Poppy was born in February 2021, during the winter lockdown.
Michael rang us after she and Leanne were home. We had already received messages and one photograph, but he wanted to make a video call so we could see her properly.
Alan and I sat together with the phone propped in front of us. We joined too early and spent several minutes looking at ourselves.
‘Move back,’ I told him.
‘You move back.’
‘It’s my phone.’
This did not settle anything.
Michael appeared holding Poppy. Leanne was beside him and looked tired. We asked how she was before asking about the baby, because there are rules about these things and Claire had trained us well.
Poppy was asleep. Michael turned the phone towards her and then too close, so the picture became one cheek and part of an ear.
‘Further away,’ Alan said.
Michael moved it too far.
Leanne took the phone from him.
Poppy had dark hair and a serious expression, though she was asleep and had made no decision about us. I wanted to pick her up. Instead, I asked her weight and whether she was feeding.
Michael answered the weight. Leanne answered the rest.
They had named her Poppy Joan.
Alan said, ‘That’s your mum’s name.’
‘I know.’
Michael said they had wanted a family name and liked the way it sounded. I said it was lovely. There was no need to say more with everybody looking at me on a screen.
We had bought clothes and a soft blanket. They remained at our bungalow until we could pass them on. I checked the size twice because babies do not wait for regulations to change.
Over the next few weeks, we saw Poppy through photographs and calls. Michael learnt to hold the phone far enough away. Leanne gave the more reliable reports. Alan spoke to Poppy as if she could follow a technical explanation.
When visits became possible later, we met her in person. Michael handed her to me after I had washed my hands and received the current instructions.
She looked different from the screen. Babies usually do.
Alan waited beside me for his turn.