“And you’re going to accept it?” confirmed Carrie.
“Yes. The pay is good and it’s fun. Plus the travel... I’m back here now basically to sort out my stuff.”
“Have you told Poppy?”
“No. I’ll visit, obviously.”
“Right.” The Carrie of even just a month ago would have been devastated. Would have desperately tried to convince Tony that he couldn’t do this. That Poppy needed him. But she couldn’t force Tony to be the sort of father that Michael was. If he didn’t want to step up, it was him who was missing out. Poppy was a wonderful little girl and he was an idiot. And the fact that he hadn’t mentioned this job earlier when she’d told him about her moving to Cornwall put the final nail in the coffin of their relationship.
“I appreciate it’s not ideal...” he said. He was clearly expecting more of a reaction from Carrie.
“Let me know whenever you’re back and want to see Poppy, and we’ll sort something out. Was that everything?” Carried asked.
“Um... yeah,” said Tony. He seemed to be debating whether her lack of emotion was a good thing or not.
“OK, I’ll give Poppy a call so she can say goodbye. Oh, and Tony? I’ll be speaking to a solicitor about you paying properchild support now that you’ll be earning a regular wage. Poppy’s strawberry and blueberry addiction isn’t cheap.”
Carrie looked away while Tony and Poppy said their goodbyes. Despite her resolve, her eyes felt hot. She’d spent more than seven years doing everything she could to prevent this exact situation.
“Bye then, Carrie,” said Tony, turning back to look at her as he walked through the front door.
“See you soon. Look after yourself,” said Carrie.
She closed the door and took a deep breath, forcing a smile on to her face. “OK, Pumpkin. Let’s get in the car. We have a party to get to!”
Chapter 24
They pulled into the car park behind the bookshop just after 6 p.m. Poppy had been completely amazing during the trip, listening to audiobooks and chatting away, which definitely helped to calm Carrie’s nerves. She had no idea how Michael would react to her being there. Presumably he was still mad with her and she couldn’t really blame him. He’d been trying to help her, as had her mum and her aunt, and she’d been an idiot not to listen. Of course they’d all been trying to interfere in her life: they cared about her.
Carrie had brought up about Tony needing to be away for work again during the drive and, thankfully, Poppy seemed to take it in her stride. Carrie didn’t say how long he was contracted for, thinking that two years must feel impossibly long to a just seven-year-old, but explained that she’d be able to see him whenever he was in the country and they’d video call lots. Ironically, the fact that Poppy had always had such sporadic visits from her father would probably make the time Tony was away easier for her.
She would have liked to have gone inside the flat above the bookshop to collect herself a bit and get changed, but they were already a little late and she was so nervous, she really didn’t think she could wait any longer.
“Let’s leave the stuff in the car for now. We can bring it in later. We need to wish Layla a happy birthday.”
The gate to Michael’s garden was unlocked so they went in and were almost immediately greeted by Monty who came running over like he hadn’t seen them in years. Carrie picked him up and gave him a scratch behind the ears while Poppy stroked his back and told him how much she’d missed him.
The garden was decorated with fairy lights and the party was in full swing. There were plenty of teen girls around, gigglingtogether mainly, but also some younger kids and adults as well. Carrie loved the way that Layla seemed to have invited everyone she liked to her party. Seren and Lucy were talking together and waved when they spotted Carrie and Poppy. Carrie’s motherly instinct was glad that shy Seren had someone to chat with. There was no sign of Michael and Layla outside but Carrie and Poppy were spotted by Carrie’s mum and aunt who came hurrying over with matching huge grins on their faces.
“What are you doing here?” they said, wrapping Carrie and Poppy in huge hugs.
“We’ve come back!” said Poppy.
“If the offer of the job and the flat is still on the table, I’d very much like to accept,” Carrie said to her aunt.
“Of course it is!” said Aunt Mary. “What a wonderful surprise!”
“Thank goodness for that.” Carrie laughed. “It would have been a tiny bit awkward if I’d had to drive back to London again tonight.”
“I’m thrilled,” Aunt Mary said. “You’re saving me the trouble of having to hold interviews and I trust you completely with the shop. Plus, it will be wonderful to have you both here. But what made you change your mind?”
“I guess we just realised where we wanted to be, eh, Poppy?”
Poppy nodded.
“So you’re moving here?” checked Ellen.
“Yes,” confirmed Carrie. “You were both right. I want to be here and to work in the bookshop, especially if you decide to move here too, Mum.” She’d fill them both in properly about what had happened with Tony when Poppy wasn’t around.
