Page 17 of The House Swap

Don’t stress. It’ll be fine, I’m sure. I’m now leaving the hospital, so I’ll head over there in a bit.

As Keira stepped out onto the terrace it reminded Poppy she still needed to let Tom know her friend had come with her. Something that perhaps warranted a phone call rather than a WhatsApp message.

Are you free for a two-minute chat?

She went back inside and down the hallway to the privacy of her bedroom.

Blue ticks appeared, but there was no response. Then, after a few seconds, Poppy’s phone started ringing. Seeing Tom’s name, she quickly answered.

‘Is everything okay?’ he asked.

The simple familiarity of his voice had her throat tightening. He sounded sad and exhausted.

‘I’m fine. But I need to tell you something and I didn’t want to do it in a message.’

‘That sounds ominous,’ he said, laughing nervously.

‘It’s nothing bad, I promise.’ Poppy took a breath. Suddenly, it felt like she had deceived Tom by not telling him. She reminded herself her decision to wait had been with the best of intentions. ‘So, Keira turned up on my doorstep this morning with her suitcase. She’d booked herself on to my flight without telling me.’

There was a beat of silence. Was Tom angry with her or just processing what she had just said?

Say something, she willed.

‘Keira’s there with you in Crete?’

‘Yes, I’m sorry. I know it’s your home and I should have asked, but she literally showed up and I didn’t have the heart to send her away. And with James and everything, I didn’t want to bother you this morning to ask permission. I know it’s not what we agreed and if you’re not happy…’ She tailed off, conscious she was babbling now.

‘Poppy.’ Tom spoke her name gently. ‘It’s fine. I’m glad you’re not there on your own.’

She released a breath. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course. The villa’s plenty big enough. Besides, with everything going on with James, knowing you have someone with you is one less thing for me to worry about. I wish I had thought of it myself when we spoke last night.’

His words soothed her guilt of the last few hours, and she felt the tension in her shoulders begin to ease as she moved to look out of the window. ‘Thank you for being so understanding.’

‘Stop apologising,’ he said lightly. Then, after a brief pause, he added more quietly, ‘I really wish I was there.’

‘I know.’ Poppy swallowed. ‘I really wish you were here too.’

For a moment, neither of them said anything. On the terrace beyond the glass, Keira was standing by the pool edge with her wine, her face tipped up to the last of the afternoon sun, entirely unaware she was being discussed.

‘Now, are you sure you’re okay and have everything you need?’ Tom asked.

‘It’s beautiful here,’ she told him, meaning it. ‘Even better than when you showed me on video.’

‘Good. I’m glad you’re there, Pops.’

‘How are you holding up?’ she asked, her tone gentle.

He sighed. ‘It’s hard. Sitting in a waiting room not knowing anything is…’ He stopped, and she heard his breath catch. ‘Milly, his fiancée, is in bits. We’re all taking it in turns with her so she’s not alone.’

Poppy knew that Tom’s other friends were at the hospital too.

‘I’m glad you’re all there for each other.’

‘Yeah.’ His voice was tired. ‘Look. I should go. I need to find this flat of yours. You said the key is above the door, right?’

‘Yes, on the ledge,’ she confirmed. ‘And Tom, the second drawer down in the kitchen has takeaway menus in it. Don’t judge me.’