Chapter 19
Carrie felt like a weight had been lifted from her when she was at work the next day, as if she’d finally been able to let go of the hold her father’s desertion had on her.
She was just finishing serving a customer, when the bell above the shop door gave its cheerful little jingle and her aunt walked in.
Carrie hurried around the counter to give her a hug. “You look wonderful!” she said. It was true. Auntie Mary’s holiday had clearly done her the world of good. Her eyes were sparkling and her lightly tanned skin glowed.
“So do you!” said Auntie Mary, holding Carrie at arm’s length so she could look at her. “Blimey! Life here really must suit you. Where’s that beautiful great niece of mine then?”
“She’s at holiday club.”
“Is she still enjoying it?”
“Absolutely loves it, and you wouldn’t believe how many friends she’s made. Though she also likes her mornings here, keeping everything running smoothly.”
“It looks like you’ve done a fantastic job. I’ve never seen the place look better. And I’ve heard wonderful reports about your Blind Date with a Book Night!”
“I can’t believe you came in when you’ve only been back, what, an hour or two?”
Auntie Mary laughed. “I know, I know! But I wanted to see you as well. And, you know, we stayed overnight in Bristol last night so there wasn’t too much travelling today.”
“Was it wonderful?”
“It really was. Holiday of a lifetime. I’ll bore you to tears showing you all the photos later, if you and Poppy will come for dinner tonight?”
“Don’t you want to rest up?”
“It’s you and Poppy — I’m hardly throwing a party! I’ll get something to throw in the oven. Oh, and thank you so much for the bits you picked up for me. The relief of having milk in for my tea when I got home. I can’t describe it.”
“It was absolutely the least I could do after everything you left in the flat upstairs for us!”
“I had to make sure you didn’t run off back to London, didn’t I?” she joked.
“We’d love to come for dinner tonight,” said Carrie. “But only if you let Poppy and I bring the food.”
“Well, doesn’t that sound just perfect?”
The door opened and Michael came in with Monty, who couldn’t decide if he was happier to see Carrie or Auntie Mary.
“Hello, Michael!” said Auntie Mary. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? I hope you and my niece have been getting on.”
Carrie’s face reddened at the memory of the previous night’s events. That man was such a good kisser . . .
“We have, indeed, Mary.” Michael gave her a peck on the cheek. “You look like you had a wonderful time.”
“I did,” Mary confirmed. “So you’ve been keeping an eye on Carrie?”
“To the best of my ability.” Michael smiled.
“He’s been absolutely amazing,” confirmed Carrie.
“I should think so,” said Auntie Mary. “I’ve thought for a long time that you two would be absolutely perfect together.”
Carrie and Michael turned a matching red.
“Michael has been helping me as a friend,” Carrie clarified.
“For now,” Auntie Mary said with a wink. “What have you got there?” she asked Michael, indicating a package wrapped in brown paper that he held in his spare hand.
“Just something for Carrie,” he replied, lightly.
Auntie Mary raised her eyebrows. “Anyway, Carrie, I will see you and Poppy later. Michael, darling, give Layla a hug from me and tell her I’m thrilled she’s working here now.”
“Will do,” said Michael and Auntie Mary left, waving goodbye.
“That was embarrassing,” said Carrie with a grimace.
“One of your aunt’s greatest qualities is her directness. That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway.”
Carrie laughed.
“Here,” he said, shyly, handing Carrie the package he held.
“What’s this?” Carrie said. “It feels like a book . . .” She carefully unwrapped it. “How did you find this?” she whispered in surprise as she turned over a copy of Little Women, the blue hardback edition she’d described to him as having had when she was little.
“It’s sort of what I do.” He laughed. “It’s the right one?” he confirmed.
“Yes,” Carrie said in awe, flicking through the book, entranced. She felt emotional as she pulled herself away from the pages to look up at Michael. “I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered. “It’s so thoughtful.”
Michael gave a little shrug, his eyes not quite meeting hers. “Your tale was so tragic, I had to do something about it.”
“I love it,” she said.
“How are you doing after yesterday?” he asked gently.
“Good,” said Carrie. “Thank you again. It seems it was bizarrely therapeutic and definitely helped me to let go of some stuff.”
“Anytime,” said Michael. “I’m just glad it helped.”
They stood staring at each other, neither of them seeming able to break away, until Michael finally gave his head a little shake and said, “Anyway, I mainly came by to see if everything was set for Poppy’s birthday tomorrow.”
“I think so. Seren’s going to run the shop for me and Poppy’s so excited. I really hope she likes her new bike. Thank you again for keeping it at your place for me.”
“Layla’s going to be making the extremely chocolatey cake this evening.”
“It’s so kind of her. Poppy will love it.”
“We’ll head off at about two tomorrow?”
“Sounds perfect,” said Carrie.
“OK, Layla and I will meet you by my car?”
“Great, see you then.”
* * *
Carrie closed up the shop and walked down the hill to pick up Poppy who was delighted they were going round to see Auntie Mary.
They took the car to the supermarket and picked up steak pies, chips and peas, which Carrie knew was one of Auntie Mary’s favourite meals as well as something that Poppy would happily eat.
They drove the few minutes to Auntie Mary’s where she had the door open before Carrie had even turned off her car’s engine.
Carrie got the food in the oven and they spent the evening chatting and playing Rummy, which Poppy picked up really quickly.
It turned out she was a natural card shark.
Seeing Poppy with her great aunt made Carrie miss her mum even more than she already was, with it being Poppy’s birthday the next day.
She and Poppy would speak with her tomorrow.
She suspected her mum would be wanting to check in on her again.
The conversation moved on to Poppy’s birthday plans and there was no missing the look of glee on Auntie Mary’s face when she learned how much of her great niece’s birthday would be spent with Michael.
“It sounds like you’re going to have a super day,” Auntie Mary said. “Do you think you could squeeze in breakfast with me at The First Sip?”
“I think that sounds like a lovely idea,” said Carrie.
“Yes, please!” said Poppy, excitedly. “This is going to be the best birthday ever.”