‘I don’t know.’
‘We need to talk about this, Gracie. If things had been running smoothly, it never would have happened.’
‘So, every time we have a row now, or I may not fancy sex and you go out, what do you think I’ll be thinking?’
‘You can’t just run out on me, Gracie.’
‘Watch me!’
THIRTEEN
‘Why is Auntie Grace crying, Mummy?’
Naomi Davies handed her sister a tissue. Gracie blew her nose loudly and ruffled her nephew’s hair.
‘Me and Uncle Lewis had a row, that’s all, darling. I’m fine, don’t you worry about me, little man.’
‘Why did you have a row?’ The innocent inquisitiveness continued.
‘Be a good boy and eat your cereal or you’ll be late for school.’ Naomi dragged her dark long hair up into an untidy ponytail.
‘But Mum…’ Five-year-old Jack bashed his spoon down and milk flew across the kitchen table.
‘No buts, eat!’
Naomi Davies looked a little worn for her forty years. Her previous sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle, plus the stress of single parenting, were beginning to catch up with her.
She had never really wanted kids, preferring a free-spirited hippy lifestyle. But while on holiday in Croatia, a one-night stand with a Hollywood actor who happened to be filming there, no less, had put paid to that.
Gracie had gone along with her to the abortion clinic, but Naomi couldn’t go through with it. And nine months later, baby Jack was born. It was just the two of them – and that’s how it had stayed.
Long-term relationships had never been on her agenda either. In fact, having slept with half the male population of London and become increasingly frustrated at the lack of compatibility, Naomi had found herself more and more attracted to women.
‘Phew, that’s him out of my hair until three.’ Naomi returned from the school run and flicked the kettle on. She looked to a puffy-eyed Gracie. ‘So, firstly, little sis, what are you going to do about work?’
‘I’ll have to resign, won’t I? I mean, how on earth can I face the bitch? I just can’t.’
‘What did you say to Rob this morning?’
‘I told him what had happened. I couldn’t lie to him, he’s been so good to me. He was great as usual, there’s no urgency on any events at the moment, so he said take the week off. Have a good think about what I want to do.’ Gracie ran her hands through her hair. ‘He doesn’t want to lose me, butshedoes bring in a hell of a lot of business. It’s not his problem, is it? Oh God, Noms! I can’t believe this is happening.’
‘I never thought the scumbag gave you enough attention after you lost the babies, to be honest, Grace.’
‘Yeah, I know all that, but I love him and he’s been through it, too.’
‘Still, no bloody excuse to sleep with someone else. Especially a woman you work with!’
‘I know, I know. I don’t know what to do, Noms. I mean if I leave him where will I live? And I can’t leave work, I need the money. But I seriously don’t think I could ever trust him again now. Or work with her, for that matter.’
‘You can’t stay with someone just because you’ve got nowhere else to go.’
‘Give me a break, sis.’ Gracie blew out a huge breath. ‘I need to get my head around it all.’
‘I realise that, Grace. But, how dare he? You’re so beautiful. You lost those precious little babies and he does this to you. What an arse.’
Gracie sighed deeply. ‘I’ve been hell to live with.’
‘I’m not buying that.’ Naomi’s voice softened. You can move in here. I don’t need any money from you, you know that.’
