"What's up with you? You've been moody all week!" questioned Emily.
"It's nothing, just leave me alone," Poppy responded as she stared blankly out of the window. There was no way she was doing French today.
"Tell me!"
"I said nothing, now leave me alone!" Poppy shouted as she slammed her fist on the table.
"Poppy! I will not have you shouting in my lesson! Get to the cooler, now!" instructed Jo Lipsett. Poppy done as she was told with an angry sigh. She slumped down in the chair at the far side of the cooler. The third time this week, what was Rachel going to think? Shortly afterwards, the bell rang and Miss Lipsett came to the cooler. She gave Poppy a sympathetic look before saying "come with me."
Poppy followed her teacher to Kim Campbell's pastoral care office. She was puzzled as to why she was there. Last time she checked, she'd only lost her temper. "Hi, Poppy. Take a seat," said Kim, indicating to the sofa. Poppy took a seat on the sofa. Kim stood and sat next to Poppy. Miss Lipsett sat on the chair opposite. " How are you, Poppy?" Kim asked.
"Fine, I guess"
"Okay." Kim already knew the answer to her next questions. She'd spoken to Rachel earlier, who'd become increasingly concerned for Poppy's wellbeing. She asked them anyway, wanting to hear Poppy's view. "You've been behaving differently recently, haven't you?" Poppy shrugged her shoulders. "Poppy, has something happened at home?" Poppy glanced in Miss Lipsett's direction, before looking down at the floor. Kim noted this before asking, "would you prefer it if Miss Lipsett left the room and it was just you and I?" Again, Poppy shrugged her shoulders.
Kim placed a hand on Poppy's arm, and for the first time in a long time, she shied away, pulling her arm away from Kim's reach. Kim moved her hand away, fearing for Poppy. She knew Poppy was damaged from her childhood, but to what extent no one knew. Perhaps Poppy was regressing? A concern that Kim would later give to Rachel.
Kim looked over at her fellow teacher, adding "I think it'll be better if you go."
Poppy's head was spinning. Why had she done that? Miss Campbell is nice, not nasty like all those others. Memories from her childhood came pouring back. The hands, the violence, the sleepless nights. She could hear the arguments and feel their hot breath on the back of her neck. She sat completely frozen on the sofa. She was aware of Miss Lipsett leaving, but Kim's words had faded and blurred. She went as white as a sheet. "Poppy? Poppy? Are you okay?" Poppy heard and understood the words. The memories stopped and she cried out in distress. Kim desperately wanted to comfort her clearly distressed pupil, but feared getting too close after Poppy's previous reaction. "It's alright, love, it's okay. I'm here Poppy. You're safe now." Kim repeated the words over an over, the only comfort she felt able to provide. Poppy began to rock backwards and forwards, an alarming habit to develop in such a fragile and vulnerable child.
Eventually, Poppy calmed down and was able to talk. She told Kim what had happened with Mollie. Together, they worked through Poppy's feelings and created an action plan to help her deal with them. Kim watched Poppy leave the office, feeling as though she'd achieved something, but knowing Poppy was hiding something else. She wished Poppy would confide in her, and then she could help her properly.