Poppy Jenkins

by Clare Ashton

Spring flowers burst from the hedgerow, florets of cow parsley and splashes of yellow buttercups attracting a buzz of bees, and Poppy breathed in as if to appreciate the scent of her paradise.

Clare’s writing is so whimsical and fucking devastating I absolutely adore this book

Whatever thoughts passed through her mind must have disappointed, and the air of friendliness from a few moments before seemed to dissipate. Rosalyn glanced at their group one last time and turned back with resignation. The Jaguar started with a powerful roar and pulled away.

picture perfect family is what y’all appear to be

“Ok.” Pip shrugged. “Shame.” “Why?” “Because she fancies you.”

I still love pip

Rosalyn jutted her jaw and began her work – the addition of a large penis down to the patient’s knees. She crossed her arms daring Poppy to tell on her. Poppy thought for a moment and at last decided, “You haven’t given him testicles.” Rosalyn grinned and added the missing organs.

Beneath Nain’s billowing dresses, gargantuan undergarments and breasts, lay the biggest heart

that’s so unnecessary lmaooo

“Usually comforting notes when I was worried about exams or someone had been horrid at school.” Poppy stared into the distance. “She stayed the night before exams because we calmed each other’s nerves, but she couldn’t before our GCSEs – her dad wanted her home. I thought I was going to have a heart attack the first night, I was so wound up. But she knew how I slept and left me a note: ‘I’m always here’. I held that note all night and slept like a baby.”

So flipping adorable

Thorn. So why was Poppy walking towards the Hall?

Exactly don’t listen!!!!

“I’ve had enough,” Rosalyn snarled and she threw down her pen. “I’m sick of school, and eisteddfods and local shows. I’m sick of idiots treating me like a child when they don’t have two brain cells to rub together. Don’t you people realise there’s more to life than this shitty village and just because I don’t fit in here doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with me – quite the contrary. There’s an amazing world out there, Poppy, full of intelligent people willing to try something new. They’re beautiful, exciting people with their sights set far beyond Mid-Wales.” She stared at Poppy. “So why the fuck would I spend another second with you?”

Damn I don’t remember it being this harsh😭

guessed.

Hemingway?”

What a coincidence that this was a hint in today’s NYT connections

Poppy’s gaze lingered on the soft mounds and presently managed to say, “What kind of cake do you like breast?” And she opened her hand to draw Rosalyn’s attention to the selection.

I can’t remember if Rosalyn is doing this all on purpose or not but it’s as hilarious as it was the first time I read it😭

face lit up with delight. “That’s even better than I anticipated.” She took another hungrier bite and a little

exasperation.

Poppy looked at her sister, hands on hips. “Have you seen her? She’s the kind of woman you see at film premieres. She’s beautiful. Magazine-cover gorgeous.” “So are you.”

Pip is the literal sweetest thing oml I love her

“She’s trying to choose something to wear,” Pip said in a knowing way. “Uhuh.” Rosalyn still only had eyes for Poppy. “I think she should wear the dress which shows her boobs.” “Excuse me?” Rosalyn looked at Pip. “The cream one—” “Pip,” Poppy growled. “The one with the neckline down to the bra—”

She’s just looking out for her darling sister! A true girl’s girl if u ask me!!

“Not everyone’s as angelic as Poppy you know.” Rosalyn’s confidence and ironic tone were back in force. “Evil lesbians exist too.”

She’s so hilarious but also always making herself the villain😭

“I didn’t even talk to her. Dai let it out. I heard them.” Her mother squeezed her tighter. “And what did she say?” “Nothing. She didn’t have to. Her face said it all. She couldn’t have been more horrified.”

These characters deserve Olympic medals for the leaps the take to jump to conclusions😭

“Girls?” Emma’s voice shouted from downstairs.

Emma I love u but goddamn give them a minute

need. Poppy slipped her fingers around the edge

“Hot.” Poppy gasped. Oh no. Alarmed, she shot a glance to Rosalyn. “It’s hot.” “You too,” Rosalyn said. “I mean, are you too? It’s hot by the kitchen. Isn’t it?”

😭

“Big cups,” she said with gusto, and came to a halt in front of Rosalyn’s chest – one large round vessel per ample white breast. “I mean we use big cups,” Poppy said distraught and her eyes shot as wide as the accompanying saucers. “Jugs?” Rosalyn said. “I mean, where are the milk jugs?”

Guys pls!! Full sentences

Rosalyn’s breath caught and she said, “I’m still in love with you.”

And the crowd is cheering!!!!

“I could never be with you.” Poppy glared. “How would I ever trust you? How could I believe you’d never break my heart? You can hurt me so easily because I’m weak when it comes to you. There’s a fracture where you broke my heart at sixteen, and if you did again I don’t think it would ever heal.” Rosalyn looked stunned. “If we started something,” Poppy said, “it would have to last forever. And when you despise almost everything about my life, I don’t believe it would.”

Miscommunication is like a huge part of the plot but when these ladies communicate they COMMUNICATE😭 so fucking real

clapped. “Now enough from you Glyn Owen,” Brenda

xenophobia.” “Poppy?” “Yes.” “Have you finished?” “Yes I have.” Dai’s expression softened. “How long have you been in love with Rosalyn?”

This part pissed me off so bad cause yes she’s in love with her but hello we’re having a broader conversation here time and place bruh

nodded. “We’ll never get married this year,” Mary said

“Do you like it?” Poppy climbed up a couple of steps and peeped inside, not wanting to intrude on the unfamiliar space. It was a tasteful and cosy attic room: simple white for decoration in between the wooden beams, a splash of colour from meadow flowers in a vase, an oak bedframe with soft cream duvet, all waiting for a couple to snuggle up inside. “Yes, I do. A perfect snug for a perfect house.” Rosalyn smiled, coy.

Glad you like it CAUSE ITS ALL FOR YOU ugh my heart

“Cover your eyes, Pip.” Nain’s strident tones cut through the air.

Y’all are interrupting!!!

“Yes, thank you, Dai,” Rosalyn said loudly. “Even when others failed Poppy, you were always there.” The words took Poppy’s breath away. She almost doubled over with their poignancy. She looked up to Rosalyn and saw her eyes full of regret and sorrow but also love. “I’m sorry, Poppy,” Rosalyn whispered. “I never should have left you. I should have been there for you too.”

Girl we in the middle of someone else’s wedding😭

Life is vibrant and delightful when I see it reflected in those eyes.

Rosalyn PINES okay??? She’s a real yearner!!!!

“I thought…” Poppy said. “I wondered if you’d be here. It seemed more likely you meant this to mean ‘home’.” “Yes, I did,” Rosalyn stuttered and she took a tentative step forward. “I’m more comfortable staying at the lodge than the Hall. Always have been. And I’ve been renovating it.” She waved her hand to walls that were half coated with white paint. “I’ve kept the map and the flower prints, I know you love those, and the book cases are beginning to fill. A few of your favourites are here, but there’s plenty of room for more.” She hesitated. “I wanted to make it a home. For me…. For us…” She looked all the more afraid, meaning it as a question.

A REAL YEARNERRRRRR A REAL LOVER GIRL!!!!

And for those who ponder such things, Rosalyn and Poppy did have their wedding. What was meant to be a small affair, a private little ceremony in the castle, expanded to include much of the village out of genuine love for this most popular of couples. A grand picnic followed on the castle grounds, with sparkling wines and a generous spread, on the sunniest day of the year. Their children came after, every other year: a tall, fiercely intelligent girl, highly protective of her good-natured younger sister, and two strapping boys, with the stature of the donor and the good looks of their carpenter grandfather. Two sets of grandparents, a great-grandparent and doting aunt Pip were overjoyed with their growing family. One grey cloud, early in the years that followed, was the passing of Mr Morgan Morgan. His wife, Eleanor, was in mourning for a week, but then took on a sunnier disposition. She was one of the most elated and moved by Poppy and Rosalyn’s wedding. She sat at the front, snug next to Cerys Mathews, wearing every colour of the rainbow.

Listeeeeeeeeen