Chapter 25
They walked in silence through the house and out of the front door and began making their way down the hill to the beach.
“Just a second,” said Carrie. She ducked into an open off-licence and emerged a moment later with a bottle of red wine. “I owe you a drink from when you won our race,” she explained, making Michael smile.
The sun was beginning to set and the beach was quiet as they approached it, with just a few dog walkers and their hounds enjoying an evening stroll.
They sat down next to each other on the rock they’d sat on before and Carrie opened the screw cap on the wine and passed it to Michael who took a sip.
“Not bad,” he said. He let out a deep breath. “So, you’re back.”
“I am,” Carrie said. “I guess you could say I’ve seen sense.”
“How long are you planning to stay for?”
“We’re properly staying.” Carrie accepted the wine from him and took a swig before saying, “I accepted Auntie Mary’s job offer.”
Michael’ face burst into a grin which made Carrie’s stomach flip. “What made you change your mind?”
“A lot of things, mainly how miserable I was feeling and how sorry Poppy was to leave. I genuinely thought I was doing the right thing, but then Tony didn’t show up yesterday and it was like something clicked.
I realised that you were right: I couldn’t keep trying to make him into something he wasn’t.
I see how you are with Layla and with Poppy and I wanted him to be like that.
But it’s time to accept that’s not who he is.
I finally stood up to him, putting me and Poppy first.” She took another drink and passed Michael the bottle.
“Thank you for what you said,” she continued. “I know I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but you were right and I’m so, so sorry for the way I reacted.”
Michael held an arm out and Carrie moved in closer.
“And actually I think it’s better for Tony as well. He took Poppy out by himself for the first time today without me having to get involved when things went wrong.”
“He’d never successfully taken his daughter out by himself before? She’s seven!” said Michael incredulously.
“I know, I know.” Carrie put her head in her hands. “Not everyone can be a Super Dad like you, but I suspect I haven’t helped matters.”
“I’m not a Super Dad,” said Michael gently. “I’m just a guy doing his best to bring up a daughter he loves very much. It sounds like Tony is falling short by a massive margin.”
“He is, and I’ve made excuses for him to Poppy. He’s never had to deal with the repercussions of his actions.”
“Only because you wanted Poppy to have a relationship with her dad. It’s understandable.”
“But that didn’t need to be at the expense of my happiness. I’d put my life on hold in case he decided we were good enough for him. I just so wanted for Poppy to have a proper family.”
There was a pause before Michael asked quietly, “You want to get back together with him?”
“No!” said Carrie, shaking her head adamantly. “Absolutely not. But for a long time I thought that was what I wanted, for Poppy’s sake. It was coming here and . . . meeting you in particular that made me realise he would never make me happy even if he did want to be a family.”
“He’s an idiot to let you get away,” said Michael quietly.
They were both silent for a moment before Michael said, “Shall we walk?”
They got up and wandered further along, clambering over the rocks on to the next beach.
“Here’s the spot where you first attempted to entice me by showing me your bra,” Michael teased.
Carrie gave him a playful shove. “It was worth a try, right?”
“It was. But roping poor, innocent Monty in to help? Disgraceful!” He passed Carrie the bottle of wine.
“What can I say, I was desperate! How else was I supposed to get your attention?”
“Oh, you got my attention,” said Michael, with a smile.
“I’m glad it worked,” Carrie said, shyly. She took a sip from the bottle.
“This might sound a little strange but . . . when Layla and I are hanging out with you and Poppy, just cooking or whatever, it feels like how things are meant to be, or at least how I’d envisaged I’d like my life to be if that makes sense.”
“It does,” said Carrie, fiddling with the neck of the bottle. “It’s easy and fun and it’s so good to feel like there’s someone who’s got my back and who I can talk about stuff with.”
She passed the bottle to Michael without meeting his eyes.
“Yeah, and it helps that Layla thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread,”
Carrie laughed. “Poppy adores you.”
“Honestly, who can blame her.” Michael took a sip.
“I don’t think you necessarily have to be a biological father in order to be a good dad to a child.
Peter taught me that. I’m not trying to replace Tony.
He’s Poppy’s father and I respect that. But I really would like to be a big part of her life and for you to have the same with Layla, who frankly worships you already.
Being with you feels like what I was trying to achieve with Georgia, but .
. . it just wasn’t right. I was trying to force something.
As soon as you and I started hanging out together .
. . it was like, this is how it’s supposed to be, you know? ”
“Yeah, I know,” said Carrie. “And I know that things are complicated . . .”
“Well, as far as I can see you’ve done a pretty good job of uncomplicating things,” Michael said.
“But Layla . . . after what she went through at the beginning of the summer . . . I understand you worrying about dating anyone after that.”
“Carrie, Layla trusts you completely and she’s actually told me I needed to stop messing around and ask you out.”
Carrie realised she was holding her breath.
“So, are you going to?” she finally asked. “I mean I’m pretty sure Poppy would have absolutely no objection.”
Michael smiled. They stopped walking, and he propped the wine bottle up in the sand before taking Carrie’s hands in his.
“Putting our kids aside for a moment, I’m in love with you, Carrie,” he said, looking her right in the eyes. “Possibly from the moment my embarrassment of a dog stole your bra, but definitely for quite some time. So yeah, I’d quite like it if we could go on a date sometime.”
“I’d really like that,” said Carrie. “Especially because I’m in love with you too. But I do think that you should at least kiss me now. I did buy you a drink after all.”
Michael laughed and took her in his arms. He smiled as he leaned down and his lips touched hers, sending electricity coursing through Carrie.
It had never felt like this with anyone else before.
His kiss was almost painstakingly tender, like he was wanting to make the absolute most of the moment, savouring it as it deepened.
Finally they broke apart, aware that there were other people still on the beach.
“We’d better get back,” said Michael, resting his forehead against hers. “Layla won’t be pleased we’re holding up her birthday cake.”
“So, we’re doing this? Properly? You and me?” Carrie asked. “With all the exes and children, and kittens, and an interfering aunt involved?”
“Absolutely,” said Michael. He tilted her chin up gently and kissed her until she understood that there really wasn’t anything that could keep them apart and their life together was going to be wonderful.