Happy Ever After Read Online Free PDF Page B

would have to be cancelled. Then she then started sobbing.
    â€œOh dear!” Granny Bumble gave her a hug. “You are in a pickle. You know, the best thing to do is tell your parents what you’ve done. They might be cross to start off with but they won’t be for long, I promise you.”
    â€œI’ve tried,” said Poppy in between sobs, “but they won’t listen to me!”
    â€œWell, keep trying, dear. Everything will work out in the end. You mark my words,” Granny Bumble told her.
    That night, when Mum came in to kiss Poppy goodnight and tuck her in, she was looking very tired and sad and Poppy knew that if she tried to explain things, Mum would just tell her to stop . When Mum had gone Poppy tossed her favourite fairytale book into the back of her toy cupboard. After everything that had happened she was beginning to think that fairytales were silly.

    Poppy couldn’t stop worrying that her mum and dad didn’t love each other any more – and that she had made things worse with her stupid date idea. Still, there was a wedding to look forward to, she told herself. Poppy loved what she was wearing and thought that Sally and Sol’s plans sounded wonderful, but she could not summon up her usual enthusiasm. Worst of all, Mum and Dad were so busy that despite all her efforts Poppy still hadn’t managed to explain the mix-up with the love letter. Things between her parents were very frosty indeed.
    One night not long before the wedding, when Mum was tucking Poppy in, she noticed that the fairytale book was missing.
    â€œWhat happened to the fairy stories Grandpa gave to you?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t believe in fairy tales any more,” said Poppy sadly.
    â€œOh, Poppy!” said Mum. “Don’t be so silly. Fairy tales are wonderful – you’re much too young to stop believing in them.
I
still believe! Night, night, darling! Sleep tight.”
    Now that Poppy had got into this sad mood, she was always noticing how happy other people’s parents were – so much happier than her own – and it made her worry even more. It seemed to her that no one else’s parents squabbled. She paid special attention when she was at Peppermint Pond with Grandpa and the twins. Abi’s mum and dad were laughing and holding hands as they walked their new Dalmatian puppy. On the way back she saw Saffron and David through the window of the Hedgerows Hotel. They were chatting and laughing and holding hands over a meal. As she walked along the river bank she saw Sweetpea’s mum and dad out cycling. They were having a race and were giggling and calling out to one another.

    Back at Honeysuckle Cottage Poppy heard Mum and Grandpa chatting over a cup of tea while she played with the twins in the sitting room.

    â€œShe’s not herself, Lavender,” said Grandpa. “I don’t know what’s up, but there’s definitely something bothering her. She hardly spoke at all while we were out – and that’s very unlike the Princess Poppy I know!”
    â€œEverything’s fine,” said Mum. “I’ve just taken on too much work for the wedding, that’s all, Dad, and I think Poppy’s feeling a bit left out. Although the other night she did say she didn’t believe in fairy stories any more. I never thought I’d see the day . . . But I’m sure it’s just a phase.”
    â€œWell, you know best, but we don’t want our princess to stop believing in fairy tales for ever, do we?” said Grandpa.
    Poppy thought about what Grandpa had said. She remembered that there were always lots of problems in all her fairy stories, but that true love conquered all in the end. Maybe things would work out OK after all – she just needed a new plan.
    That night Poppy got the fairytale book out of her cupboard and read through it for ideas.
    Hmmm. Snow White . . . Sleeping Beauty . . .