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Poppy shook her head. ‘He’s successful. He has his own surgery, for goodness’ sake. He’s…’
Lovely, that’s what she wanted to say. Sweet, caring, strong, dependable, kind, the whole package.
‘Someone like him would never look at someone like me. I don’t blame him for realising it was a mistake.’
‘He’s only just taken over the surgery. And he has a history too. And I’m guessing that’s the reason he pulled away, not because of you or your past but because of his.’
‘Umm.’ Poppy didn’t know what to say. Ginny was just trying to make her feel better. And it was nice of her, but…
‘I’m telling you the truth. I’m not just saying that.’ Ginny turned on the sofa to face her. ‘I’ve known Mack a few years now, and he’s not had an easy time with relationships.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He was in quite a serious relationship when I moved down here. I don’t think they were living together, but they spent a lot of time together and his brothers got close to her, viewed her as part of the family, I guess. I mean, I moved down just over four years ago and so the little one, Spencer, would have been about five, right?’
‘I think so. He’s nine now.’
‘Yes, that’s right. And I know Mack and this woman had been together a couple of years by then, or at least I think they had, so he would have been really young when they got together.’ Ginny took a sip of her drink.
‘What’s that got to do with me, though?’ Still twisting the tassels around her fingers, Poppy looked across at Ginny.
‘Because he’s got to take the kids’ feelings into account too. Mack and his ex splitting up would have had a huge impact on Spencer and Gus. Spencer would have likely only remembered life with her around.’ Ginny reached out and touched Poppy’s arm. ‘So, you see, he’s not just got himself to think about, he’s got them to think about, too. And since they broke up, he’s probably built his walls super high.’
‘That makes sense.’
It did. It still hurt, but at least finding out why he’d reacted the way he had didn’t make her feel quite so bad about herself. And she couldn’t blame him for being protective of his brothers. She’d probably do exactly the same in his position.
‘Give it time, though. If it’s meant to be, then you’ll get together.’ Ginny smiled.
Poppy raised her eyebrow. ‘I’m not sure if I believe in the whole destined to be together thing.’
‘Ah, but if it’s true, then you have nothing to worry about.’ Ginny shrugged. ‘Sorry, I don’t mean to be flippant, I just mean that all you can do is to carry on getting to know him and see what develops between the two of you.’
‘If anything does develop.’ Poppy slumped back against the sofa cushions, shaking her fingers free of the tassels. ‘It’s probably for the best, anyway. I’ll be back home soon enough, so there’s no point in even trying to think about anything happening between us.’
‘When do you head back?’
‘I don’t know. Aunt Flora suggested I get some supply work around here when the new term starts and stay with her until I get the equity through from selling the house. Then I could buy somewhere back home.’ She shrugged. ‘I can’t afford to go back and rent even if I get five days’ worth of supply each week, not until the sale is finalised and I no longer have to pay some towards the mortgage..’
‘So, you’re going to stay and move back once you can buy somewhere?’
‘Yes, I think so.’ Poppy nodded. Flora had only suggested the option to her earlier when she’d told her about Ben’s phone call and the offer. Until now, she hadn’t really had the time to process it, not between walking the dogs, clearing out the kennels and placing a food order, but it made sense. Perfect sense.
23
‘Are you sure you’re okay taking Fluffles for her booster?’ With the door ajar and her coat in hand, Ginny looked back at Poppy, who was sitting behind the reception counter.
‘Yep. That’s fine. You two go.’ Poppy waved Ginny and Flora off, watching them jump into the Wagging Tails’ van.
It wasn’t fine. Going to the vet’s so soon after her and Mack’s kiss was never going to be her idea of fine, but with Alex off for the day, Susan on a home visit and Sally down at West Par training Oscar to walk on the lead properly, she couldn’t very well have refused. Not when Mr Thomas had agreed for Flora and Ginny to come and collect a few of his dogs.
No, she was a grown woman. She could face Mack. Shewouldface Mack.
She tapped her fingers against the wooden top of the counter. Should she mention anything or just go in there and act as though the kiss had never happened?
Pretending nothing had happened was probably the easiest thing to do. Although should she let him know that she knew about his predicament? That she understood why he’d pushed her away? It might be a good idea to clear the air. At least that way there might be a chance they could continue to be friends.
She shrugged. She’d figure it out when she got there. That was all she could do, really. See if he mentioned it or not. If he did, then she’d tell him she knew what had happened with his ex and that she got it. If he didn’t, then she’d keep up the façade.
