Noms opened the door to a shattered Gracie.
‘Baby sis, what on earth’s the matter? I had a gut feeling he might be a wrong’un.’
‘It’s not him, it’s me. I like him. He’s cute and funny and seems kind but…’ She let out a massive sigh.
Noms sat her down at the kitchen table and put the kettle on. She took her sister’s hand and squeezed it.
‘Maybe it was a bit too early?’
‘Maybe.’ Gracie sighed again. ‘He said he wasn’t sure but I know he wants kids. How am I ever going to find anybody who wants me, Noms? I’m not a proper woman anymore.’ Gracie’s eyes filled with tears.
‘Oh, darling. You’ll be surprised how many men out there don’t want kids, or have kids already…’ The kettle bubbled furiously. ‘So you told him, then – that you can’t, I mean?’
‘Of course not.’ Gracie tutted. ‘He’d have run a mile, I expect.’
Noms looked pained. ‘Oh, sis, I guarantee someone will fall in love with you, for you.’
Gracie rolled her eyes. ‘Miss Naomi Davies, ever the optimist.’
‘I mean, Lewis accepted it, didn’t he?’
Gracie threw her hands up in the air. ‘And then went and slept with someone else. Bad example, Noms.’
‘That had nothing to do with the fact you can’t have kids. He was more than ready to adopt when you were.’
Gracie whined. ‘I don’t want to talk about Lewis.’
Naomi stood up to make the tea. ‘Are you sure you don’t? I’m quite surprised how little you’ve said about him.’
‘It makes me burn inside.’ Her voice became a whisper. ‘I hate him.’ Gracie sighed deeply.
Noms looked pained. ‘Oh, Grace.’
‘It’s fine. I’ll get over everything; it’ll just take a bit of time.’ Her voice wobbled. ‘I may have mucked things up with Ed, but, you’re right – I’m sure there’s someone else out there who’ll show me attention.’
‘You need to concentrate on yourself first.’ Noms placed two mugs of steaming tea down in front of them.
Gracie shook her head. ‘You sound like bloody Professor Princeton.’
‘Maybe you should see him again? He helped you, didn’t he?’
‘Yes, I guess so, but I really can’t afford him at the moment. We’re still paying off the IVF, remember, and I want to get that over with. Until I’ve cleared it, it keeps me bonded to Lewis.’
‘How much do you owe?’
‘A thousandish each now, I think. We put it on a loan. All that bloody money and for what? Heartache and a broken relationship.’
‘You got to feel how it was to be pregnant, Gracie. Some women don’t even get that far.’
Gracie put her hand to her stomach. ‘Always a silver lining,’ Gracie spat sarcastically.
‘Sorry, sorry, that was a silly thing to say.’ Noms looked pained.
‘Yes, it was – that is no comfort to me yet. And if I’m honest, I didn’t actually enjoy feeling so bloody sick all of the time.’
Naomi took a sip of her tea. ‘Have you thought any more about what you are going to do workwise?’
‘With Rob agreeing for me to work flexible hours, I would be silly not to hang in there for a bit. Especially asshe’s not there anymore.’
