“Whyever not? You’ll both have a wonderful time. I’d pay you of course!”
The extra income would be handy, Carrie thought. But how on earth was her aunt going to be able to pay her out of the meagre takings from her little bookshop in Castle Cove on the South Cornish coast? Bookshops were closing everywhere, especially in sleepy little towns in the middle of nowhere. She was amazed Aunt Mary even covered her rent to be honest.
“It will do you both the world of good to get away for a while and I’ve just had the flat above the shop redecorated so it’s all yours.”
“That’s very kind of you . . .”
“Poppy would love it here, you know. Do you remember what a lovely time you used to have visiting when you were little?”
“I do,” said Carrie, waving at Poppy who was at the top of the slide. She did indeed have wonderful memories of visiting her aunt in her sweet seaside town during the holidays. Of reading for hours in the corner of the bookshop on a huge cushion. Of walking the coastal path with Uncle Tom, who’d passed away eight years ago. Of staying in the little flat above the shop, sharing the spare bedroom with her mother. Of smelling bacon cooking in the morning because her aunt always insisted everyone start the day with a proper breakfast.
She smiled. She hadn’t been to Castle Cove since before Poppy was born. Her boyfriend, Tony — Poppy’s dad — had considered the little town boring and had never been keen to visit. When their relationship ended, she’d been preoccupied with raising her daughter by herself with an ex who was barely around. Ends barely met so finances couldn’t stretch to the cost of the journey down to Cornwall. She knew if she’d explained to her aunt, Mary would have sent the money to enable them to visit, but it didn’t feel right to ask. Instead, Carrie had used the excuse of busyness and Auntie Mary visited her and her mum in London every year. Finances were definitely easier now that Carrie was working and not having to pay for childcare, but they’d stayed settled in that routine.
“And you worked here that summer before university, so you know how everything works...” Mary was continuing.
“I’m pretty sure at least some things must have changed in what, sixteen years?” Carrie chuckled.
“Well, yes, there have been changes. But you’ll soon pick it up,” her aunt reassured. “I know I’ve surprised you with this, so take a little while to think about it. I’ll need an answer as soon as possible though if I’m going to try to find someone else. But you’d both have the most wonderful time!”
“I’ll think about it, Auntie Mary,” said Carrie, unable not to laugh at her aunt’s evident enthusiasm but knowing how determined she could be once she got an idea in her head.
There was a pause before Mary, in a softer tone, said, “I think it would do you good, too.’ She then continued, “Anyway, I’d better get back to things — some customers have just come in. Love you!”
“Love you too,” Carrie said before ending the phone call. She couldn’t say she wasn’t at least a little bit tempted. It had been so long since she’d been to Cornwall, and she’d love to see her aunt’s bookshop again. And it would be good to get out of London. Poppy would love the beach and taking her away would relieve some of the guilt she felt at not treating Poppy to somewhere like Disney World, even if it would be a working holiday. But she couldn’t just go to Castle Cove for a month... Poppy’s dad was taking her out to London Zoo on Sunday for a start. Come to think of it, she hadn’t heard from Tony about what time he was going to pick Poppy up.
Poppy was still having a lovely time in the playground, so Carrie decided to call him while she had a few minutes. From experience she knew he’d ignore any WhatsApp message she sent. His phone rang for an age before he finally picked up.
“Hey,” he said, sounding distracted. “What’s up?”
“Hi. I just wanted to check what time you’re picking Poppy up on Sunday?”
The line went silent for a minute.
“Sunday . . . yeah, about that . . .”
Carrie’s heart sank. Poppy had been so excited about going to the zoo with her dad, who never managed to fit in seeing her more than about twice a month. Carrie didn’t know why she continued to be surprised when Tony did things like this. She guessed she was still waiting for him to realise just how amazing the child they’d made together was and how he could have much more of a relationship with her if he’d simply make space for Poppy in his life.
“She’s really excited about it, Tony...” Carrie regretted her words instantly. She didn’t want to come across as nagging. That was a surefire way to put him on the defensive and to not get what she wanted.
“Yeah, I know. But I’ve been offered a job in Germany for the next few weeks. Touring with a bunch of wrestlers.”
Tony had done a wide variety of jobs in the ten years Carrie had known him — most of them seasonal. That way there wasn’t enough time for him to get bored or fired from them. And to think, she’d found his laid-back, let life take you wherever it’s meant to attitude so attractive when they’d first been introduced by a mutual friend in a random pub one night.
“Oh, right,” was all she managed to say.
“Yeah, I’ll be in charge of their merch stall. Pretty sweet gig. Josh recommended me...”
“How many weeks exactly?”
“Um... it’ll be more like a couple of months.”
“And you’re definitely doing it?”
“I’d be a fool not to, to be honest. Tell Poppy I’ll take her to the zoo when I get back. And the cinema.”
“I’ll let her know,” said Carrie, doing her best to hide her frustration.
“Thanks. Oh, I don’t suppose you could lend me a couple of hundred quid, could you? We have to pay for our own flights out there.” Tony had asked her for money so many times overthe years. She could actually picture the way he was running his hand through his long, dark hair, practically batting his eyelashes at her as he put in his request.
