and Jessica before being told to get ready for her performance. They'd left Sophie with Chris' parents so they could stay late and not worry about picking her up until the morning. Tom Clarkson came over to the table. "Poppy? Are you ready to go on?"
"Umm, okay!" Tom turned and walked to the stage. "I don't think I can do this!" she said to Chris and Jessica worriedly.
"You can Poppy! You'll be brilliant! Just keep looking at us if you get scared!" encouraged Chris and Jessica.
Poppy stood up and slowly made her way to the stage. Poppy was well known by some of the staff because in the past few months, she'd been to Waterloo Road with Chris and sat in his and other teachers lessons so she didn't find herself too far behind in September. "And now we have a rare treat for you all. Chris Mead has an adopted daughter that many of you know, little Poppy. She's a superb singer and is singing for you all tonight. Please give a warm welcome to Poppy!"
Poppy walked on stage to an applause from the staff. She looked to the side and gave a nod for the music to start. Poppy looked directly at Chris and Jessica and fantastically performed her own version of Over The Rainbow. A huge standing ovation from the crowd, and Poppy left the stage with a huge smile on her face and straight into the loving arms of Chris and Jessica. "Thank you Poppy! We look forward to you joining year 9 in September!"
Poppy spent the rest of the evening staying close to Chris and Jessica and constantly being congratulated by other members of staff. Poppy talked a lot to Rachel when she was speaking with Jessica. Poppy didn't realise but Jessica turned her attention to talking to someone else and left Poppy with Rachel. Then something changed…
The lights switched on and the music stopped. "Jessica! Jessica!" Chris called through the crowd. "Someone call an ambulance!" another voice shouted. Poppy turned around to see Jessica lying on the floor. "Jessica!" she shouted as she crouched down by her side. "Poppy, give her some space," Rachel Mason said as she put her arms around her. Poppy began to cry. "I don't understand! She was fine!" Poppy said.
"It's okay, Poppy." These were the only words that Rachel could think of to comfort the crying child.
The ambulance crew came quickly and put Jessica in the back of the ambulance. "It's okay, Chris. I'll take Poppy home with me. Don't worry about her." Rachel called to Chris, holding Poppy back.
"Thanks Rachel. Here's her overnight bag" With this, he tossed Rachel a small bag of Poppy's overnight things. Chris and Jessica were going to walk to a small hotel for the night before heading home in the morning. "Don't worry about it Chris. Now go, be with Jessica." At this, the ambulance doors slammed shut and they took off down the school lane with blue flashing lights and sirens blasting out. Poppy fell to the floor in a flood of tears. "Come on Poppy, you're going to be okay. I'll look after you until Chris and Jessica are back at home. Come on."
No one was in the mood for partying and celebrating and soon everyone left the school. The party was over by 10pm. Rachel, Tom and Eddie stayed behind until they'd cleared up after the party and left the school clean and tidy, ready for a new year. "Goodnight guys, I've got to get back to Chlo, Donte, Mika, Brett and baby Izzie. You were brilliant at singing tonight Poppy," Tom said before heading off to his car.
"Bye, Tom" Rachel and Eddie called in unison.
"Can I give you a lift home?" Eddie asked Rachel.
"Not tonight Eddie. I've got to get back to Olivia. I've left her with Lauren Andrews and Madi Diamond while I was here tonight. And I've got to get Poppy home and settled for the night." Rachel replied.
"Understandable. Let me know any news on Jessica."
"I will Eddie. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Rachel"
"Come on Poppy. I live an hour away from here, but we'll be back soon. I'll tell you about my daughter Olivia and her friends that are sleeping over at the moment."
Rachel and Poppy started their journey back to Rachel's house. How long would Poppy be with Rachel's? When would Chris and Jessica be home? What was wrong with Jessica? Questions filled her little mind and she hardly heard a word of what Rachel was saying. Poppy just didn't know…
