Turning to head for the stairs she found her way blocked by Bernadette Craven and hundreds of other smiling children.
“Thank you Poppy!” Bernadette said. “We all owe you so much!”
The words of an Angel lay across them all as Poppy said. “You were all missing for a lifetime but gone for less than heartbeat. Return from where you came and remember me only in your dreams.”
“Goodbye Poppy Darke I’ll never forget you!” Bernadette Craven said and as her spirit faded into the ether she smiled at her savior.
Soon all the spirits had returned to their times and their families leaving only Poppy and Jesse looking at each other awkwardly.
“You’d best go Poppy! This house is on fire!” He said with tears welling up in his eyes.
“You’ll be back with your mum in no time!” Poppy smiled, she didn’t really want him to go at all.
He grinned with that cheesy smile that Poppy remembered from the meadow the first time she had met him and as his spirit began to fade he said. “You’re my best friend Poppy, don’t forget me!”
She wiped the tears as they streamed down her cheeks, and then he was gone. “Never!” She whispered. “I’ll never forget you Jesse!”
The fire had spread from the wooden paneling to some velvet curtains, which were incinerated in seconds. Fuelled by desperation and hunger, long probing flames reached out at the threadbare carpets looking to bridge the gap to fresh food. All consuming inferno soon licked at the ceiling as choking smoke billowed through the rooms.
Poppy cradled her brother tight and crawled along on her hands and knees. There was less smoke on the stairs so she was able to stand up and run down them. Sprinting for the front door she found it to be securely locked, and panicking she turned to find herself facing an advancing wall of fire.
Loud wailing sirens caught her ears and then only seconds later a voice boomed at her to move away from the door. Crashing blows thudded against the great oak door, but it held firm against the fireman’s huge axe. Suddenly the wood began to splinter and a small hole appeared.
“Take Nathaniel!” Poppy shrieked. “Take the baby!”
Huge gloved hands pushed through the hole and lifted her brother to safety and almost immediately another fireman began smashing the hole with his axe. Without warning the roof began to cave in around her and the firemen were forced to run for their lives.
“If you want to live come with me!”
Poppy spun on her heels and came face to face with Skuttlebucket. “How do I know that I can trust you?” She asked.
“I’ve seen what you can do..! What you are..? Come with me through the flames... They won’t harm you!” Skuttlebucket growled.
Poppy frowned. “I know... Somehow I know they won’t!” She raised her arm and tried to touch the raging fire which instantly recoiled in terror.
Poppy began to gingerly walk forward and as she did so a corridor appeared through the flames as if guiding her to the tunnel entrance.
“Climb upon my old back Poppy Dark so that I may carry an Angel to safety and repair the damage done to my soul.” Skuttlebucket said bowing his head he kneeled.
Poppy did as she was told and they were soon gliding up the stairs and into the relative safety of the tunnel. The flames dared not to pursue and chose to continue their maddening feast on the house.
Landing in the snow behind some trees Poppy sprinted over to a waiting ambulance and sensed the presence of her brother safely tucked up within. As the house finally gave up the ghost and collapsed Poppy saw her Mother frantically struggling against the vice like grip of two Firemen.
“Let me go!” She screamed hysterically and slipped free, sprinting towards the house. Both firemen gave chase and one of them rugby tackled her to the floor. Where she lay still, sobbing into the snow.
“Mum!” Poppy said gently. “Mum I’m alright... I’m here.”
The firemen rolled away from their prisoner and climbed to their feet, neither one wanted this mad woman to punch them in the face again. Anne Darke thought for one second that she had indeed imagined that voice, but it sounded so real and yet so close. She dared to slowly turn her head and have a look.
Erupting from the ground she gathered Poppy up in her arms and hugged her tight. “I... I thought you were dead.” She cried.
“How did you know?” Poppy sobbed. “Who sent the fire brigade?”
Anne pushed Poppy away from her body and forcibly turned her around. “He did. “ She said.
Poppy reached out and prodded the person standing before her. He looked a couple of years older and he was definitely taller, but it was him alright and he was real.
“You saved us Poppy...! You saved us all!”
“Jesse..!” She cried and as the three of them hugged in the snow Christmas lights twinkled in the distant village.
The End…
Poppy Darke will return!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Colin Wraight was born and raised in South Yorkshire. After a twelve years as a member of HM Forces where he fought in the Gulf War and served three tours of duty in Bosnia he returned to his home town where he currently lives with his three children and Max the dog.
Poppy Darke Page 25