“What’s this?” Carrie said. “It feels like a book . . .” She carefully unwrapped it. “How did you find this?” she whispered in surprise as she turned over a copy ofLittle Women, the blue hardback edition she’d described to him as having had when she was little.
“It’s sort of what I do.” He laughed. “It’s the right one?” he confirmed.
“Yes,” Carrie said in awe, flicking through the book, entranced. She felt emotional as she pulled herself away from the pages to look up at Michael. “I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered. “It’s so thoughtful.”
Michael gave a little shrug, his eyes not quite meeting hers. “Your tale was so tragic, I had to do something about it.”
“I love it,” she said.
“How are you doing after yesterday?” he asked gently.
“Good,” said Carrie. “Thank you again. It seems it was bizarrely therapeutic and definitely helped me to let go of some stuff.”
“Anytime,” said Michael. “I’m just glad it helped.”
They stood staring at each other, neither of them seeming able to break away, until Michael finally gave his head a little shake and said, “Anyway, I mainly came by to see if everything was set for Poppy’s birthday tomorrow.”
“I think so. Seren’s going to run the shop for me and Poppy’s so excited. I really hope she likes her new bike. Thank you again for keeping it at your place for me.”
“Layla’s going to be making the extremely chocolatey cake this evening.”
“It’s so kind of her. Poppy will love it.”
“We’ll head off at about two tomorrow?”
“Sounds perfect,” said Carrie.
“OK, Layla and I will meet you by my car?”
“Great, see you then.”
* * *
Carrie closed up the shop and walked down the hill to pick up Poppy who was delighted they were going round to see Auntie Mary. They took the car to the supermarket and picked up steak pies, chips and peas, which Carrie knew was one of Auntie Mary’s favourite meals as well as something that Poppy would happily eat.
They drove the few minutes to Auntie Mary’s where she had the door open before Carrie had even turned off her car’s engine.
Carrie got the food in the oven and they spent the evening chatting and playing Rummy, which Poppy picked up really quickly. It turned out she was a natural card shark. Seeing Poppy with her great aunt made Carrie miss her mum even more than she already was, with it being Poppy’s birthday the next day. She and Poppy would speak with her tomorrow. She suspected her mum would be wanting to check in on her again.
The conversation moved on to Poppy’s birthday plans and there was no missing the look of glee on Auntie Mary’s face when she learned how much of her great niece’s birthday would be spent with Michael.
“It sounds like you’re going to have a super day,” Auntie Mary said. “Do you think you could squeeze in breakfast with me at The First Sip?”
“I think that sounds like a lovely idea,” said Carrie.
“Yes, please!” said Poppy, excitedly. “This is going to be the best birthday ever.”
Chapter 20
There was already a message on her phone from Michael wishing Poppy a happy birthday when Carrie was woken up by the birthday girl at a surprisingly civilised hour. Carrie thanked the sea air for helping Poppy sleep so well.
Carrie had a cup of tea while Poppy opened her cards and presents, including a parcel from her friend Sophie containing a new plushie toy. She knew presents from Granny would be coming when they saw her and loved the bicycle Carrie had chosen her, one to replace her one in London which she’d outgrown. “It’s got a basket and everything! Where did you hide it?” Poppy looked around like she expected to find the perfect bicycle hiding spot somewhere in the sitting room.
“Michael helped me,” admitted Carrie. “He’s been keeping it in his garden shed since it arrived a few days ago. Then he snuck it in after you’d gone to sleep last night.”
“Thank you, Mummy. It’s brilliant.” Poppy gave her mum a big hug. “Can I ride it today?”
“Of course you can but you’ll have to wait until after your birthday breakfast. We’re meeting Auntie Mary in the coffee shop in half an hour.”
