* * *
The shop closed at five and Michael needed to pick up Layla soon afterwards so they planned to move Tabitha over to hishouse and then Carrie and Poppy would stay there with her until he returned with Layla.
The whole procedure took a few trips, with Tabitha and the kittens being moved first. Michael carried them in the basket as steadily as he could, while Poppy and Carrie stood on either side in case Tabitha got upset and attempted to jump out. Thankfully the cat seemed to accept what was happening.
Michael put the basket of cats in his utility room so he could close the door and Tabitha would have peace from Monty if need be.
“Make yourselves at home,” he said as he left to get Layla. “I won’t be long. Layla’s mum, Georgia, is going to bring her part of the way. Help yourselves to tea, coffee or whatever.”
Poppy went outside with Monty to play. She’d decided she was going to teach him to do all kinds of tricks after watching a dog training video on YouTube.
Carrie put the kettle on to boil and looked around Michael’s kitchen. It felt strange to be in his home without him being there. The shop made up the front part of the building with a door into the kitchen. Off the kitchen was the utility room, which Carrie now thought of as Tabitha’s lair, beyond which was a cloakroom.
The kitchen was a good size, with a large pine table in the middle and French doors leading out to the garden. Another door led to a small hallway which ran down the side of the building, to a front door next to the shop, and contained the staircase going up to the first floor.
Carrie made herself a tea and got Poppy a glass of water. She took a little peep at the cats in the utility room before going to join Poppy and Monty in the garden.
The little girl wasn’t really getting anywhere with the training just yet but was valiantly struggling through. Monty looked pleased to take a break when Poppy stopped to have some of her drink. Carrie watched the dog skulk off to hideunder a bush and decided to let him have a little rest rather than telling Poppy his location straight away.
“I’ll be helping to look after the kittens now as well as helping in the bookshop,” Poppy said.
“I hope you’ll still have time for holiday club,” Carrie said with a smile. Poppy was so sweet when she was serious.
“Me too.” She gave a delicate sigh. Carrie managed to hold back a laugh, she didn’t want to hurt Poppy’s feelings.
“We’re home!” called Michael as he and Layla came through the garden gate. Carrie’s stomach did a bizarre flip at the domesticity of it.
“Hey,” she said. “Did you have a good day, Layla?”
“I did, but I can’t believe I missed Tabitha having kittens. Can I see them now, Dad?”
“Of course, they’re in the utility room. Just try to be quiet.”
Poppy followed Layla into the house to give her the full rundown of the day’s excitement.
“What a day!” said Michael, sitting down in a chair next to Carrie’s.
“Absolutely.” Carrie laughed. “How about I go to the supermarket and grab some pizzas for us all? I fear it’s going to be hard to tear Poppy away from the new arrivals anytime soon.”
“That sounds absolutely brilliant,” said Michael. “If you’re happy for Layla to watch Poppy, Monty and I will come with you. He could do with another little walk.”
“You don’t think Layla will mind? She is a cool teen, you know.”
“She really likes hanging out with Poppy. I think it makes her feel grown up. Like a big sister maybe?”
“I can see that,” Carrie said.
Layla and Poppy came back outside. “Mummy!” said Poppy. “Layla says she’ll paint my nails, but I have to ask you first.”
“That’s fine,” said Carrie. “Do you know what colour you’d like her to paint them?”
“I think something glittery,” said Poppy.
“Good choice,” Carrie said while smiling at both girls. She mouthed thank you to Layla.
“While you girls do that, are you OK with Carrie and I going to the supermarket, Layla?” Michael asked. “We’ll take Monty with us and get some pizzas for tea.”
“No worries,” said Layla. “Can Poppy watch some Disney cartoons?”
