Poppy's Fall

Chapter 5

Dropping off McCarthy’s order at Dunne’s, Ellie insisted that Poppy come inside the pub with her.  Ryan’s reaction to Poppy had surprised Ellie but it wouldn’t derail her plans to get Poppy and Shaun together.  Ryan was cute, sweet and hard working but not Poppy’s type even if he would have treated her like a queen. 

Although there were several people already in the pub it was still a little too early for music.  Poppy cast a quick glance at the small stage anyway where Shaun’s bandmates were setting up.  She wondered where Shaun went when he wasn’t up there wooing unsuspecting women, young and old.

“Are you staying for bit?” Fiona asked Poppy from behind the bar. 

Poppy strolled over and slid up on a stool.  “No, I’m just waiting for Ellie.  We have plans to take over Mrs. C.’s kitchen to make homemade pizza.”

“A girl’s night then” Fiona nodded her understanding while she busied herself with making sure she had everything she would need for the evening. 

"You should join us,” Poppy threw out the invite spontaneously. “It would be fun.”

Fiona smiled, wishing she actually could accept. “I’m afraid I can’t as we’re one person short tonight.”

“Next time then” Poppy shrugged.  She would have liked to have Fiona join them to get to know her better.  But Poppy had to admit she had another reason she would have liked for the bar manager to accompany them.  And that reason had a lot to do with the man who had just sauntered in through the doors.

Shaun Duffy was definitely on Fiona’s mind as made obvious by the fact that Fiona had just stopped everything she was doing to stare.  But before Poppy could say or do anything about it, Ellie was suddenly there.

“Shaun, when are you going to take a night off?” 

Poppy regarded Ellie as she spoke.  Did the woman have no shame?  Was Ellie really that oblivious to Fiona’s feelings?  If Poppy didn’t feel so much like a piece of meat being dangled in front of a hungry animal she would have thought it almost comical at how hard her friend was working at getting her and Shaun together. 

“Have you finally come to your senses then and left Aidan?” Shaun draped an arm over Ellie’s shoulders and sent a knowing smirk to Poppy who rolled her eyes in return.

“On that note, I’m going to wait for you in the truck.” Poppy hopped off the stool and out the door not bothering to wait for Ellie to reply.

The women had been friends for a long time and while arguments had been few and far between, Poppy could sense one brewing.  She was starting to get fed up with Ellie’s blatant attempts to spark an interest between her and Shaun.  And while she knew she would probably have a great time with him, she also knew it wouldn’t last. There was also the fact that Poppy really liked Fiona and would never do that to her. 

Several minutes later, Ellie was opening the driver’s side door of the truck. “What was that about?” she asked as she shoved the keys in the ignition.

“You tell me?” Poppy stared straight ahead.

                                                                                                ***            

It wasn’t any better at the B & B.  Poppy kneaded the pizza dough in silence while Ellie, grating the cheese, chatted on as though they weren’t on the verge of a major blowout. 

Knowing where the mindless chatter was heading, Poppy steered the subject away from the obvious. “So how’s the new book coming along?”

Poppy smiled when Ellie launched into a detailed synopsis of her new book; a romance between two high school sweethearts who manage to find their way back into each others arms.  Poppy’s mind drifted as she let Ellie drone on and on.  It wasn’t that Poppy was not interested in the book.  She loved Ellie’s writing and was her number one fan after all.  She was just still trying to get a handle as to what went wrong with Kyle.  Why couldn’t she just let it go?  Poppy also knew her question would only allow her a brief respite.  It wouldn’t be long before Ellie would come back around to her favorite subject. 

“So, what do you think about Shaun?”

Well that was a lot quicker than she had anticipated.  Poppy carefully placed the pizza dough in a bowl, covering it with a dish cloth, and pushed it aside so it could work its magic.  She remained quiet as she turned to pour herself a glass of red wine.  The heady scent of the ruby liquid wafted up to her nose. When she turned back to face Ellie, she kept the look on her face calm and neutral.

Finally, Poppy felt like she could answer without taking Ellie’s head off. “Seems like a fun guy.” That was all she was going to say.  If Ellie expected more then she would be sorely disappointed.

“That’s it?” Ellie asked incredulously.  “Seems like a fun guy?  You have nothing else to say?”

“What else do you want me to say?” Poppy snapped out.  She hadn’t meant to but her irritability toward Ellie’s agenda was growing rapidly. 

“I just asked you a question,” Ellie stated. “I don’t get why you’re being so defensive.”

“It’s a little hard not to when you’re trying so hard to throw two people together and neither one of them is interested.”

“Not interested?  Did you take a good look at the guy?” Ellie’s voice now had a slight sharpness to it.

“There are more to people than their looks Els.” Poppy countered.  She shifted to lift the cloth and take a peak at the pizza dough.  It was her way of showing Ellie she did not want to have this discussion.  Her heart was still raw by Kyle’s betrayal and she wasn’t ready to admit to anyone, not even to her best friend that she had fallen and all she got in return was a broken hear. 

Ellie wasn’t giving up though.  She just couldn’t fathom why Poppy was so against it.  “Why are you fighting it?” Ellie asked “It’s not like you have anything better to do.”

Now she had done it.  Poppy rounded on Ellie, a dangerous look in her eyes. “Why are you so adamant at getting us together?  And why are you too stupid to see that it should be Shaun and Fiona!  I’ve only been here a few days and it’s so obvious they have the hot’s for each other.”

“Shaun and Fiona?” Ellie looked at though she was considering the idea.  Sure she had seen some looks thrown between the two of them but they had just been innocently flirting hadn’t they?  “Don’t be ridiculous, Shaun’s a flirt and Fiona would never go for a guy like that.”

Poppy opened then shut her mouth with a snap.  If Fiona would never go for a guy like that then why in the world would Ellie think she would?  Did her friend think so little of her?  Did Ellie actually believe that Poppy didn’t have any standards?

Poppy shook her head. “I can’t believe you.”

“What did I say?” Ellie’s face contorted in genuine confusion. “You’re not making any sense.  He’s available; you’re obviously available it’s perfect.”

“NO” Poppy finally had had enough.  She would not be pushed into something she didn’t want and she certainly didn’t want this.  “I’m not ready to put myself out there again when only last week I thought there was actually someone for me already.  I gave Kyle my heart only to have it thrown back in my face.  Why do you think I suddenly just had to come to Ireland?  Has it even occurred to you that I, too, may be running away?  Not everyone needs to fall in love to be happy.  I was just fine on my own before Kyle and I’ll be just fine once I get this out of my system

Ellie reached out to Poppy but she had turned on her heel and was already running up the stair to her room.  When she reached her door she burst through and slammed it behind her.  A childish move maybe but one she hoped would get the point across to Ellie.  She had finally said it out loud.  Her heart had been shattered and she wasn’t sure it could be put back together.