The vibrant woman greeted Gracie with a smile and a kiss. ‘Wow, you look amazing, girl. The break has certainly done you good.’
‘You look pretty chirpy yourself and I had a fab time, thanks.’
Kate picked a piece of litter up from the grass. ‘Where did you go in the end?’
‘Noms has got a friend who has a villa in St Lucia, we went there. It was pure bliss.’
‘Lucky you! I adore the Caribbean. We ended up going down to Cornwall for a week; the house was lovely but the weather was bloody awful.’
‘Bad weather means lots more bed time, though, surely?’ Gracie smirked.
‘Really? With a petulant child on board? We only had sex once.’
‘Well, it only takes one of those little swimmers, Kate.’
‘I know.’ Her face dropped. ‘I just wish Kevin would enter them into a few more galas.’
Gracie smiled. ‘Well, chin up, chicken, we have a new venture now to take your mind off all that. Saying that, I’m a bit nervous, actually.’
Kate put her arm on Gracie’s. ‘Aw, don’t be. To be honest, I’ve no idea how many we will get coming along today. The Facebook page you set up has helped, but I’ve only been back a week myself and know I could have done more advertising.’
‘This looks fantastic, though.’ Gracie scanned the outside area. ‘And I’ve got more flyers to dot around today too, the same ones I dropped in some places in the high street.’
‘Good, good.’ Kate retrieved her mobile from her pocket and checked for messages. ‘That’s somebody else who’s coming from the school.’
‘Great! I can obviously put a lot more time in moving forward and I think it was a genius idea to do a launch for the whole event business and not just start with Miscarriage Matters. This weather makes it perfect, too.’
Gracie went inside and noticed a sectioned-off area with a dressing-up box, toys and books. Kate followed her in. ‘Brilliant, you’ve set up a play area. You’ve thought of everything.’
Kate flushed at the praise. ‘Well, I thought a little investment now with toys, the parasols and all that would bolster interest. I’ve got jugs of lemonade and fizz in the fridge. The urn is on in the kitchen for teas and coffees. Mac from the café is firing up the BBQ at eleven.’
‘Great, you’ve got it all covered, by the look of it. Noms will be down at ten to set up her bag stall and Ed said he’d connect my phone to the speakers when he’s got a minute.’
‘Good stuff. My make-up friend is coming at ten. Sally, that’s my author friend, is busy today, but hopefully will make the next one. Talking of the lovely Ed, I don’t suppose you have seen him since you’ve been back, have you?’
Gracie blushed slightly.
‘Ah, so you have?’ Kate smirked.
‘So you have what?’ Ed appeared with a big smile on his face. Gracie blushed some more. She couldn’t deny that sex with him the other night had been amazing. He had been so gentle, but also so passionate. It was as if opening up to him about the babies and him being completely honest with her about his predicament had allowed her to feel so much closer to him. Meeting Leo had also given her an inner confidence. For the first time in ages she liked her body and wasn’t shy of being naked. She still wasn’t the size she’d like to be, by any means, but she was brown and toned and, most importantly, felt really well.
She had been nervous to make love to someone other than Lewis and, as she lay looking up at Ed’s ceiling, she did fleetingly think of him. More because she had made the breakthrough of sleeping with somebody else, than the fact she was comparing the two.
‘Just the man.’ Gracie smiled. ‘I need to set up the music.’
‘Here, give me your phone, I’ll get it sorted.’
Gracie handed her handset over and followed him into the hall. Within seconds he connected it up and soothing notes from London Grammar caught the breeze outside.
‘God, you’re good.’ Gracie skimmed his bum with her hand.
‘I know. Bloody brilliant.’
He ushered her into the kitchen area and edged her towards the wall. She put her hands under his shirt and felt instantly horny.
She laughed as he bent to kiss her.
He pushed himself gently against her and whispered, ‘God, I so want to fuck you again.’
