Rob frowned. ‘Will you make enough money doing it, though, Gracie?’
‘I don’t know: it’s a completely new venture. We need to start marketing it pretty sharpish. I realise I’ll have to work out my notice.’
‘Let me think… How about this as a proposition?’ Rob Warhurst scratched his beard. ‘You stay on the payroll and work as on-site event support instead of being an events manager. I’ll probably need you around eight days a month, but at least then you’ll have a steady base income coming in. Julia in production has expressed an interest in events, so can take on your full-time position.’ He banged his hand down on the table. ‘Sorted!’
Gracie couldn’t believe it. ‘I could kiss you, Rob Warhurst, that’s perfect!’
‘Could you? Could you really?’ Rob looked serious, then lunged towards her and placed a scratchy, coffee-breathed kiss on her lips.
Gracie jumped up. ‘Whoa, where did that come from?’
‘Shit! I’m sorry, Gracie.’ Rob looked mortified and put his head in his hands. ‘Mrs Warhurst isn’t only gadget-worn, she appears to beme-worn, too. We haven’t had sex for weeks.’
‘Oh, Rob. I think you’re great, but one, you are married and two, you are my boss. Not forgetting, of course, that I have just split from my boyfriend and don’t know where my head is at the moment.’ Gracie blew out a noisy breath and ran her hands through her hair. ‘Maybe it’s not a good idea that I stay here?’
‘Don’t say that. I love having you around. You are a breath of fresh air.’
Gracie thought for a moment but she knew what she had to do. ‘No. I’ve made my decision. I’ll work the week out and then I move on. My sister has cleared my debts and I’m living at hers rent free until I sort myself out, so I’ll be fine financially for a bit.’
Rob exhaled loudly as Gracie went on. ‘I’m sorry, Rob. I really do appreciate all you’ve done for me, but the time is right, especially since this has happened. I would feel awkward now.’
‘What a prat. I need to sort myself out. Look, don’t even worry about your notice. I’ll pay you to the end of the month. Go and be happy, Gracie Davies. I know you will be successful in whatever you put your mind to.’
Feeling slightly grossed-out at what had just happened, Gracie faked a smile and got up to leave. ‘Let’s have a catch-up in a few weeks, eh? And thanks again for being such a great boss. Maybe take Mrs Warhurst away on holiday somewhere nice? But be sure not to take one single gadget with you.’
Rob laughed. ‘We’ll sort it out, I’m sure.’
‘You will.’ Gracie got up and walked towards the door.
‘And Gracie? Don’t ever lose sight of what an amazing person you are.’
Tears pricked her eyes.
‘It’s been a blast, eh, Rob? And when life gives you lemons, what do we do?’
‘Grab tequila and salt!’ they shouted in unison and laughed.
THIRTY-THREE
Gracie’s hand shook with excitement as she turned the key to the Windmill Café hall. To her relief, there had been no sign of Ed’s van in the car park; she hoped it was one of his weekdays off. Today was about moving forward with her life, not about men.
She put her bag and laptop down on the side and looked around her. It was a decent space and the kitchen and toilet areas were modern and clean. There was even a little office and she smiled to see that Kate had put a printer in for her already. It really was perfect. Her very own event space that she could fill however she wanted. For the first time in ages, she felt happy and liberated. She knew that Kate would let her have free rein; it was like having her own business but without the worry of all the overheads. Quite perfect, in fact.
As she popped around to the café and grabbed herself a cup of tea and a banana, she made a mental note to buy supplies for the kitchen so she could cut out the expense of buying teas and coffees from the counter every time.
Cutting down on the flapjacks and doing more exercise was certainly doing the trick. To her losing weight had never been complex. It was the first push to want to do it that was hard. And if she cut out the crap and moved more it was a guaranteed route to success. Not a hard concept to grasp. Maybe she should market that, too, and blow all the faddy diets out of the water. Although, saying that it seemed that everyone was turning to weight loss injections now!
It was great that the weather was starting to get better. She wouldn’t need to use the heating here for the time being and she could make use of the outdoor space at the café, too.
She took her tea into the office with her laptop. Then, deep in thought, tapped her nails on the table. Her main target audience were the array of women who frequented the common. Opening the computer, she began to create a list of ideas that she and Kate could discuss on top of the SW19 Club.
Children’s birthday parties – maybe themed – goody bags (anything to save mum time)
