by Joan Jonker
‘No, we came for our buttonholes,’ Charles told her. ‘And as the adopted fathers of the prettiest flower-seller in Liverpool, we would like to be served by her fair hand.’
‘What’s he on about?’ Sarah Jane asked. ‘Who’s adopted who?’
Polly’s laugh rang out clear as a bell. ‘I’ve adopted them! Now I’ve got one real father and two adopted ones.’
Looking very puzzled, Sarah Jane scratched her head. ‘Well, if they’re yer adopted fathers, and I’m yer adopted grandma, what relation does that make them to me?’
‘It makes us all one big happy family, Grandma.’
‘Well, yer better give them two nice buttonholes or they’ll be unadoptin’ yer.’ The old lady growled: ‘And they can have them on the house, seein’ as they’re family.’
Polly chose two deep red carnations. She slipped them through their buttonholes and stood back to admire them. ‘You look very handsome and I’m proud of you.’ She felt Steve’s hand cover hers and turned to smile at him. ‘Aren’t I lucky, with the best family and friends anyone could have? And the best, most handsome boyfriend? If only I could have one wish come true, it would be that me real dad was here. My happiness would be complete. I’d ask nothing more from life.’
‘I told you to have patience, Polly, didn’t I?’ Charles had rung the hospital that morning to be told that Tommy’s improvement was holding steady. But he didn’t want to build Polly’s hopes up. ‘The day will come, my dear.’
‘Charles is right,’ John said. ‘It may be a while yet, but one day you will have him back with you.’
‘And when he is home, will you bring him down here one day?’ Polly requested eagerly. ‘I’d like to see the three of my dads together ’cos I want you all to be friends. You’ll like him, I know yer will, Mr Charles. You couldn’t help but like me dad, he’s so nice.’
‘He must be, to have a daughter like you,’ Charles said. ‘I’m sure we’ll all get on famously.’
Polly smiled up at Steve before folding her arms across her tummy and hugging herself. ‘Three handsome men to look after me until me dad comes home. Polly Perkins, you’re the luckiest girl under the sun.’
