Page 33 of Chasing Dreams at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home

‘I’m pretty sure. The facts don’t lie, do they? He hasn’t loved me for years. Maybe he never did. Maybe I was just convenient. Right time, right place. Or wrong time, wrong place in this instance.’

‘Oh, lovely. He did love you.’

Poppy shrugged. ‘I know. I know he did, but it’s just difficult finding out about this woman from work. I just don’t know what to think.’

‘That’s understandable.’

‘Is it? It wasn’t as though our relationship was any good for either of us. For the last couple of years, we’d been living more as friends really. And then, over the last few months after we separated – strangers.’

‘Poppy, lovely. You need to give yourself time to grieve. I remember when my Arthur went…’ Flora shook her head. ‘It took me an awfully long time to get used to the idea of him not being around, not always being there for me, not to have him to turn to.’

Poppy shook her head. ‘No, Uncle Arthur passed away. You had a right to grieve. I don’t.’

‘Oh, you do. More than you realise. When Arthur went, it was so so difficult. I missed him, but as well as mourning for him, I mourned the future we had planned together. Running this place, starting a family.’

Poppy turned to her aunt. ‘I didn’t know you wanted children.’

Flora nodded sadly. ‘I did, which was why I treasured those summers when you visited all the more.’

How had Poppy never known that? Her mum, Flora’s sister, had never mentioned anything.

‘But what I’m trying to explain is that it isn’t just Ben you’re missing.’ Flora laid her hand over Poppy’s. ‘And I don’t mean the Ben you know now, I mean the Ben from when you first started dating, when your relationship first began to get serious. It’s not just him, it’s everything life promised you as well.’

‘I know.’ Poppy sniffed and wiped her nose. ‘I thought I’d have kids, too. I was so determined to create the happy home environment that I didn’t have.’

‘You’re young still. You’ll find someone else. You’ll have your perfect little family.’

‘I don’t know if I want anyone else. I don’t think I can go through all this again.’ She shrugged. ‘I probably don’t deserve it, anyway.’

Flora shook her head. ‘Of course you do, lovely. You deserve the world. And you’ll fall in love again.’

‘How can you be sure? You didn’t, did you?’ Poppy glanced at her aunt. She’d never asked her why she hadn’t remarried before.

Sighing, Flora pulled another handkerchief from her sleeve and patted her eyes. ‘No, I didn’t. I threw all of my energy into this place, into doing my best for the dogs that have come and gone. I lived to see the dogs in my care find their forever family and live their best lives. I sometimes wish I’d found someone, though, had another relationship, another chance at the life I once thought I’d have. I know that’s what Arthur would have wanted.’ Flora smiled, a short quick smile and patted Poppy’s hand. ‘You, though, you’re going to fall in love again. I can feel it in my bones.’

Slumping back in her chair, Poppy sighed. Even if she didn’t, life would be better than if she’d stayed with Ben. She knew that. Even through the grief of the separation, she knew the decision had been for the best. Not that Ben wasn’t a decent person, just that they hadn’t been right for each other. Not right at all.

‘Come here, lovely.’ Twisting in her seat, Flora held her arms out, signalling for Poppy to lean into her embrace.

‘Thank you.’ She rested her head on Flora’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around her.

‘What for, lovely?’

‘Everything. For always being there when I was growing up, for giving me an escape each summer, for taking me in now, even though I’ve not visited for years. Thank you.’

Flora leaned back lightly, holding her at arm’s length and smiled. ‘You don’t ever need to thank me, Poppy. I’m your aunt, that’s what I’m here for.’

‘Hey… Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’ Alex began to back out of the door.

‘Don’t be daft, Alex. Come on in. I’m about to put the kettle on.’

‘Huh, that was great timing then.’ Alex picked up the biscuit tin from the work surface, opened it and offered it to Poppy and Flora.

‘No thanks.’ Poppy shook her head and slipped the handkerchief into her pocket.

Shrugging, Alex took a biscuit and leaned back against the work surface. ‘Sally said Fluffles walked on the lead without holding it in her mouth for the first time today.’

‘Ooh, I knew Fluffles had it in her,’ Flora said as she clicked the kettle on.

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