‘Come here,’ he said gently. She felt confused. He put his muscly arms around her and hugged her to him. ‘Gracie Davies, hands up – I confess I fancy the pants off you. And the other night…’
‘Coo… eee!’ Kate’s timing was rubbish. They broke their embrace before she could spot them. ‘Oh, hi, Ed.’
‘Hey. Rumour has it there’s a new venture afoot and I, of course, didn’t want to miss out on the common gossip.’ Ed smiled warmly.
‘Oh, right?’ Kate clocked his tanned legs. Gracie was still reeling from how Ed’s hug had made her feel. Fact: hugs were an amazing invention.
‘I’d better get on. Catch up later.’ He winked at Gracie and sped off.
‘Gracie? Is there something you should be telling me?’ Kate gave a knowing look.
She shrugged. ‘I went on a date with him the other night, that’s all. I don’t think it’s going anywhere.’
‘He seems nice. Maybe you should just go on another one. He’s cute and it sounds like you could do with some fun.’
‘I’ll see. I want this to be my focus now. Not pesky men.’
‘You’re funny, Gracie. “Pesky”, I love that word.’
‘Yes, so underused. I also just had a eureka moment about how we could market our new club. How about the strapline –The SW19 Club – Miscarriage Matters.’
Kate’s eyes shone. ‘Well done, you! That’s perfect. I think we should create some flyers ourselves, put one on the café noticeboard and leave some on the tables, too. And I can ask the mums at my Alice’s school to spread the word.’
‘Shall we advertise the first one for next week?’
‘Yes, let’s get on with it. One of my friends is an author – I know she’d happily come along and sign books – and I know someone who sells a great make-up range. Do you think your sister might come along with her handbags?’
‘We can make it a social ladies’ event. If people want to talk about what they’ve been through, then all the better.’
‘How much should we charge, do you think?’ Kate screwed up her face.
‘I think £10 each is reasonable,’ Gracie enthused. ‘With free tea, coffee and biscuits. I mean, it’s not going to make us much, but it’s a start and there is so much scope here to think of more money-making schemes.’
‘Baby steps and all that.’ Kate laughed. ‘Excuse the terrible pun.’
Gracie grasped her arms to herself. ‘This is so exciting.’
‘Yes, it is. I’m glad I met you, Gracie. I think we both needed this.’
‘Ditto and, yes, I think you’re right.’
‘I’d better get going.’ Kate grabbed her bag. ‘Little Flossy is booked into Poncy Paws at midday for her grooming session.’
Gracie smiled to herself at the confirmation that the women of Wimbledon Common were far from common. But women they were, and now she could try to help some of them and maybe even herself along the way.
Before she could concentrate on her new beginnings, there was one important call she needed to make. She reached for her phone and scrolled for Lewis’s number.
THIRTY-FOUR
Gracie had barely taken off her jacket when Scott Princeton began his interrogation.
‘So how did the date go?’
She had chosen not to lie down today and sat in a chair across from him. She clearly felt strong enough not to have to shut her eyes. The old adage that time was a good healer was true.
‘It was OK. Great dinner, and Ed is good company. He makes me laugh.’
‘And how did the night progress?’
