“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Just give the club a call to let them know I’ll be picking her up. You go and sort yourself out. I’ll take Poppy to mine. Layla’s got some paints out ready for her. If she’s really tired, I’ll pop her on the sofa with some cartoons.”
“Thank you!”
“Any time,” Michael said, with a smile, taking his keys out of his pocket with his spare hand. “We’ll see you in a bit.”
Carrie took off her shoes and sloshed her way up to the flat. She quickly called the holiday club, then hurried into the bathroom where she stripped off her soaking clothes. She turned the shower on to warm up, catching sight of herself in the mirror. Her hair was crazy but she looked...really happy. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were pink and there would be no wiping the grin from her face.
She showered and changed into jeans and a three-quarter length sleeve top with a scooped neck. It was just past six by the time she was knocking on Michael’s front door. When he openedit, he was clearly just as fresh from the shower. He smelled of citrus — and him. His hair was slicked back and there was a single drop of water on the side of his neck which she couldn’t seem to stop staring at.
“How much trouble am I in?” Michael asked as he closed the door behind them.
Monty came running to greet her, rolling on his back by her feet.
“Oh, lots,” she said. “How’s Poppy?” She bent down and gave Monty a tummy rub.
“Exhausted,” he said as they walked into the kitchen; half the table was covered in painting supplies. “She’s upstairs watchingThe Polar Express, somewhat bizarrely in August. She’s had a glass of water and a banana.”
“Thanks. I’ll go and check on her. Where’s Layla?”
“She popped out to the supermarket to get the smoothie she wanted in for Poppy.”
“That was sweet of her. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Carrie was accompanied by Monty up to the sitting room where Poppy was now asleep under a blanket in the corner of one of the sofas. Bless her, her busy day had caught up with her. Hot chocolates were being served on the Polar Express. Monty got settled into his basket, clearly agreeing that a nap would be a very good idea. Carrie turned off the television and went back down to the kitchen.
“She’s out for the count,” she said to Michael, who was peeling the potatoes for dinner.
“I suspected she wouldn’t last long. What time does book club start?”
“In forty-five minutes. I should go and get set up and I’ve got some quiches to warm through.”
“This oven’s on. Pop them in here. Would you like a cold drink?”
“That would be great. I think all the sea water I swallowed has made me extra thirsty.” Carrie pointedly glared at him but it ended on a giggle.
“Diet coke?”
“Thanks.”
“What do you want to do for food this evening?”
“I’ll just pick at all the bits at book club.”
“You need something proper before you go.” Michael went over to the fridge. He passed Carrie her drink and then began pulling various food items out.
“I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to do something for my aunt and the bookshop, to bring in some more local business, especially during the winter months when Seren says most custom comes from online orders. I guess to leave my mark on the place a little...An event or something...But I don’t know what and I’m running out of time.”
“Sounds like you’ve got the perfect group to advise you coming this evening. I’d see what they have to say,” suggested Michael. “They love books and know the shop well.”
“Good idea,” Carrie said. “Thanks.”
“Hiya,” said Layla as she came into the kitchen.
“Did you find the one you wanted?” Michael asked from inside the fridge.
“Yep.” Layla pulled a bottle of smoothie out of her rucksack. “I’ll put the change in the drawer.”
