Page 1 of The Lie

Chapter 1

Poppy

I lean forward in my seat and slide my hand into the front pocket of my backpack, glancing down at my phone. My stomach drops when I see the time.

Dammit. Where is he? He should’ve been here an hour ago.

As if she can read my thoughts, Nanna glances over at me. “I’m starting to wonder if this boyfriend of yours even exists, Poppy,” she says, her tone suspicious.

“Of course he does,” I retort, a little too quickly. The defensiveness in my voice gives me away, and I hate myself for it. I hate lying to her, but I have my reasons.

My grandmother arches an accusatory eyebrow. It’s the exact same look that used to drag every confession out of me when I was a little girl. I never could hide anything from her.

“Mmm,” she hums, her voice laced with doubt. “Well, if this mystery man ever decides to show up, I’d like to meet him before I die.”

Her words cut deeper than she realises.

My fingers tighten around my phone as I force myself not to look away. Her death is inevitable. The doctors have made that painfully clear. But I’m not ready to deal with everything that comes after. Not yet.

I swallow the lump forming in the back of my throat and blink back the tears threatening to break free. I’ll have plenty of time to fall apart once she’s gone. Right now, she just needs to believe I’ll be okay when she leaves this earth. That someone will be there to look after me when she can’t. Because I know that’s her biggest fear.

I force a smile, hoping it looks more convincing than it feels. “He’ll be here,” I say softly. “He promised.”

“This is the second time he’s let you down. If this man of yours actually exists, are you sure he’s the right person for you?”

“His car broke down last time, Nanna. He couldn’t exactly help that.”

It’s not like she hasn’t met my previous boyfriends over the years, but I understand why she’s concerned.

I’ve spent my entire life with my grandparents. They’ve been my world. When my grandfather passed four years ago, everything changed. It’s been Nanna and me ever since, and soon, I’ll be facing life without either of them.

“You’re so headstrong and focused, Poppy,” she says gently. “A wishy-washy partner doesn’t seem to fit with the life you’re building for yourself. You deserve someone who shows up, sweet girl. Someone who keeps their word.”

I stand, sliding my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. These small white lies are beginning to mount up, and even though I’m telling them because I love her, I hate the way they make me feel.

“I’ll step out and call him to see what the holdup is.”

As I turn towards the door, she reaches out and takes my hand. “You know I love you … I just want what’s best for you.”

“I know, Nanna,” I reply, blinking rapidly as tears sting my eyes. “I’m sure there’s a good reason for the delay.”

I straighten my spine and make my way towards the exit, carrying the weight that’s been pressing down on my chest for weeks.

The door clicks shut behind me, muting the steady beeping of the machines keeping her comfortable. She has enough to worry about right now. The last thing she needs is to spend her final days or weeks worrying about me.

I lean back against the wall and allow myself a moment before releasing a shaky breath.

The hallway feels cold and empty, just like the house has felt since Nanna’s health started declining. It’s the kind of silence that makes every thought louder.

That woman is my rock, and I can’t let myself imagine a world without her in it.

She hasn’t even gone yet, and already I can feel everything changing. I’m trying so hard not to let the grief consume me, but the reality of what’s coming sneaks up on me when I least expect it.

Like right now.

I wipe the back of my hand across my eyes before pulling my phone from my pocket. Scrolling through my contacts, I find Riley’s number and hit call.

He answers on the second ring, “Hey.”