“Carrie?” said Layla, coming over shyly. “My dad was wondering if you and Poppy would like to come round for a barbecue tonight?”
“Oh, that’s very nice of him,” Carrie said.
“Can we go, Mummy? Please?” begged Poppy.
“Sure. That’s very kind of your dad, Layla.”
“You haven’t tasted his cooking yet,” warned Layla.
Carrie laughed. “We’d love to come, thank you!”
“Excellent. Dad says to come at six and to walk around the back as we’ll all be in the garden. Oh, and, of course, you’re invited too, Seren!”
“Thanks, I’ll try to come by,” said Seren, looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
Carrie felt a surprising rush of disappointment. She’d thought Michael was inviting her and Poppy especially, which was ridiculous, but she couldn’t help but feel a bit despondent that it was clearly more of an open invitation for anyone who fancied coming.
How well did he know Seren? Had they been for coffee together? She told herself she was being ridiculous. Michael wasn’t interested in her, a single mum who was only going to be around for a few weeks and who, from what he’d seen, wore terrible underwear. She shook her head. What was she even doing thinking about Michael like that? He was a new friend and nothing more. She had Poppy to think about and surely the only man she should be contemplating being with was Tony. He was Poppy’s father after all. But there was nothing between her and Tony, and he certainly never made her stomach twist in knots from just an invitation for coffee.
This barbeque sounded like it would be a good opportunity to meet some more of the locals though. And it would save her needing to cook which was a definite plus.
* * *
Carrie and Poppy went upstairs and got a picnic together for their lunch. It was such a gorgeous day, Carrie suspected the beaches would be absolutely packed and too hot for them anyway, but she knew a lovely forest trail her aunt and uncle had taken her on a few times. It would be much cooler and quieter there. Best of all, it was only ten minutes away by car.
They meandered around the trails in the forest for a couple of hours, stopping at a picnic bench to eat their lunch of ham rolls, crisps and apples, and whenever Poppy saw something she wanted to investigate or climb. Carrie taught Poppy how to play Pooh sticks on a wooden bridge over a stream before they made their way down to the water’s edge and paddled in the clear water.
This is what’s missing from our life in London, Carrie reflected. The time and ability to step away from everything and everyone and just hang out with Poppy somewhere beautiful. Somewhere that didn’t have a ridiculous entrance fee andqueues to get in. She just wished she’d brought Poppy to Cornwall sooner.
She sighed happily as she breathed in the clean air and watched her daughter wiggling her toes as she dried them in the sun. This was just lovely.
* * *
They got back to the bookshop later than Carrie had planned because they’d been having such a good time and Carrie hadn’t had the heart to say no to Poppy every time she asked if they could go just a little bit further.
Seren and Layla were closing up and Carrie gave them a hand while Poppy told Tabitha the cat everything she’d been up to.
Once the shop was all shut up for the night, Carrie and Poppy returned to the flat and Carrie ran Poppy a bath. Poppy looked practically feral from her afternoon adventuring. Her hair was tangled and her face smeared with mud. While the bath was running, Carrie texted Michael.What can we bring with us this evening?She didn’t want to turn up empty-handed.
Just yourselves!came the reply almost straight away.
Let me at least bring a few beers, Carrie messaged back.
Now you’re talking.
Carrie laughed and felt butterflies returning to her stomach. Was it being in a different place and out of her usual routine that was making her react this way to Michael?
She hopped in the shower for a freshen up while Poppy got dressed and then Carrie changed into a pretty floral tea dress she didn’t even know why she’d decided to pack.
“We need to pop to the supermarket to get some drinks for the barbeque, Pumpkin. Are you nearly ready?”
“Yep!” said Poppy, happily. “I’m ready!”
They walked down to the Co-op together and bought some beers and some juice for anyone who wasn’t drinking. Poppy also insisted on buying treats for Monty and Tabitha, though Carrie made sure Poppy understood that she’d need to check with either Michael or Layla before giving the animals any.
Carrie felt a bundle of nerves as they walked through the shop’s garden, thinking that she really must wipe the furniture down out there, out the back gate and round into the garden next door.
They could hear people talking and music playing before they entered the garden, which was a similar size to the bookshop’s but significantly messier. Michael spotted them as soon as they came in. His eyes lit up and he walked over to welcome them along with Monty who acted like he hadn’t seen Poppy for years. The little girl was immediately down on the floor giving him tummy rubs.
