‘It’s a long, sad story that I really don’t want to go in to now.’ Gracie sighed.
Ed took Gracie’s hand across the table. ‘I’m a good listener.’ His eyes met hers.
‘Oh. I was living with someone for quite a while, but we split recently.’
‘How recently?’
‘Like, very recently.’
‘Wow, so I’m rebound doors, then, am I?’
‘You can be whatever you like.’ Gracie smiled smugly.
‘Touché!’
‘How about you? Can’t imagine a hot man like you has been single long?’
‘A few months. But I don’t want to talk about me.’
‘So are you looking to settle down, have kids?’ Gracie inwardly cringed as the words flew out of her mouth. She had just met the bloke, but she knew this was a question she’d have to ask. If someone wanted kids, she couldn’t be with them. Her life situation suddenly hit home and she felt a wave of sadness sweep through her.
‘Why, do you fancy practising?’ Ed laughed loudly. ‘Seriously, I think so. But I’m realistic about life. Who knows what it’s going to bring you, eh? How about you, do you want children?’
Gracie shot up. ‘Blimey, look at us talking all grown up. My round. Another one of those?’
Another hour flew by with no further mention of kids or marriage. Ed made Gracie laugh. She needed to laugh.
‘Right, I’d better go. I can’t have another wine or I won’t be able to drive.’ Gracie felt quite giddy as it was.
‘You could always have a soft drink, Gracie?’ Ed urged.
‘No, it’s been really lovely but…’ Gracie went to stand up.
But what? What was wrong with her? She was having a lovely time with a great bloke and she wanted to end the evening. But she was newly single. This wasn’t the right time. And he wanted kids. She would get hurt. No more salt in the wounds, Noms had said. Noms was, for once, right.
‘No, it’s fine, Gracie. A woman’s prerogative and all that,’ Ed said respectfully.
As he was getting up to help her with her jacket, Gracie noticed him glance at a young, tarty-looking blonde as she walked into the bar. The girl glared at him. Ed seemed to freeze, then almost pushed Gracie through the door.
He was visibly shaken when they got outside.
‘Are you OK, Ed?’ Gracie looked genuinely concerned.
‘Yeah, yeah, of course.’
‘Who was that girl?’
‘She just reminded me of someone, that’s all.’
Gracie had kept things from him, so who was she to question further?
‘I’ve had fun, thanks, Ed.’ She went to kiss him on the cheek and he pulled away. He could see the disappointment on her face and it pained him inside.
‘You’re a great girl, Gracie. I’ll see you around, soon, I hope.’ He seemed jumpy.
Within seconds he had sped off to the car park, leaving an open-mouth Gracie standing on the pavement. That was it, she had blown it already. He thought she wasn’t interested. And was it just paranoia that made her imagine that girl was giving her funny looks? Oh God. Being single was going to be so much harder than she thought.
TWENTY-FIVE
