“And we can take my bike out after that?”
“Yep. The path winding round the town’s park will be absolutely perfect for you to practise on as long as there aren’t too many people around for you to crash into.”
Poppy giggled. “I won’t crash into anyone,” she said.
They got dressed and went downstairs, through the bookshop and outside to the café.
“Granny!” squealed Poppy as soon as they stepped through the door. She ran over to where Carrie’s mother, Ellen, was sitting next to Auntie Mary.
“Surprise!” cried Ellen, receiving a huge hug from her granddaughter and giving an equally huge one back in return.
“Mum! What on earth are you doing here?” Carrie came over and managed to get around Poppy enough to give her mum a kiss on the cheek. Ellen caught her daughter’s eye. Carrie could tell she was checking her girl really was all right after Sunday’s road trip, and Carrie gave her a reassuring grin.
“Is this your doing?” she asked Auntie Mary, giving her a kiss to the cheek too.
“A little bit,” Auntie Mary admitted, a twinkle in her eye.
“I wasn’t about to miss Poppy’s birthday, was I? And Mary’s been asking me to come and visit for ages, so everything seemed to line up with her just back. I drove down yesterday evening and am staying at Mary’s.”
“It’s lovely to see you.” Carrie suddenly felt a bit weepy. She’d never gone so long without seeing her mum and, though she’d been having a wonderful time, it was so good to have her here, especially after what had happened on Sunday. She put a smile on her face. “Let’s order some breakfast. I’m starving.”
They spent the next hour and a half eating the most delicious pastries and making a fuss of Poppy who had some beautiful presents from her granny and great aunt, including plenty of books of course.
When they were all finished, Carrie went back up to the flat and collected the new bike and they all walked to the park where her mum and aunt got comfortable on a bench to watch Poppy riding, both with their phones in hand to capture the moment. It was lovely to have them here, to be celebrating Poppy’s birthday with family who adored her.
* * *
At two, Carrie and Poppy met Michael and Layla at their car as arranged. They welcomed the birthday girl with big hugs, promising her presents when she got back.
Poppy hadn’t asked about Tony yet and didn’t seem to be wondering when he’d call or if she’d get a card or a present from him. In previous years, Carrie had writtenLove from Mummy and Daddyon the presents she’d brought Poppy to try to save her daughter from disappointment. She hadn’t this year. She wasn’t really certain why.
Michael was wearing his grey tracksuit bottoms again, which was definitely a little bit distracting, but Carrie did her best to concentrate on climbing. She couldn’t believe how quickly Poppy was improving. Her confidence on the walls was coming along in leaps and bounds.
They stopped off on the way back at the ice cream parlour. Poppy’s eyes widened as she took in all the flavour choices before them. They sat at one of the many tables outside overlooking boats and sea and Poppy pointed out all the dogs that walked by, rating them as to how cute they were compared to Monty. Of course, none of them came anywhere close.
Poppy chose the same ice cream as Layla, naturally, and declared her cookie crunch sundae the best ice cream she’d ever had.
They drove back and went straight into Michael’s house so that Poppy could have her present and then she and Michael would get started making the pizzas. Monty was thrilled to see them and even Tabitha deigned to come and rub herself against the birthday girl’s legs.
Poppy was thrilled with the card Layla had made her and the huge art set she was given. She probably would have happily spent the rest of the day trying it out if it hadn’t been for the pizzas which needed prepping.
Michael and Layla cleared the kitchen table and began getting out the ingredients.
Carrie checked her phone yet again as she had been doing all day. There was still nothing from Tony. She was determined not to send him another reminder of his daughter’s birthday. Honestly, if he couldn’t remember to at least message his daughter at this point, there really wasn’t much she could do about it.
“It must have been a wonderful surprise to see your mum this morning,” Michael was saying, getting drinks for everyone.
“It was. I’ve missed her.”
“Shall we invite your mum and Mary to join us?” he suggested. “There’s going to be plenty of pizza and cake.”
Carrie couldn’t believe how thoughtful this man was. “That would be wonderful! You don’t mind?”
“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I did,” he said, smiling reassuringly.
“Do you think Granny and Auntie Mary would like to join us this evening, Poppy?” Carrie asked.
“Yes!” Poppy cried, jumping up and down with excitement. “Can you call and ask them, Mummy?”
