Colin was exhausted from endless nights out, onenight flings and a parade of dates. When he met the simple, cheerful and sharpwitted Poppy, he feltfinallythat this was the real thing. They drifted into a cosy café, listened to a busker playing on the corner, chatted about his recent promotion and her love of contemporary verse, and discovered a shared fondness for eggsalad with apples. It was clear they ought to move forward.
Poppy chose her flat in Camden as the venue for the next step and invited Colin over for dinner. He pulled on his best shirt, shaved, memorised a few odd lines from one of Poppys favourite poets, bought a bunch of roses and a bottle of red wine. He headed to her place feeling lighthearted and certain that the evening would be memorable. His confidence could have made any cat, prowling to its bowl fifteen times a day, jealous. Everything was planned down to the last detail, except for the words, Good evening, Im Steve. My mums in the shower, come on in.
Colin froze. A squarejawed, boyish face stared down at him, the owner of that face extending a hand that could easily have wrapped around Colins head. At first Colin thought hed knocked on the wrong door, but when Steve let out a loud, comical sneezemouth shut, fingers pinching his nose, just as Poppy always didany doubt vanished. Colins mood began to slip, the wine turned sour, the flowers started to wilt.
He stepped inside and, seeing Steves sneakers, let out a gasp. He could have slipped them over his own dress shoes and theyd still have been too big. Poppy was barely taller than the boy. Colin suddenly thought it a pity that women didnt know how to treat gold the way a jeweller doeshand a ring now, and in ten years youll have a wedding band (not a bad investment). He drifted to the kitchen where the table was already set and Steve was swapping curtains without a stool.
Five minutes and Im out! a voice called from the bathroom.
After five rounds of five minutes, the bathroom door finally swung open and Poppy emerged, wrapped in an evening dress, makeup glowing. Seeing Colins sour expression, she instantly grasped what was wrong; the tension evaporated, taking the romance with it. She placed the food and wine on the table herself, poured a glass, and began to eat without waiting for him.
Why didnt you say you had a child? Colin blurted, feeling cheated.
Scared of the trailer? Poppy replied with a rueful smile.
Its not a trailer, its a whole train, he retorted.
Big, huh? Thats my expartner, from a remote Yorkshire village. Bigger than any of us. He once wrestled a bear with his bare hands.
And where is he now? Colin choked.
Touring with the bear, actually. He left us for a big stage. Sometimes he writes letters, though the handwriting looks like the bears own, as if his conscience were larger than his brain.
How old is he? Colin asked, nodding toward the wall.
Fourteen, just got his passport taken.
Strength?
Very funny.
Silence settled as they ate; conversation never quite clicked.
More meat? Colin asked, reaching for another plate.
Like it?
Honestly, Ive never tasted anything better. What is it?
Moose. Steve cooks it.
Impressive talent.
It came from his dad, along with an ancient cookbook, a set of knives, some fishing rods, a boat and a heap of other oddities hes managed to hoard.
A boat? Colin swallowed hard.
Yes, stored in the cellar. Occasionally its there. The lad is an avid fisherman.
At that moment Poppys phone buzzed. She apologized and slipped into another room to answer.
Its time to head home, Colin thought. He had nothing more to catch.
Poppy, I need a favour, she returned, a little nervous. Theres been an accident at work. Could you mind looking after Steve for a couple of hours?
Me? With Steve? Colin was taken aback.
Hes underage, you never know what could happen. People are wandering the flats these days
Youre afraid hell be snatched?
Anyway, Poppy changed tone, Ill pay you for the lost evening and the babysitting, and then I wont call again, deal?
What am I supposed to do with him?
Just chatmen do that. Ive got to run.
Colin didnt get a chance to answer before Poppy was out the door in a hurry. He lingered in the kitchen, drained his phone, finished the moose, and finished his wine while waiting for Poppys return, which never came.
When he reached Steves bedroom door, familiar sounds drifted out.
It cant be, Colin muttered and knocked.
Open.
He pushed the door gently and entered a childrens room. The first thing he saw was a large wooden target studded with knives and arrowsno holes in the walls, the arrows always hit the bullseye. A vinyl record player sat on a table, lowvolume Iron Maiden tracks playing, a band Colin adored. Steve sat in a corner, fiddling with fishing tackle. On a shelf were silverware, a boxing bag hung from the ceiling, and a brandnew gaming console lay beside the TV.
Your mum does a good job, Colin whistled enviously. Ive always dreamed of a room like this.
I work in the summer, Steve replied, and Colin felt a pang of shame. He imagined Poppy searching for an endless wallet for her endless lad, but the boy seemed selfsufficient.
Do you have a phone charger? Colin asked, holding up his phone.
Near the railway line, Steve said, pointing.
The railway line? Colin repeated, disbelief in his voice, then turned to see an actual set of tracks sprawling outside the window, and he forgot how to breathe.
You built it yourself? he asked quietly, not to break the spell.
Yep. Im buying bits here and there, trying to make a second tier and a few bridges. A new box of rails just arrived, but my hands cant reach them yet.
Heat rose in Colins head and chest.
Can we run a little circle? he asked Steve.
One minute, Steve replied, setting aside his tackle, standing tall and crossing the room in a single stride.
***
Poppy returned an hour later, convinced Colin had disappeared, and rushed straight to the boys room, where she found the two of them assembling the railway. At first glance it was hard to tell which man was older.
Colin, its time to go home, Poppy whispered.
Right uhwhat time is it? Colin sprang up.
Its half past eleven, Poppy yawned, exhausted. I have to deal with another incident tomorrow morning, so I need to sleep.
She walked him to the door, kissed his cheek and handed him a few notes.
I dont take money from women, Colin said, disdainful.
Thanks for looking after my trailer, Poppy replied.
Colin managed a brief smile and left.
***
A few days later Colin called, Hey, could I pop round again?
My works swampedno time for relationships. And after our last meeting
Can I still see Steve?
Steve? Poppy sounded puzzled.
Yes, maybe keep an eye on the little guy?
Im not sure Id have to ask him.
Ive already texted him. Hes fine. I bought a new game for his Xbox, well hang quietly while you deal with your stuff.
Alright, Ill come tonight.
That evening Colin arrived in a completely different guise. No shirt, no perfume, no wine, no sultry glances. He wore a plain black tee with his favourite bands logo, a backpack stuffed with crisps and soda, and a goofy, teenage grin.
Just keep it downIve got a twohour video call soon, Poppy greeted him in a housecoat, a fabric mask covering her face and a hint of onion breath.
Colin nodded and slipped into the childrens room.
Later that night Poppy managed to pry Colin and Steve apart as they debated Balabanov versus Guy Ritchie, each defending his favourite with fierce passion. They were about to start a sixhour film marathon when Poppy convinced them both were victims of bad taste and ushered Colin out.
Dont forget the bait on Saturday! Steve shouted from the room.
What bait? Poppy asked Colin.
Were going for pike. I told Steve theres a shop that sells topnotch bait. Ive never been on a fishing trip in a thousand years.
Youre really friends, arent you? Want to spend time with me?
You can come and slice some sandwiches.
Fine, Ive nothing better to do. Go on, enjoy your fishing, Poppy smiled, ushering Colin out. My job always eats up my time, but at least the childs occupied.
***
A month passed. Poppy threw herself into work, romance fading into the background. Meanwhile Colin and Steve used the time productively: they finished the railway, caught crayfish, brewed a batch of homemade ginger beer from an old family recipe Steve inherited, Steve taught Colin basic navigation in the woods, and Colin showed the lad the basics of flirting, even helping him ask a classmate out. Everything ran smoothly until one evening a frantic knock sent a cascade of light fixtures crashing from the ceiling.
Poppy opened the door to a wave of bearmeat scent. On the doorstep stood her exhusband, a hulking man, and Steves father.
Ive finally realised, he announced, kneeling despite his size. Potap and I are tired; we want a quiet family life. Ive saved enough, Ill take you and Steve 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, I signed a contract with a film studio behind my back, the husband muttered.
So thats it, Poppy crossed her arms. You were just used.
It doesnt matter! The point is Im
He was cut off as Colin appeared in Poppys football shirt.
Mash, I grabbed your shirt because mine got dirty while Steve and I were repainting the train, Colin said.
Can anyone finish a sentence in this flat? Poppy asked, eyeing the two men.
This who? the husband asked, fist raised toward Colin.
This this is Poppy faltered.
Steve burst from the room, slammed the husbands arm against the wall and snarled, Its a trailer!
Steve! Son! Its me, dad! What trailer? the man wheezed.
Its the trailer that helps us haul everything you left behind, Steve growled.
But I left nothing, the man admitted, finally understanding.
Colin and Poppy huddled in a corner, watching the giants tussle.
Alright, alright, break, the father shouted, releasing his grip. You did well, son. We could go after a boar nowmaybe tomorrow? Talk, catch up on lost time? Im a father, after all, he said, looking at his exwife.
Poppy was at a loss, glancing between the man and Colin, unsure what to say.
Yes, I get it, Colin nodded, standing to leave.
Sorry he murmured.
The next morning the father and son left at dawn, returning late that night alone.
Wheres dad? Poppy asked, irritated.
Hes gone, Steve said, slipping off his shoes.
How can he just be gone?
Not exactly. He took the boar in the trailer, drove it away for a training session, found a new partner for shows, delivered me to the city and left.
Stupid me, Poppy slammed her forehead. I should call Colin.
He just drove me home. He said hed stop by tomorrow.
How did he know where to pick me up?
He told me hed been watching, making sure everythings alright with us.
And he said hes stuck to us now, unlikely to ever detach?
Yes.
In the end Colin realised that chasing endless thrills and quick connections only leads to hollow evenings. He learned that true steadinessfound in honest work, modest friendships, and caring for those who truly matteroutlasts any fleeting romance. The lesson lingered: the best journeys are those taken with genuine people, not just fastmoving trailers.
