Two months seemed to pass in a blur for Gracie. She’d been so busy that she’d not sat down with Noms properly for a catch-up for what seemed like an age. It was easier to find quiet time together now Jack was back at school, so they had arranged a relaxing lunch at the local Italian.
Gracie sat back in the restaurant seat with a dramatic sigh.
‘This is just what I needed. I’m bloody knackered.’
Noms smiled. ‘Yes, agree. It’s so good to do this. Jack can be a handful during the holidays.’
‘Bless him.’ Gracie laughed. ‘I do love that kid and always ask me to do more, if I can, I will.’
‘You’ve been crazy busy, it’s fine.’
A waiter appeared to take their food and drinks order.
‘Yes, the business couldn’t have gone any better. It makes me so happy to have a focus, that I can call my own,’ Gracie enthused. ‘Kate’s both delightful and delighted, too. We’re making far more money out of it than we ever imagined and, now word is spreading, I can only see it getting busier.’
‘I’m so proud of you, too. Of how far you’ve come, you know.’ Noms put her hand across to her sister’s.
‘Thank you. Time has definitely been a healer. I don’t wake up every day and think about the twins like I used to. More like, how on earth am I going to fit everything into the day? Anyway, more importantly, how’s it going with Ali?’ Gracie raised her eyebrows.
Noms smirked. ‘Great, actually. It’s so weird that I am officially in a relationship with a woman. She just does it for me, though. I get on so well with her, it is like having an amazing girlfriend with benefits, who just seems to get me.’
‘I’m so pleased for you, Noms. You deserve every happiness. I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Mr Film Star, have you?’ Gracie asked tentatively.
Noms screwed up her nose. ‘He emailed last week just to check up on Jack but that was it.’
‘No mention of me, then?’
‘Said to say hi to you, but no more than that. Sorry, I forgot to tell you. Have you thought much about him and what happened in Barcelona?’
‘Yes, of course, but the more I think of it the more I have to be realistic. Did you see him inHolamagazine last week with that young brunette on his arm? She’s the daughter of someone in a heavy metal band, apparently.’ Gracie waved her hand dismissively.
‘No, I didn’t see it. It’s funny, when I first had Jack, I used to stalk him online, but I don’t care what he gets up to now. Although, if it involved him hurting you, of course I would.’
‘TheHolaarticle was on the gossip-column page so who knows the context, but I don’t think I could live with that every day. I was jealous for a second and then had a word with myself. I’m so glad I didn’t sleep with him before he left. He was adamant that he wouldn’t let me down and would contact me when he got back from Vegas, but I won’t hold my breath.’
Noms took a sip of her fizzy water. ‘I’m impressed you’re being so measured about it all, Grace.’
‘I think I have to be with him. He did seem to be so into me. He even slipped in that he’d take me to a chapel in Vegas and we’d get married, but I know what it is – it’s the fact that I didn’t put it on a plate for him. Don’t get me wrong, Leo boosted me no end. He gave me two amazing nights, but…’
‘But what?’
‘He hasn’t contacted me once: no text, no mail, no nothing. If he had cared just a little bit, then he could have made some sort of effort.’
‘He’s like that though, Grace. On set, it’s full on. And if you had chosen to be with him, it would always have been like that.’
Gracie shrugged. ‘Out of sight, out of mind, more like. If he really liked me, he would still be keeping me interested.’
‘Hmm.’ Noms cocked her head. ‘He isn’t a bad person, just a busy person.’
‘Yes, but it takes two seconds to send a message, so I’m more peeved than hurt. My gut told me it would never be right, and hurrah, I listened to it, for once.’
‘Bless you.’ Noms took another drink.
‘And I don’t think he could give up that lifestyle,’ Gracie added, ‘much as he professes he wants a quiet life.’
‘I agree, it’s in his DNA.’ Noms sighed. ‘I’m waiting to see if it’s nature or nurture for Jack. He could be the next Leo Woodall, who knows.’
Gracie fanned herself with the menu. ‘Now he isanotherfilm star called Leo, I would entertain.’
