Here's a breakdown of key events:
Flora:
* Living with her grandmother: Flora lives with her grandmother, Nana, after her parents have a messy separation. Nana is loving but increasingly forgetful due to Alzheimer's disease, which makes Flora feel responsible for her well-being.
* School struggles: Flora is a bright but shy girl who struggles to keep up with her schoolwork and faces bullying from her classmates.
* Friendship with Poppy: Flora finds solace in her friendship with Poppy, who is her confidante and a source of support.
Poppy:
* Dealing with her mother's struggles: Poppy's mother, Liz, is a struggling single parent who works multiple jobs and is constantly tired. Poppy often feels neglected and tries to be her mother's caregiver.
* Longing for a father figure: Poppy longs for a stable father figure and is initially excited about her mother's new boyfriend, Mike. However, things get complicated when Mike proves to be unreliable and manipulative.
* Facing difficult choices: Poppy has to make tough decisions regarding her mother's relationships and her own well-being.
Key Themes:
* Friendship: The strong bond between Flora and Poppy highlights the power of friendship in navigating difficult times.
* Family dynamics: The novel explores the complexities of family life, including separation, single parenthood, and dealing with elderly relatives.
* Growing up: The story delves into the emotional challenges faced by children as they mature, including dealing with bullying, self-esteem issues, and navigating relationships with adults.
* Resilience: Both Flora and Poppy demonstrate resilience as they face adversity and try to find their place in the world.
Overall, "Little Darlings" is a heartwarming story about friendship, family, and the resilience of young girls as they navigate the complexities of growing up.