(Poppy's POV)

I woke up around 10pm feeling really thirsty. As I made my way to the bathroom to get a drink I realised I was wearing my pyjamas...I barely remembered anything from earlier that night, In fact the last thing I remembered was laying on the grass with the vodka. After that...nothing. As I passed the top of the stairs I noticed there was a light on downstairs, on the second floor Em was fast asleep so I could only assume it was Rachel. I went into the front room, Rachel was sat there in the silence a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. I stood there in the doorway quietly...

"How much trouble am I in?" I squeaked

Rachel placed the bookmark in her book before setting both the book and the cup of tea on the table.

"Not as much at home as you are at school" she sighed

"I'm sorry for what I said I didn't mean any of it..." I said

I sat down on the same sofa as Rachel but as far away as it would allow.

"I found the visiting order. Did you go?" Rachel asked

"Yeah...I wasn't going to...but it was bugging me all day what he could want from me? and why now?" I explained myself

"Did you find that out?"

I nodded silently.

"Is that why you were so upset?"

"He told me that he's Em's dad but not...not mine" I was trying so hard to contain the sobs that were aching in my chest

"But that means..." She didn't finish that sentence

"...Em's not my sister..." I finished "I don't know whether he's just saying that to get to me or whether its true"

Rachel didn't speak for a minute as if she was absorbing the news. Then she simply stretched her arm out and I curled into her side, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and held me close, rubbing my arm.

"I shouldn't have kicked off, I was just so angry because I put up with that stuff for nothing...And if I don't have Em who do I have?"

"Me." Rachel stated "And just because Em might not be your sister by blood doesn't mean she's not your sister...But if you want to know for sure..."

"I need to know. Otherwise its just going to keep messing with my head like he wants"

"We can sort that out but all that aside let's talk about you? Misbehaving in school. I thought we were past that? Why didn't you just come and speak to me?"

I tilted my head back so I could see her face but she seemed hurt by the fact so I buried my face back in her side once more.

"You were busy..." I said

"I am never too busy when it comes to you or Em. I'm always here for you" Rachel said

"What's going to happen at school?"

"Well for the record I understand why you kicked off but I have to treat you as I would anyone else...You'll have to apologise to Mrs Diamond and spend a day or two in the cooler"

I nodded.

"Come on bedtime, otherwise you'll never get up tomorrow..."

I didn't want to go to bed...I wanted to lay here with Rachel, being cuddled forever but there was no way I was admitting that...

(Rachel's POV)

Poppy was at the door when she turned around to face me. I wasn't far behind her and I'd just finished turning the lamps off.

"Rachel? Will you...Will you tuck me in? No one ever did it for me when I was little..." She asked

Poppy's cheeks flushed a deep red and she seemed embarassed at the fact she was asking at her age.

"Of course I will" I smiled "I'll just put my cup in the kitchen, then I'll be up"

Poppy seemed relieved that I hadn't laughed in her face or something similar. I went into the kitchen and put my cup in the dishwasher before following Poppy up the stairs, she was sat on her bed when I went in. She gave me another hug, it was only brief but I could tell it meant something to her. She laid down and I pulled her duvet right up tucking each top corner under her pillow and kissed her head softly.

"There...Snug as a bug in a rug" I smiled

"Night, Love you" she said closing her eyes

"Night night. I love you too darling" I closed the door and left her to it

Getting tucked in was something most kids enjoyed when they were little and Poppy hadn't had that...She'd had little affection at all if any. Poppy had done it all for Em but no one had done it for her and I think that was why she found it so hard to talk about stuff and show affection.