Rachel was first to wake in the morning, and it was her who got Charli ready for the day. There was an overwhelming sense of sadness creeping into every corner of the household. Rachel gently knocked on Poppy's door and opened it slightly to see her sitting by the window, daydreaming into the world. "Leave me alone," she muttered. And Rachel did.
A little while later, Eddie came into the kitchen where Rachel sat feeding Charli. "She won't take it from me. She wants Poppy."
"Poppy not up yet?"
"She's not in a good way. I'm going to keep her at home with me today. Charli won't be going to the crèche either."
Poppy sat by the window for the rest of the day. She didn't eat a scrap of food, and wouldn't say a word.
Mr Lawson held an emergency assembly at school to announce the pupils death. "Mollie Smith, a friend to so many of you, sadly passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning. She will be dearly missed, and you are welcome to attend her funeral. We will have more details on this soon. We are currently offering counselling to anyone who feels they need it, and you can always talk to teachers, form tutors, Miss Campbell or myself." Poppy's friends tried to comfort her, but she ignored them. She just sat by her window. And that's where she remained for the next week, not eating, not sleeping and not talking.