Chapter 14 #2
“Yeah.” Carrie’s smile this time was forced.
Michael shifted closer and put his arm around her, instinctively knowing she needed comfort. She closed her eyes for a moment, his presence soothing her frazzled emotions.
Monty barked up at them, batting Carrie’s foot with his paw.
“I think someone is getting bored,” she said, opening her eyes. “Thank you for . . .” She gestured to the two of them.
“Any time,” said Michael, giving her a final squeeze before removing his arm. The move left Carrie feeling suddenly bereft.
“Fancy a paddle?” he suggested.
“Not really. The water will probably be freezing.”
“Don’t be such a wimp! Anyway, haven’t you heard of the benefits of ice baths?”
“I think you need to do more than just put your feet in for it to count as an ice bath,” Carrie pointed out.
“All right then,” said Michael, and before Carrie knew what had happened, he’d scooped her up and was running with her into the sea.
“Michael!” she squealed. “What are you doing? Put me down!”
“Sorry, can’t hear you over the waves,” he said, and continued in, though slower now as he was in past his knees.
“Put me down!” Carrie was laughing despite her predicament.
“Of course!” Michael promptly dumped her in the water.
In fairness, the water wasn’t as cold as she’d thought it would be, though it was still a shock.
She stood up, the water reaching just past her middle. She turned to face Michael, now busy grinning. She pushed her wet hair back out of her face.
“You thought that was funny, did you?”
“I’m afraid I did,” he admitted. “Though I wouldn’t be surprised if your shrieking burst one of my eardrums.”
“Not at all sorry,” Carrie said, splashing him.
“A water fight? Really? Are you a sucker for punishment?” He readied himself to send a huge splash her way.
“OK, OK.” She held her hands up. “Truce.” She walked towards him and lowered her hands, extending one to him.
“Good decision,” he said smugly, reaching out to shake her hand.
Carrie grabbed his arm with both her hands and pulled him forward into the water.
Her plan would have worked — had Michael not been quick enough to sweep her legs out from under her as he was going down.
Carrie went under again, this time with her mouth open and emerged from the water coughing and spluttering.
Michael was next to her immediately, steadying her, his hands on her waist. She caught her breath and realised quite how close Michael’s chest was.
And how much of it she could make out through his wet T-shirt.
She’d never been more grateful to be wearing a bra — and a new one at that after the last bra fiasco.
“That was a dirty move.” His grin was huge. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Carrie was becoming acutely aware of how warm his hands felt against her skin. “Genuine truce though?”
“Genuine truce now,” agreed Michael. His wink sent a tingle down her spine. They were staring into each other’s eyes and everything seemed to go very still.
Then Carrie felt something on her arm. She flinched and Michael immediately let go of her as she looked down to her side; Monty was swimming next to them. He gave her arm another little lick.
Carrie scooped him up. “Oh, Monty! Were you coming to rescue me?”
“I had no idea he could swim.” Michael said incredulously. “I guess you’re not quite as useless as I thought, eh?”
Carrie threw him a glare.
“Oh, come on! He leaves fur everywhere and I have to be medicated to have him in the house! I’m allowed a little dig every now and again!”
“Not in front of him,” Carrie said. “Come on, brave boy, let’s get you back to the beach.”
They trudged back to shore, Monty in Carrie’s arms.
“Look at the state of me,” said Carrie laughing once they were out of the water.
“I actually think you look pretty good . . .”
“Michael!” Carrie slapped his arm playfully. “We’ve only got ten minutes before we need to pick up Poppy! I can’t turn up like this. Plus I’ve got book club tonight!”
“Hand me the dog,” Michael said, and Carrie gave him Monty. “OK, so the plan is . . . race you to the bookshop! The last one back owes the other a drink.” With that he set off up the beach.
“You rotten cheat!” Carrie shouted as she started after him.
Her legs were burning by the time she reached the road running along the beach, and there was no chance she was going to beat Michael, but that didn’t mean she was ready to give up.
Plus, the faster she got back to the shop, the fewer people would see her in this state!
She ran up the hill, keeping Michael in her sight.
Her trainers were full of water and sloshed with every step.
She saw him reach the shop and took some delight that he needed to wait for her to claim his victory.
She slowed down to a walk as she got close, waving at a shocked Lucy who was mopping the floor of The First Sip.
“You are the most dreadful cheat!” she said as she neared Michael.
He shrugged. “You owe me a drink.”
“You should owe me one after dunking me!”
Michael laughed. “I’ll just be a minute getting changed, then I’ll run back down to get Poppy.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Just give the club a call to let them know I’ll be picking her up. You go and sort yourself out. I’ll take Poppy to mine. Layla’s got some paints out ready for her. If she’s really tired, I’ll pop her on the sofa with some cartoons.”
“Thank you!”
“Any time,” Michael said, with a smile, taking his keys out of his pocket with his spare hand. “We’ll see you in a bit.”
Carrie took off her shoes and sloshed her way up to the flat.
She quickly called the holiday club, then hurried into the bathroom where she stripped off her soaking clothes.
She turned the shower on to warm up, catching sight of herself in the mirror.
Her hair was crazy but she looked . . . really happy.
Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were pink and there would be no wiping the grin from her face.
She showered and changed into jeans and a three-quarter length sleeve top with a scooped neck.
It was just past six by the time she was knocking on Michael’s front door.
When he opened it, he was clearly just as fresh from the shower.
He smelled of citrus — and him. His hair was slicked back and there was a single drop of water on the side of his neck which she couldn’t seem to stop staring at.
“How much trouble am I in?” Michael asked as he closed the door behind them.
Monty came running to greet her, rolling on his back by her feet.
“Oh, lots,” she said. “How’s Poppy?” She bent down and gave Monty a tummy rub.
“Exhausted,” he said as they walked into the kitchen; half the table was covered in painting supplies. “She’s upstairs watching The Polar Express, somewhat bizarrely in August. She’s had a glass of water and a banana.”
“Thanks. I’ll go and check on her. Where’s Layla?”
“She popped out to the supermarket to get the smoothie she wanted in for Poppy.”
“That was sweet of her. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Carrie was accompanied by Monty up to the sitting room where Poppy was now asleep under a blanket in the corner of one of the sofas.
Bless her, her busy day had caught up with her.
Hot chocolates were being served on the Polar Express.
Monty got settled into his basket, clearly agreeing that a nap would be a very good idea.
Carrie turned off the television and went back down to the kitchen.
“She’s out for the count,” she said to Michael, who was peeling the potatoes for dinner.
“I suspected she wouldn’t last long. What time does book club start?”
“In forty-five minutes. I should go and get set up and I’ve got some quiches to warm through.”
“This oven’s on. Pop them in here. Would you like a cold drink?”
“That would be great. I think all the sea water I swallowed has made me extra thirsty.” Carrie pointedly glared at him but it ended on a giggle.
“Diet coke?”
“Thanks.”
“What do you want to do for food this evening?”
“I’ll just pick at all the bits at book club.”
“You need something proper before you go.” Michael went over to the fridge. He passed Carrie her drink and then began pulling various food items out.
“I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to do something for my aunt and the bookshop, to bring in some more local business, especially during the winter months when Seren says most custom comes from online orders.
I guess to leave my mark on the place a little .
. . An event or something . . . But I don’t know what and I’m running out of time. ”
“Sounds like you’ve got the perfect group to advise you coming this evening. I’d see what they have to say,” suggested Michael. “They love books and know the shop well.”
“Good idea,” Carrie said. “Thanks.”
“Hiya,” said Layla as she came into the kitchen.
“Did you find the one you wanted?” Michael asked from inside the fridge.
“Yep.” Layla pulled a bottle of smoothie out of her rucksack. “I’ll put the change in the drawer.”
“You didn’t have to go out to get a special drink for Poppy, you know,” Carrie said.
“It’s her favourite.” Layla shrugged.
“It is,” agreed Carrie, her heart full of how thoughtful Layla was when it came to anything to do with Poppy. “I’ll go and get those quiches.”
She was back a few minutes later with the snacks which Michael popped in his oven. He’d made her a smoked salmon salad with sesame dressing.
“Oh, thank you!” Carrie exclaimed, taking a forkful. “My goodness, this is delicious. I hadn’t realised how hungry I was.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Michael looked at her in a way that made Carrie’s stomach flip.
“I suppose you do owe me for that drenching,” said Carrie, making them both laugh. They took their drinks and Carrie’s food outside to enjoy the sunshine until she needed to get back next door.
“Layla?” Michael called up the stairs “Would you keep an eye on dinner for me for a few minutes? I’m just going to help Carrie set up for book club.”