The nods and yeses in response told Carrie that she was on to a very good idea, thanks to Lucy.
“I’ll need to hold it soon though if I’m going to do it before my aunt comes back...”
“That’s all right,” said Nat. “We can pass the word around. I can tell everyone at the kids’ club.”
“And you’re welcome to put a poster up in the coffee shop,” Lucy said.
“I think Friday would be the best evening for me... But it really doesn’t give much time...” Carrie said.
“We can work with that,” Lucy declared. “Just let us know how we can help.”
* * *
The book conversation that followed was fun and lively, and everyone was so friendly, but Carrie found she was listening out for what was going on next door. It sounded like they were eating in the kitchen with the French doors open. Carrie couldn’t really make out anything that was being said, especially over the chatter and laughter of the group she was with, but she did hear happy giggles from Poppy being responded to by Michael’s deep, soothing voice. She found she actually wished she was next door having dinner with them, even though she’d probably spent years thinking how great it would be to join a book club exactly like this one.
During a break in discussion to allow for refilling of drinks, Lucy came over to Carrie. If Lucy’s body language didn’t provide a clue as to what this was about as she leaned in close ready for a heart-to-heart, the knowing look on her face did. “So, areyou going to tell me what on earth you and Michael were doing earlier? You were both soaking.”
“We were just messing around at the beach. We ended up going in deeper than we’d planned.”
That was actually a bizarrely accurate assessment of her relationship with Michael.
“Well, you looked like you were having a great time.”
“We were,” Carrie found herself saying.
“You’re very sweet together, you know. And he’s lovely with Poppy.”
“Oh, we’re not...together,” said Carrie. “We’re just friends.”
“Whatever you say.” Lucy smiled. “But I’d love for a guy to look at me the way he looks at you.”
Did he? Carrie’s eyes shot up to Lucy’s — just as Nat, who seemed to be the unofficial leader of the group, addressed the room.
“OK, shall we get back to the book now?”
Lucy grinned at Carrie and nodded further confirmation of her words before returning to her seat — leaving Carrie feeling more confused than ever.
* * *
The meeting finished at nine, but most people stayed on and helped to tidy and wash-up. It was quarter past before all farewells had been said and Carrie could head next door to pick up Poppy — who thought it wonderful that she’d been allowed to stay up so late.
“I think dinner gave her a second wind,” said Michael as Poppy showed her mum all the painting she’d been doing, explained how Monty had been able to do the trick they’d been working on just half an hour ago, and had brought all the kittens to show her individually.
Carrie stroked Poppy’s hair. “Pumpkin, it’s really late now. We need to get you to bed.”
“OK, Mummy. Thank you, Michael. I’ve had lots of fun.” Poppy went over and gave Michael a hug.
“Thank you for coming to hang out with us.” Michael hugged the little girl back, making Carrie’s heart constrict at how sweet they were together. “Layla’s just video calling with her mum again otherwise I’d call her down to say goodbye.”
“Don’t worry,” Carrie said. “We’ll see her tomorrow.”
Carrie got Poppy into bed super quickly, grateful that Michael had already read to her at his place, and soon found herself curled up on the sofa with her camomile tea and book. A book she swiftly put aside when she realised that what her mind actually needed to do was take some time to go over all that had happened that day.
Carrie was having so much fun spending time with Michael and Layla. Yes, she was attracted to him, and there was the occasional flirty moment, but they were friends. Single parents helping each other out. And Georgia was single again now... Was there a chance Michael and Georgia would get back together? Actually, Carrie didn’t think so. Michael had been adamant that he and his ex-wife were better off apart. But what did it matter anyway? Working here in the bookshop was temporary. Auntie Mary was back next week and then Carrie would be out of her bookshop job. Carrie and Poppy would be going back to London. To real life. London and Tony. Who knew, maybe being so far away from his daughter for over a month might have finally made him realise what he was missing by not being a bigger part of their lives.
By not being more like Michael, Carrie found herself thinking. And did he really look at her in the way Lucy implied?
Chapter 15
