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My mother left us early the following day, promising to return soon. The sun was shining and the foliage on the trees fluttered in a light breeze as we accompanied her into the village and waited with her for the bus, while Poppy darted around my feet, tugging at her lead and sniffing the pavement. A neighbour passed by with a white poodle which stopped to exchange playful growls with Poppy who skipped back and forth in an ecstasy of excitement. On the surface, everything in my life was perfect. At last my mother’s bus arrived and we said our goodbyes, after which Ben and I stood for a few moments watching the bus disappear down the road. Although I was annoyed with my mother, I was sorry to see her go, not least because once we were alone again, it would be time for me to confront Ben
