Chapter 21

“This is Eirian,” Poppy said.

Luna nodded.

“Nice to meet you, young ma—”

“Eirian’s pronouns are they/them,” Poppy said hastily, and her mother faltered, frowned, and then nodded, slowly taking on board this new information.

“My apologies,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you, Eirian.”

She placed her handbag down on the kitchen table and went to the cupboard above the sink, running a tap for a moment as she filled a glass with water, her back to them so they could not see her playful expression.

“Tell me, Eirian,” she began, “are you responsible for my daughter having a split lip?”

She did not need to see her daughter’s face to feel the panic and embarrassment that she exuded.

“Mother!” the girl exclaimed.

She turned back, still smiling, and lifted her glass.

“Forgive me. A little parental humour.”

Eirian blushed and nodded.

“Y-Yes, ma’am.”

She beamed, thoroughly bemused by the situation.

“Well, Eirian, you seem very nice, but I think it’s getting late.”