‘I think,’ I say, after we’ve both been silent for a moment, looking at more pictures, ‘that we might need a break, don’t you? From all of this? I know we have M to deal with, and I’m definitely willing to do it – but perhaps we should have a few days off? What do you think? I could do with a bit of time at home with Joe, doing normal stuff, and I’m sure you’ve got a shedload of work to catch up on. Would that be all right? We’re making progress, I think, but … God, I’m tired.’
Poppy nods, closes the photo album, and stands up without a word. I hear her go into the kitchen and get a glass of water, and by the time she returns, she is yawning and stretching in a completely pantomime ‘I’m-really-sleepy’ way.
‘Good idea,’ she says, back to being brisk and business-like. I appreciate that. Brisk and business-like Poppy is much easier to deal with than vulnerable Poppy.
‘A few days off. I’ll go into the office and make some people’s lives hell. You see Joe. Then we can meet up back at the cottage for M. I looked at it earlier, and Lewis’s notes say we’ll need a couple of days. It’s some kind of map in poem form. I bet it rhymes and everything.’
‘Cool,’ I say. ‘Maybe it’ll even be fun.’
Poppy nods, and walks towards the door into the hallway, where she pauses and looks back at me. I think there are tears in her eyes, but tell myself it is a trick of the light.
‘And by the way?’ she adds. ‘Just for the record – I would never,evershag your neighbour.’
Chapter 48
Andrea: M is for Magical Mystery Tour
1,
I’m curved and cool and far from poor,
I am a door, but not a door,
Climb my steps and take a dip,
But please be careful not to slip!
2,
My mouth is burned, oh poor me!
I’ll cool it down, in the sea.
Maybe I’ll dig up something old,
Then make my tongue feel nice and cold.
3,
Stretching out around the bay,
Candyfloss colours, all so gay!
Use my key, spend some time,
I’m glad it’s not orange – that wouldn’t rhyme!
4,
Inside me you’ll find a kettle,
And a spade all made of metal,
Dig down deep and find out maybe,
What you wore as a baby.
Chapter 49
