Page 27 of The House Swap

‘I’m okay. It helps being busy. I’ve been seeing a few friends, trying not to just sit around waiting for news.’

‘How are you finding my flat? Have you got everything you need?’ She hesitated. ‘I know it’s smaller than what you’re used to.’

‘Pops.’ Tom’s tone was warm and slightly reproving. ‘It’s perfect for what I need. It’s cosy and convenient, and your neighbours are very friendly. The woman downstairs gave me a piece of cake yesterday.’

Poppy blinked. ‘Mrs Okafor gave you cake?’

‘She did. We had a nice chat.’

Well, that was a turn-up for the books. Tom managing to charm her cantankerous neighbour. She had complained to him before that the woman was a bit of an ogre. Now he was going to think she was making it up.

‘I’m glad everything’s okay,’ she told him, smiling, despite herself.

‘It is, so stop worrying about me and focus on enjoying yourself,’ Tom said firmly. ‘Are you managing to relax?’

‘I’m trying to. It’s peaceful here, even with Keira for company. Almost weirdly so. I feel like my life is on pause.’

‘Good weird or bad weird?’ he asked.

‘Good,’ she decided. ‘I needed this even more than I realised.’

‘I’m glad you’re there, Pops. I really am. You sounded exhausted before you left.’

‘I was. I just wish you were here too.’

She hadn’t meant to say the last words out loud, and her face heated. It was insensitive of her, given everything Tom was currently through.

‘Me too,’ he agreed, his tone sombre. ‘But we’ll get there, Pops.’

Her chest tightened. ‘I know.’

They spoke for a little longer. Tom mentioned he was meeting some friends for lunch and Poppy told him she had eaten at Manoli’s.

‘Do you know it?’ she asked.

‘I do. Did you walk back alone?’ He sounded concerned.

‘I had Keira with me,’ she reminded him.

‘Good. Crete is safe enough, but it’s remote out there at night.’ He paused. ‘Look after each other, okay?’

‘We will,’ Poppy promised.

The conversation stayed with her long after they said goodbye and she found it difficult to focus on work again.

‘You’re quiet,’ Keira commented as they wandered out that afternoon.

The air had cooled slightly, and a breeze lifted strands of Poppy’s hair as they followed the road towards Manoli’s, with the plan to see what lay further afield. The area they had seen so far only seemed to encompass a small part of Kato Gouves, and after looking on Google Maps, it seemed there was more to the town. It was quite a trek. The villa was further away than they had both realised.

‘I’m fine,’ Poppy said, unsure if she wanted to talk about her earlier conversation with Tom. She honestly had no idea what the future held for the two of them. Would they ever really be able to make things work?

‘Are you worried about me going home?’

‘No, of course not. I always knew you could only stay for a few days.’

They had already discussed this late last night. Keira had been able to get the week off work, and had initially planned to fly home on Saturday, but Poppy knew Greg was being a pain, and that he had been messaging her friend, unable to cope without Keira there. As a result, Keira was now going to leave on Thursday.

Poppy didn’t mind staying in Crete alone and she was grateful her friend had flown out with her in the first place. Again, though, she did wonder why her smart and capable best friend chose to be with such a baby of a man.