Mollie settled in quickly at Rachel's, and often visited her grandmother in her new nursing home. But, over the coming weeks, Mollie became extremely ill, causing a great deal of concern for Rachel. Mollie was a very private person, not likely to tell others what is going on. On one occasion, Rachel became so concerned that she phoned for an ambulance. Mollie was kept in hospital for weeks, but not once was Poppy allowed to see her or told what Mollie was ill with. Rachel knew, but feared the worst if she told Poppy. She knew Poppy would not take it well. Rachel and Poppy worked tirelessly, looking after Charli as best they could, trying to make up for the mother that wasn't there. It was only when Mollie came home from the hospital that Poppy began to realise just how ill Mollie was…
By now it was April and Poppy was excited to see Mollie. She was waiting patiently at home with Olivia whilst Rachel went to collect Mollie. The door eventually opened. Poppy jumped out of her seat, looking expectantly towards the door, cradling Charli in her arms. She'd grown so much since her mother had been gone and Poppy had dressed her in her favourite clothes. It was a dress, which was white with pink polka dots, paired with a pink cardigan and a pair of pink tights. Poppy had tied a matching polka dot bow in the infants soft hair. Eventually, Mollie stumbled through the door. She was deathly pale and had lost a lot of weight. Her eyes had sunken and no longer shone with life. She was incredibly weak and needed help to stand. But perhaps the biggest change, and giveaway, was Mollie's lack of hair. Gone were the brown flowing locks which Mollie loved, replaced with nothing. "Your… your hair?" Mollie sputtered.
"I know. Poppy, I've got cancer. It's terminal. I am going to die. My treatment made me lose my hair, but it should buy me a bit more time to spend with you and Charli."
Poppy was confused – and angry. How come no one had told her this before? She glanced at the other faces around the room. They all knew, and dared not to meet her eyes. Poppy felt numb. How could they keep a secret this big? She put Charli down in her bouncer and, despite the infants cries, walked out of the room and up the stairs. She remained in her room for the rest of the weekend, not eating, barely sleeping and totally ignoring everyone else's existence.