Chapter 16 #2
“Shall we get back to the flat and watch a film together?” Carrie suggested. “We can make hot chocolates and snuggle under blankets and pretend it’s winter.”
“That sounds good,” said Poppy.
“Would you like me to see if Michael is free to come round for dinner?”
“Definitely.”
“I’ll message him. And are you positive about what you’d like to do for your birthday? As long as Michael and Layla are free.”
“Yes.” Poppy nodded and nodded some more. “I really want to go bouldering and make pizzas.”
“OK,” said Carrie. “Then that is what we’ll do for your birthday.”
Michael replied to her message almost immediately. I’d love to. Will be with you by about six thirty.
They dropped Michael’s car keys back to him after parking in his spot. He was serving a customer but gave them a smile of thanks. “I’ll see you later,” he said, making Carrie’s stomach do its flip again.
Carrie considered what she could do about her own car, but it was Saturday afternoon. Most garages would be closed. It would have to wait until Monday.
They walked through the bookshop, saying hi to Seren and Layla, and went up to the flat.
Carrie put the shopping away while Poppy was in charge of choosing the movie and collecting blankets. Poppy then decided to get into her pyjamas so she would be extra comfy.
Carrie made hot chocolates and they watched Despicable Me snuggled up together. It was still raining and Carrie loved glancing out of the window every now and again at the miserable weather.
Carrie started cooking once the film had finished. She’d decided to make beef-loaded potato wedges and began frying up beef mince and onions and chopping up potatoes. Poppy sat up at the kitchen island drawing and chatting with her.
Michael arrived accompanied by Monty right when he said he would. Carrie hadn’t realised how so many years of Tony being completely unreliable and late for everything had made her accept that as a norm.
Monty made himself comfortable on the sofa and they sat down for dinner and then finished planning out Poppy’s birthday.
Poppy seemed to appreciate how seriously Michael was taking it and was thrilled to learn that she was invited to Layla’s birthday party.
Carrie made a mental note to prepare Poppy for the fact that a teenage party would probably be missing party bags and musical statues.
Michael insisted on clearing up while Carrie ran Poppy her bath and helped her wash her hair.
Poppy wanted Michael to read her more Olga da Polga; they were on the second book now. Carrie pottered around making Poppy’s room nice for her and tidying up the bathroom before joining them both downstairs.
“Can Michael come up and tuck me in too?” Poppy asked when it was time for her to go to bed.
Carrie’s heart suddenly sank. It was really lovely that Poppy liked Michael so much, but by letting them get close because she was enjoying Michael’s company herself meant Poppy was going to end up getting hurt exactly like she was beginning to worry she herself was.
Was Poppy becoming so close to Michael because she’d never had a strong relationship with her own father?
Carrie turned to Michael who raised an eyebrow, checking her approval. She gave a little nod.
“Absolutely,” he said.
Michael and Carrie followed Poppy up the stairs to her bedroom, where she showed Michael all her teddies before Carrie kissed her goodnight on her forehead and tucked her in.
Carrie and Michael were almost out of the bedroom when Poppy said, “Mummy?”
“Yes, Pumpkin?”
“Can we keep Katniss? Please?”
“Katniss?”
“That’s what Layla and I think we should name the littlest kitten. Michael and Layla aren’t going to keep the kittens because of Michael’s allergies. But she’s so little, she needs us to look after her.”
“Oh, Pumpkin. I really wish we could, but we’re not allowed to have a kitten in our flat in London. Our landlord won’t let us.”
Poppy looked like she was about to cry.
“How about Layla and I look after Katniss for you?” Michael suggested, kindly. “We can send you pictures and videos of her and you can see her whenever you come to visit Auntie Mary.”
“We’ll be coming to visit you as well now!” Poppy said firmly.
“I’m very glad to hear that,” said Michael.
Carrie and Michael went out of the bedroom, and Carrie closed the door behind them.
“What about your allergies?” she whispered.
“Katniss is so little, she needs us to look after her! Come on. How am I supposed to get rid of that kitten now? There’s no way Layla would have let me anyway. And, actually, my allergies aren’t that much worse with the kittens around.”
“You are such a soft touch.” Carrie shook her head. “Tea?” she suggested.
“That sounds really good.”
Carrie made the drinks and joined Michael who’d sat back down on the sofa and was now flicking through a book on Norse mythology. She handed him his mug. “A bit of a random choice,” she said, indicating to the book.
“Not at all. I love mythology from all over the world. Have done since I was a kid. I’ve got quite a collection of books on the subject, many of them either bought or gifted from your aunt.”
“That’s lovely,” said Carrie, pulling a blanket over herself.
“Wanna tell me what was going on about Poppy’s birthday earlier?” Michael asked, gently. “You seemed . . . unsure about me being involved. I honestly don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not at all,” said Carrie, quickly. “I just felt bad because I thought Poppy had put you on the spot and you might not want to do what she’d planned out.”
“It’s her birthday. Of course I want to do what she wants. I’m not interfering too much though? You must tell me if you need me to back off and leave you two to it.”
“No. It’s actually really good to have someone to plan her birthday with.
My mum’s wonderful but she’s not just down the road, and it’s just nice not to have to organise everything myself.
But then I feel bad because it should be Tony who I’m planning our daughter’s birthday with.
Not that he’s ever been interested in any of this to be honest, even if he wasn’t in Germany. ”
“He sounds like a bit of an idiot.”
“I’d like to be able to argue with you about that, but . . .” Carrie shrugged. “Let’s not talk about Tony, yeah?”
“No problem. Oh, there’s a really great ice cream place I know. It’s right by the sea and on the way back from the climbing centre. I thought Poppy might like to go there on the way back from bouldering on Tuesday.”
“She would love that. You know how she feels about ice cream.”
“I do.” Michael laughed. “Layla’s no different on that front. Mary’s back on Monday, isn’t she?”
“She is. I really hope she’s happy with the way I’ve looked after the shop while she’s been away. I know how much it means to her.”
“You’ve done a great job — with Poppy’s help of course.”
“It would be a mess without Poppy,” Carrie said with a laugh.
“I’d better get back to check on Tabitha and the kittens,” Michael said, finishing his tea.
“Thanks again for dinner — it was delicious. Oh, I forgot to say that your car’s working fine now.
The battery was flat, but I got it going and then a mate of mine popped over and gave it a once-over and we took it for a spin. ”
“Oh, my goodness, thank you! You’re an angel! I didn’t expect you to do that.”
Michael reached out for her hand. “Carrie, I’m happy to help you out. You help me out too. No worries.”
“What do I owe your friend?” Carrie tried to ignore the way her body seemed to be waking to his touch.
“He didn’t charge,” said Michael. “He just came over at lunchtime and we had a catch up.”
“Thank you so much! I was dreading having to take it to the garage on Monday and being landed with a huge bill.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said, giving her hand a final squeeze before letting go and telling Monty the unfortunate news that he’d have to get up.
Why did he have to be so perfect? Carrie mused as they said their goodbyes.