Carrie had found herself apologising for her father’s behaviour at one point as if she was somehow responsible for him, which made them both laugh.
Carrie closed her eyes and allowed her emotions to wash over her. Phil chose to miss out on being a father to her and, in turn, on being a grandfather to Poppy. Knowing that he’d abandoned other people as well served to hammer home that he wasn’t someone she wanted in her life. Or Poppy’s.
Suddenly she felt the overwhelming desire to be back in Castle Cove. Cosy in the flat with Poppy...and Michael and Laylaa little voice in her head said. She pushed it aside as she started the engine and set off to where she couldn’t help thinking of as home.
* * *
It was seven o’clock by the time Carrie pulled into the parking space behind her aunt’s shop. She was exhausted and happy to be back.
Poppy and Monty came running out into Michael’s garden to meet her as she went through the back gate. Carrie immediately bent down and gave Poppy a big hug and stroked Monty.
“Did you all have a good day?” she asked.
“The best,” said Poppy, happily. “We went to four different beaches and we looked in rock pools and found crabs and I had a cup of tea.”
Michael appeared at the back door. “I took a flask and she had some — it was decaf,” he explained.
Carrie smiled and nodded. “I’m sorry I’m back so late.” She held Poppy’s hand as she walked towards the house.
“It’s no problem,” Michael said, easily. “Poppy and I had a great time. You must be tired though. Come in, dinner’s nearly ready.”
Carrie considered making her excuses and not taking up any more of Michael’s time — for all of about two seconds. Whatever he was cooking smelled wonderful. And in his kitchen was where she wanted to be.
Poppy went back outside to resume training Monty to do yet another trick the poor boy would struggle to master.
“How are you doing?” Michael asked.
Carrie sat down at the kitchen table. “I’m... good. It’s weird. I’d set out this morning wanting to speak with my father, and I didn’t, but somehow that doesn’t matter any more.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Well, I got to the address my mum gave me and ended up having a cup of tea with the woman who lived there, Linda. She wasn’t the woman my father left my mother and me for. It seems she was the woman after that, and he left her too. It appears to be something of a habit of his. Along with stealing and cheating on his partners.”
“He doesn’t sound like the nicest of people,” Michael commented. “I still can’t comprehend how anyone could desert their family.”
Carrie shrugged. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand it, nor want to have anything to do with someone like that.”
* * *
A few minutes later, Carrie had a glass of wine in front of her on the kitchen table, Poppy on her lap showing her the drawings she’d been doing with Monty’s help apparently and a huge, homemade macaroni cheese was coming out of the oven.
“I thought you could probably do with some comfort food after the day you’ve had,” Michael explained.
“Yeah, you’re right there. That looks amazing. You didn’t have to feed us though...”
The look Michael threw her made her chuckle.
Poppy moved to her own seat and Michael put a large plate of food in front of Carrie. He put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a little squeeze.
They ate and then Poppy ran outside to play with Monty while Carrie and Michael collected the little girl’s stuff together.
They moved upstairs to the sitting room on the search for items Poppy had littered everywhere. Michael handed Carrie a sparkly hair clip from the floor. “You’re really OK after today?” he asked gently.
“Yeah, I think so. A little emotionally drained, I guess,” Carrie replied.
Michael opened up his arms and she sank into them. Grateful for a moment to switch off her mind and take a deep breath. It took all her willpower to step away a moment later.
“Thanks,” she said. “I needed that.”
