“I have a feeling that Auntie Mary is rather fond of you and Layla,” Carrie responded.
“Well, that’s quite natural.” Michael shrugged, making Carrie smile.
They went inside to discover that Carrie’s mum had been cooking up a storm and there was a huge lasagne in the oven.
Seren and Lucy were also there, each with a glass of prosecco in hand. And Michael’s friend Dylan was chopping up vegetables for a salad.
“This is quite the party,” said Carrie. It was so sweet that everyone was taking time out of their day to come and have a farewell dinner with them.
“We couldn’t let you leave without a proper goodbye,” said Lucy.
Auntie Mary came over to hug Carrie and whispered, “I invited Dylan because he’s so handsome. He’s just nice to have around. Plus, it amuses me to watch him and Lucy pretend they don’t like each other.”
Carrie managed to stifle a giggle and accepted a drink from Dylan.
Michael and Dylan stuck to soft drinks as the designated drivers.
Everyone was shooed out into the garden where they sat and chatted while Carrie’s mum and aunt finished cooking and then it was a case of squishing around the kitchen table for a delicious, relaxed meal.
Carrie looked around at everyone and realised just how lucky she was. She’d had so much support these last few weeks, and she hoped the friendships she’d made would last even though they would no longer be seeing each other regularly.
“Seren?” Carrie heard Poppy say as her daughter tapped on Seren’s hand to get her attention.
“Yes, Poppy?” Seren said, turning to face the little girl.
“Would you like to have the last of Tabitha’s kittens? Michael and Layla are going to keep Katniss and Auntie Mary is going to have one of the other kittens, but there’s one left. I think you would be a very good kitten mummy because you’re quiet and kind. And the kitten would be good company for you because you live alone.”
“Um, Poppy,” said Carrie. “I think it’s up to Michael and Layla to decide who adopts their kittens, don’t you?”
“I think Poppy’s right,” said Michael. “I think Seren would make an excellent cat mum.”
“Me too,” said Layla.
“Um, that’s really lovely,” said Seren. “But can I think about it a little bit? I’ve never had a pet before.”
“Neither have I,” said Poppy, “but Michael says I’m a natural with animals. Monty and Tabitha and the kittens all love me.”
“That they do,” said Michael. “Of course, take some time and think about it, Seren. But the kitten is yours if you’d like it.”
They finished eating and the party divided. Auntie Mary, Ellen, Layla and Poppy went to play cards in the sitting room. Carrie went to start clearing up but was shooed away by Seren, Lucy and Dylan who were already taking care of it.
“Go and relax outside. It’s a lovely evening. Michael will keep you company,” Dylan said, with a wink which made Carrie blush and earned him a scowl and a flick from a tea-towel by Lucy.
“Very subtle, mate,” muttered Michael. “Well, if they’re determined to do all the work, who are we to stop them, eh?” he said, gesturing towards the back door.
They wandered out into the garden together and sat down on a couple of chairs.
“This evening was a very good idea of mine,” said Michael smugly.
“This is absolutely nothing like your original idea!” teased Carrie. “It’s not even the same venue, let alone the same guest list!”
“My idea was the basis for this excellent idea and this way, not only did I not have to cook, but I even got out of the cleaning up and got to sit out here with you.”
They heard a noise from behind them and turned to see Lucy and Dylan having a fight over who got the best view of them out of the kitchen window.
“They’re a nosy bunch, aren’t they?” Michael said. He looked embarrassed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Would you care to take a turn around the garden with me, Miss? Away from prying eyes?”
“I most certainly would, Sir. What a simply splendid idea.”
