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‘That’s awful of him.’
Mack nodded slowly and shrugged. ‘Anyway, that’s why I’m a bit out of sorts today. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it all.’
‘I bet.’ Without thinking, she reached across and hugged him, then pulled away immediately. ‘Sorry.’
‘Hey, don’t apologise. Hugging is supposed to be the best healer, isn’t it?’ He chuckled sadly.
‘Oh, Mack. I don’t even know what to say. And there was me feeling all sorry for myself and you’re going through this.’ She rolled her eyes at herself.
‘Tell me.’
‘No, it’s daft compared to…’ She waved her hand towards him.
‘It’s not daft. Not if it’s upset you. Besides, it would be nice to think about someone else’s problems for a while.’
‘Oh, thanks. Now it all comes out!’ Poppy laughed. ‘The real reason you’re here – so you can make yourself feel better by listening to me talk about my sad old life.’
Mack raised his eyebrow. ‘Well…’
‘Oi!’ Poppy looked at him in mock shock before smiling. ‘Nah, it’s not much really. I found out yesterday that my ex is in a new relationship. I mean, he’d told me he was going on a date two weeks ago but now apparently he’s in a fully-fledged relationship with her. After two weeks!’
‘I’m sorry. That sucks.’ Mack sighed.
‘Yes and no. I think it was more the shock of hearing it, to be honest. We decided our relationship was over months ago. If I’m honest, we’d both known it was inevitable long before that – a good couple of years at least – but because I didn’t actually move out until the beginning of the month and he wasn’t with anyone then…’ She shrugged. ‘It was just a bit of a surprise, that’s all. I’m pleased for him. He’s not a bad guy, we just weren’t great together.’
‘Still, I can understand why that came as a shock. Life’s unpredictable, isn’t it?’
‘Yep. When I was growing up, I’d always thought I’d have my life sorted by now. And, if I’m honest, even up until a few years ago. You know, two point four kids, husband, house, probably a dog or two. That sort of stuff.’ She grimaced.
‘Ha ha, yes. I hear you. Same here.’ Mack shook his head before chuckling. ‘Isn’t adulting supposed to be the easy part, where we get to make our own decisions and choose how our life pans out?’
As they reached the water's edge, Poppy paused and looked out across the cove towards the great expanse of ocean. ‘I think we may have been lied to.’
‘Yes. I think you may be right.’ Mack chuckled. ‘Still, I guess we’re where we’re supposed to be, and we just need to figure it out and get through it.’
Poppy nodded. ‘Maybe. I quite like that actually – where we’re supposed to be. Although whether that works for us two, you with your dad trying to walk back into your and your brothers’ lives and me having run away to my aunt’s house, with no house, no partner, not even a car.’ She shrugged.
‘The only way is up, hey?’
Poppy laughed. ‘You are absolutely right. Well, here’s to finding the right way up.’
Holding out her hand, she cheered an imaginary glass to the sky.
‘Absolutely. To finding the right way up.’ Holding his hand up, he copied her before checking his watch. ‘Oops, I’d better get back. Lunchtime will be over soon.’
‘Lunchtime? I thought you’d popped by for a home visit to check on Dougal?’
Mack shrugged. ‘It was a home visit – just during my lunch break.’
‘Oh no, I feel bad now, dragging you out on a walk. Now you’ve not had a proper rest or anything, let alone any actual lunch.’ Turning, she began to walk back across the sand towards the lane.
‘Don’t feel bad on my account. This was exactly what I needed, sea air and a chat.’ Falling into step with Poppy, he touched her arm, a brief, quick touch. ‘Thank you for letting me offload to you. Just so you know, though, I hadn’t planned on telling you all that. I don’t want you to think the only reason I came was to burden you with my problems.’
She smiled. ‘And thank you for listening to mine, too.’
‘What are we both like?’ He smiled, his eyes meeting hers.
‘I don’t know.’ Feeling tension on the lead, Poppy looked down and nodded. ‘I’m not sure about this one either. I think he’s decided he doesn’t want to walk any further.’ Bending down, she fussed Dougal who had flopped onto the floor, his head on his paws. ‘Are you all tired out? Do you want me to carry you back?’
