No arguments, you are to clear your IVF debt, book some sessions with the prof and the rest is for you to spend unwisely, dear sis. PS. I love you x
Bless her dear darling sister. She knew the interest she earned from Jack’s dad’s money kept her completely solvent, but still this was a big deal. This thin piece of paper represented freedom from the debt which was a constant reminder of the lost twins, plus complete freedom from Lewis. She would have no need to contact him at all now. She would settle their joint loan and move on.
Boris yapped at her knees. ‘We’ll go in a minute, darling, promise. Look, here’s a treat.’ Boris sat in the corner, happy for a minute to eat the biscuit she’d given him.
Gracie made some tea and scrolled through the photos in her phone, ticking every one of Lewis. Her finger hovered over the delete button, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to press it. She sighed deeply and popped her phone back into her rucksack.
‘Come on, Boris, let’s go burn some fat.’
TWENTY-SEVEN
Maya put out her cigarette and jumped into Gracie’s car.
‘Thanks for giving me a lift, Gracie. I really couldn’t be arsed to cycle today. Hello, Boris.’
Boris barked and put his paws on the back of the seat.
‘No worries, good to have the company.’
They parked up at the common and started a steady jog.
‘So, how did the date go with Eddie boy, then? And more importantly how bigishis cock?’
‘Maya Bakova, you are possibly the rudest girl I have ever met.’
‘Possibly?’ Maya laughed. ‘Anyway, tell me. I have to know.’
‘We had a drink in The Goose, that was it. I left early. He seemed a bit twitchy. Not even a kiss goodbye.’
‘And any word since?’
‘Nothing, so I obviously blew it.’
‘Shame you didn’t at least blow it, Gracie. You could do with some action.’
‘I’m not that fussed, to be honest.’
‘Don’t lie; it’s obvious you fancy Ed.’
They sat on their customary bench allowing Maya to have a cigarette and Gracie to admire the daffodils. She wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or not when she heard the familiar sound of a quad bike approaching. She wondered if Ed had some sort of personal CCTV device as he always seemed to appear when they were sitting down.
‘Hey.’ Gracie smiled shyly as Ed turned off the engine and got off the bike.
‘Hey.’
‘It’s good to see…’ Gracie noticed how fit he looked in his tight red T-shirt and black cargo pants.
Ed cut Gracie short. ‘Look, I’m so sorry about rushing off the other night, and then I lost my bloody phone, so I couldn’t get in touch.’
‘Yeah, right,’ Maya uttered under her breath.
‘Yes, right.’ Ed sounded annoyed at Maya’s comment. ‘Got it back this morning. How about I make it up to you and we go out for dinner tomorrow night? My treat.’
‘I… err…’ Gracie screwed up her face.
Maya stepped in. ‘She’d love to, Ed.’
He looked to Gracie for confirmation.
