“Yeah. She was pretty upset, but Ian didn’t believe what Layla was saying about his girls and well...”
“That didn’t exactly give Georgia much of a choice, did it?”
“Exactly. She says she’ll be OK, and she’s so relieved that Layla’s happier now.”
They reached the beach and Monty was let off the lead. They wandered down to the water, watching the dog attack random bits of seaweed before having a bark at the waves.
It was a beautiful evening. The sun was gloriously warm and the beach was emptying for the day. They walked along the shore and then up to where there was a collection of large rocks. Michael sat down on the flattest one and patted beside him. Carrie joined him. Monty ran around the rock a couple of times before he lay down on the sand to catch his breath.
“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” said Carrie, turning to look at Michael who had his face up to the sun.
“It certainly is,” he agreed. “I’m glad I chose my hometown to bring Layla up in.”
“She’s a lucky girl,” said Carrie.
“I hope so. For a long time I felt so guilty after my marriage broke up that she wouldn’t have a ‘proper’ family. I wondered whether Georgia and I should have tried harder. I mean, it wasn’t like we ever hated each other and there wasn’t anyone else involved. We were young and I think we both liked the idea of marriage and kids and thought what we had was enough, but it wasn’t. We weren’t happy.”
“It seems to have worked out from what I’ve seen.”
“Yeah, it has. It’s better for Georgia and me. We make much more sense as friends, and I don’t think Layla would have been happy in a home with parents who ended up resenting each other. But it took me a long time to forgive myself for my part in breaking up Layla’s family and to see that it was for the best in the long run.”
“It’s not easy, is it?” Carrie looked down at her feet.
“Poppy is just about the happiest, most well-adjusted child I’ve ever met,” said Michael. “You’ve done a great job.”
“Thank you.’ She looked up to smile before reverting to the view of her feet. ‘But I do wish I’d been able to give her thetraditional family unit and a proper relationship with her dad. I told you my father left when I was very little and I definitely feel that I missed out on not having him around.”
“But Poppy’s dad sees her,” said Michael. “She has her father in her life. She said he’s in Germany at the moment?”
“He is. He’s working there over the summer. He should be back soon after we are.” Part of Carrie wanted to open up more to Michael about how useless Tony was and how she often felt she had to force him to make the few visits he did to his daughter, but some sense of loyalty prevented her from doing so. He was Poppy’s dad, and she shouldn’t speak badly of him.
“He and Poppy will be really pleased to see each other.”
“Yeah.” Carrie’s smile this time was forced.
Michael shifted closer and put his arm around her, instinctively knowing she needed comfort. She closed her eyes for a moment, his presence soothing her frazzled emotions.
Monty barked up at them, batting Carrie’s foot with his paw.
“I think someone is getting bored,” she said, opening her eyes. “Thank you for...” She gestured to the two of them.
“Any time,” said Michael, giving her a final squeeze before removing his arm. The move left Carrie feeling suddenly bereft.
“Fancy a paddle?” he suggested.
“Not really. The water will probably be freezing.”
“Don’t be such a wimp! Anyway, haven’t you heard of the benefits of ice baths?”
“I think you need to do more than just put your feet in for it to count as an ice bath,” Carrie pointed out.
“All right then,” said Michael, and before Carrie knew what had happened, he’d scooped her up and was running with her into the sea.
“Michael!” she squealed. “What are you doing? Put me down!”
“Sorry, can’t hear you over the waves,” he said, and continued in, though slower now as he was in past his knees.
“Put me down!” Carrie was laughing despite her predicament.
