Charlie was exhausted by endless nights out, fleeting flings, perpetual firstdate marathons. When he met the bright, witty, and sharptongued Poppy, he thoughtat last, the right one. They drifted into a tiny café on Brick Lane, let street buskers soundtrack their chat, swapped stories of his climbing the corporate ladder and her devotion to contemporary poetry. When they discovered a shared love for a quirky twist on the classic saladOlive & appletopped Waldorfthey both knew: it was time to move forward.
The next step in their whirlwind was Poppys flat in Camden, where she invited him over for dinner. Charlie donned his best shirt, shaved clean, memorised a few odd verses from one of Poppys favourite poets, and bought a bunch of roses and a bottle of red. He set off, buoyant and oddly unrestrained, convinced the evening would be unforgettable. His confidence could have made any cat, patting its bowl fifteen times a day, envious. Nothing was left to chanceeverything was plotted down to the last detailexcept the line that would break the spell: Good evening, Im Stanley. My mums in the shower, come on in.
Charlie froze. A square, boyishmale face stared down at him from above, a hand outstretched as if it could easily encircle his whole head. At first he wondered if hed entered the wrong flat, but when Stanley let out a loud, ridiculous sneezemouth shut, nose pinched, just as Poppy always didany doubt vanished. Charlies mood plummeted; the wine turned sour, the roses wilted.
He stepped inside and, seeing Stanleys battered trainers, gasped. He could have slipped them onto his polished shoes and they still would have seemed too big. Poppy, halfshrunk to the size of a child, hovered nearby. Charlie thought how a woman never learns the proper way to treat gold. He imagined handing her a ring, and ten years later holding a wedding bandsolid investment. Lost in thought, he drifted to the kitchen, where a table was already set and Stanley was swapping curtains without a stool.
Five minutes and Im out! a voice shouted from the bathroom.
Five rounds of fiveminute intervals later the door finally creaked open, and Poppy emerged, swathed in an evening dress, her makeup glowing. She caught Charlies sour expression instantly, understood the glitch, and the nervous flutter evaporated along with any romantic spark.
Silently she placed food and wine for both of them, then began to eat without waiting for Charlie.
Why didnt you tell me you had a child? Charlie blurted, feeling cheated.
What, scared of the trailer? Poppy replied with a rueful smile.
Its not a trailerits a whole train.
Big, isnt it? Thats from the old countryside, taller than any Stepan. He once wrestled a bear with bare hands.
And where is he now? Charlie swallowed, his throat tightening.
Out on a tour with that same bear. He left us for the big stage. Sometimes he writes letters, but the handwriting is so wild I swear the bear himself is doing it.
How old is he? Charlie asked, gesturing toward the wall.
Fourteen, just got his passport taken.
Strong?
Very funny.
They ate in silence; conversation sputtered.
More meat? Charlie offered, passing the plate.
Like it?
Honestly, Ive never tasted anything better. What is this?
Moose. Stan cooks it.
Wow, hes talented.
It runs in the familyold cookbooks, a set of knives, fishing rods, a boat, and other junk hes cobbled together.
A boat? Charlie gulped.
Its stored in the cellar. Sometimes its there, sometimes not. The sons a keen fisherman.
Poppys phone buzzed; she apologized and slipped into another room.
Its about time I head home, Charlie thought. Nothing left to catch here.
Hey, Charlie, a quick favour Poppy returned, tension in her voice. Theres been an accident at work. Could you look after Stanley for a couple of hours?
Me? With Stanley? Why?
Hes underage; who knows what could happen. People are roaming the flats
Youre scared hell be snatched?
Bottom line, Poppy shifted tone, Ill pay you for the lost evening and for babysitting, then I wont call again. Deal?
What am I supposed to do with him?
Youre mentalk about your manly stuff, and Ill be off.
Charlie didnt manage a reply before Poppy vanished, her coat fluttering behind her. He drained his phone, finished the meat, polished off the wine, and waitedshe never returned.
When he reached Stanleys bedroom door, familiar sounds leaked through.
No way, Charlie muttered, knocking.
Open.
He nudged the door, stepping into a childs room. The first thing he saw was a large wooden target riddled with knives and arrows; the walls bore no holesthe archer always hit the mark. A vinyl turntable spun softly, Iron Maidens riffs filling the airCharlies favourite band. Stanley sat in a corner, tinkering with fishing lines. On a shelf stood trophies; a boxing bag hung from the ceiling; a brandnew gaming console lay beside the TV.
Your mum does a decent job, Charlie whispered, envy tinging his voice. Ive always dreamed of a room like this.
Summer I work, Stanley replied, making Charlie feel a pinch of shame. He imagined Poppy rummaging for an endless wallet for her endless lad, while the boy seemed perfectly selfsufficient.
Got a charger for my phone? Charlie asked, holding up the device.
Its near the railway, Stanley gestured.
The railway? Charlie stammered, eyes widening as a sprawling rail yard materialised outside the window, stealing his breath.
You built it yourself? he whispered, not wanting to break the spell.
Yeah. Im gathering bits, planning a second tier and a few bridges. A new box of rails arrived, but I cant reach it yet.
Heat rose in Charlies cheeks and heart.
Can we run a loop? he asked Stanley.
One minute, the boy said, setting his lines aside, standing tall and crossing the room in a single stride.
***
An hour later Poppy returned, certain Charlie had already slipped away. She hurried to the boys room, catching the two men assembling the railway. At a glance it was hard to tell who was older.
Charlie, you should go home, she whispered.
Uhh right, Charlie sprang up. What time is it?
Its half past ten, Poppy yawned, tired. Im back at the site tomorrow, need sleep.
She escorted him to the door, planted a kiss on his cheek, and handed over a few pounds.
I dont take money from women, Charlie sniffed, disdainful.
Fine, thanks for looking after my trailer.
Charlie gave a brief smile and left.
***
A few days later Charlie called, Hey, could I drop by again?
My works a nightmare right nowno time for dating. And after our last meet
Can I still see Stanley?
Stanley? Poppy sounded puzzled.
Yeah, I could watch the kid, keep an eye on things.
I dont know I should ask him.
Ive already texted him. Hes cool. I grabbed a new game for his Xbox, well play quietly while you attend to your stuff.
Alright, come tonight.
That evening Charlie arrived in a completely different guise. No shirt, no perfume, no wine, no dramatic gaze. He wore a plain black tee with the Iron Maiden logo, a backpack stuffed with crisps and soda, and a childish grin plastered on his face.
Just be quietI have a twohour video call, Poppy met him in a housecoat, a fabric mask over her face, the scent of onions lingering.
Charlie nodded and slipped into the childs room.
The same night Poppy struggled to pry Charlie and Stanley apart as they argued fervently about Balabanov versus Guy Ritchie, each defending his favourite director. They were about to launch into a sixhour film marathon when Poppy managed to convince them they were both victims of terrible taste and ushered Charlie out.
Dont forget the bait on Saturday! Stanley called from the room.
What bait? Poppy shot back at Charlie.
Were going for pike. I told Stanley theres a shop with topnotch bait. I havent fished in a thousand years.
Youre mates, huh? Want to spend time with me?
Sure, you can slice the sandwiches.
Great, Ive nothing else to do. Go fish, you two, Poppy smiled, ushering Charlie out. Work always eats my time, but at least the kids occupied.
***
A month passed. Poppy threw herself into her job, romance a distant memory. Charlie and Stanley used the time productively: finishing the railway, catching crayfish, brewing homemade ale from an old family recipe Stanley inherited. Stanley taught Charlie to navigate the woods; Charlie, in turn, showed the boy the basics of flirting and helped him arrange a date with a girl from his class. Everything ran smooth until one night a knock rattled the front door, causing ceiling lights to cascade down.
Poppy opened, instantly hit by the smell of bear meat. On the doorstep stood her exhusband, tall as a lamppost, and Stanleys father.
Ive finally realised, he declared, kneelingstill towering over Poppy. Potap and I are tired, want a quiet family life. Ive saved enough, will take you and Stanley back to the village. Youll quit your job, well fish and hunt together.
Ha! Youre a comedian. Ten years and you finally get it. Your bear also wants to rejoin the family?
No Actually Ive signed a secret film contract behind my back, the husband muttered.
So thats it, Poppy crossed her arms, they just tossed you aside.
It doesnt matter! The point is I now
He was cut off as Charlie, wearing Poppys shirt hed borrowed, barged in.
Poppy, I took your shirt cause mine was ruined while we repainted the train with Stanley
Lord, does anyone finish a sentence in this flat? Poppy asked, eyeing the men.
Whos that? the husband demanded, fist poised at Charlies head.
It it Poppy stammered, unsure.
Stanley burst from the room, snapping the fathers arm to the wall with a swift blow, pinning him there.
Its a trailer! Stanley hissed.
Stanley! Son! Its me, dad! What trailer? the man wheezed, writhing.
Its the trailer that Mom and I use to haul everything you left behind.
But I never left you anything, the man whispered, realizing his words.
Charlie and Poppy huddled in a corner, watching the clash of giants.
Alright, alright, break, the father groaned, releasing his grip.
Youre a champ. Looks like youre ready for a boar hunt, the man massaged his arm. Maybe tomorrow I could go with my son, talk, make up for lost time? Im a father, after all.
Poppy flustered, shifting her gaze between her ex and Charlie, unable to speak.
Yes, I get it, Charlie nodded, turning to leave.
Sorry
***
The next morning the father and son departed at dawn; Stanley returned alone late that night.
Wheres dad? Poppy asked, eyes wide.
He left, he said, slipping off his shoes.
He just left?
Not exactly, Stanley shrugged. He took the boar in the trailer, drove off to train it. Found a new partner for shows, dropped me off in the city and vanished.
Stupid me, Poppy muttered, slapping her forehead. I should call Charlie
Dont. He just saw me off. Said hed drop by tomorrow.
But you left your phone at home! How did he know where to pick you up?
He said hed been tracking us, making sure we were okay.
And he really said that?
Yes. He also said hes stuck to us now, unlikely to ever detach
