‘Yes. Potentially a new job and a new knob.’ Gracie laughed out loud. ‘That was so rude, sorry!’
The professor hid his surprise. Gracie was usually so reserved. She’d obviously been spending too much time with Maya.
She got up from the chaise.
‘If you did want to come along next week, I have Monday evening at seven? I think the sooner I see you the better.’
Gracie nodded. ‘I will need a chat by then, with all that’s going on. I forgot to tell you – Lewis sent me a poem he knows I love.’
‘Interesting that it wasn’t at the front of your mind, don’t you think?’
‘Yes, I guess so.’ Her face dropped slightly. She handed the professor his cash. ‘Right, I’d better go.’
‘Good luck with everything and see you next week.’
As the door shut behind her, Scott hoped that she hadn’t picked up on the fact that he had completely slipped out of professional mode and had been talking to her in a way he may have spoken to his own daughter.
TWENTY-NINE
‘Hi, there.’ Kate was just unlocking the door to the function room when Gracie pitched up.
It was a bright April morning and for the first time in ages Gracie was in a buoyant mood. As she followed Kate in, Gracie thought they must be about the same age. Kate had a perfect, tiny figure, long straight dark hair and an elfin-shaped face. But she looked as tired and strained this morning as she had the day before. When Kate reached up to open a window, Gracie noticed her wince.
‘Let me help. Are you OK?’ These simple kind words were too much for Kate. She swiftly brushed tears away with the back of her hand.
‘It’s nothing, really.’
‘You sit down.’ Gracie ushered Kate to a couple of chairs that were not stacked up with the others in the corner of the wooden function room. ‘I’ll go and get us a coffee. And none of this skinny latte rubbish, I think you need some nourishment.’
Kate was looking at her phone when Gracie came back with the hot drinks in hand.
‘Right, down to business.’ Kate was all official now. ‘I’m Kate Johnson by the way, and it’s GracieDavies, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, that’s right. And are you sure you don’t want a chat? I’m a good listener, you know.’ Gracie smiled warmly.
‘Like I said, it’s nothing really.’ She took a noisy intake of breath. ‘I had a miscarriage two weeks ago. I was only ten weeks pregnant, so I know it doesn’t really count.’
Tears rushed to both of their eyes.
‘Stop right there, lady. Doesn’t count? Of course it counts. Ten whole weeks is a quarter of a pregnancy.’ Gracie tutted and gave Kate a sad smile. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh, Gracie, not everyone understands that! My husband thinks I should just get on with it. I’m finding it hard. We had been trying for six months, too. I only have Alice and I’m thirty-nine, so have to be realistic. Time is not on my side.’ Tears started to run down her cheeks.
Gracie reached for a pack of tissues in her bag and handed one over. ‘Bless you. I do totally understand.’
‘Do you have children, Gracie?’ Kate sniffed.
‘The million-dollar and completely heartbreaking question for me. And my standard answer: no, sadly, I don’t.’ Gracie reached for a tissue and blew her nose.
‘You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to.’ Kate took a tentative sip of her coffee through the lid.
‘I need to tell you.’ Gracie took a deep breath. ‘It may help us both. I lost twins, you see, seven months ago now. I was five months pregnant.’ Gracie looked up to keep her own tears from falling.
Kate began to cry again. ‘Oh, you poor girl.’
‘It gets worse. I then had to have a hysterectomy. It’s shit. I’m sad. I miss what could have been. Last month, my boyfriend cheated on me. That’s it in a nutshell, I’m afraid.’
‘I am so, so sorry, Gracie. How the hell do you ever get over that?’
