Gracie laughed. ‘A fate worse than death. At least the perfectly bodied Skye isn’t here now, she went home. She’s a mate of Glyn’s girlfriend, so I don’t know why on earth I got jealous. I can’t even blame it on my hormones anymore.’
As Gracie headed back towards the flat she was greeted with a ‘Hey’ from the outside area of the restaurant which was directly below their apartment, and saw that Ed was there with Glyn and Leah. ‘I thought it might be good to have brunch here, seeing as it’s so close to our place and I knew I wouldn’t miss you coming past.’
Glyn and Leah smiled widely. Gracie sat down and put her bags of supplies next to her and ordered a cup of tea. If she couldn’t beat them, she might as well join them.
Brunch was amazing. The restaurant made its own bread and the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs were to die for. Leah and Glyn made the effort to get to know her and Ed was his usual self. It wasn’t until they wandered round to the harbour that her heart sank, because there, in tiny denim shorts and a cropped top, was the Amazonian Skye.
Gracie picked up on Ed’s delight and tried to keep calm. ‘I didn’t know you were coming.’
Skye smiled. ‘How could a girl resist on a day like this?’
Gracie hadn’t realised quite how short her sea legs were until she started being sick over the side of the boat. The sea wasn’t even that rough, but the rocking motion was just enough to upset her equilibrium. Leah was an angel, bringing her tissues and water. Ed, a self-professed sick phobic, couldn’t get within two feet of her so stayed up the front of the boat with Glyn and the long one.
Glyn insisted that he take her back to shore. Gracie, getting greener by the minute, just nodded in agreement.
Ed helped her onto dry land. ‘Do you want me to come back to the apartment with you?’
‘No, you go back out there. I’m fine. Sorry to be such a lightweight.’
Gracie lay on top of the covers with the curtains blowing a delicious sea breeze over her. Her mind was suddenly full of doubt. Of course she had wanted Ed to come back with her and see if she was all right. Maybe he just wasn’t the person she had hoped he was. Maybe she had been swept away by the initial spark of attraction. Maybe it had been too early to get involved so soon after Lewis. Maybe a man at thirty-two wasn’t a grown up yet. Maybe this had all been a terrible mistake.
It was getting dark when she woke up and she couldn’t believe how long she had slept for. She felt much better. And she was relieved to see a note next to her on the pillow, telling her that ‘the crew’ were all in The Galleon and asking her to join them if she was feeling up to it.
Taking her time to get ready, she put on the dress she knew Ed liked her in and took special care with her make-up. Serene Skye may have legs up to her armpits and ten years on her, but Ed had invited her here, Ed wanted to be with her, nobody else. What had Professor Princeton said about self-esteem? She really had to think more of herself. Just because Lewis cheated on her, it didn’t mean that every man would.
It was 10 p.m. by the time she was ready. She could hear a band playing in The Galleon as she walked across the quayside. She smiled. She loved live music – it was going to be a great night. She walked into the heaving bar and looked around for Ed and the others. Leah was at the bar with Glyn.
‘Hey, Gracie, you look a bit better now, how you feeling?’
‘So much better for being on terra firma. Thanks for your help earlier.’
‘Drink?’
‘I’ll just have a Diet Coke, please, where’s Ed?’
‘Outside on the terrace. See you out there in a minute.’
Gracie wandered outside. There was barely any space to stand. At first she couldn’t see Ed anywhere. But then she spotted his large shoulders, very close to skinny Skye’s. They were flirting animatedly and, as he noticed her approach, she saw him freeze. He leapt up as she got near.
‘Gracie! How you feeling, darling? Can I get you a drink?’ He was slurring his words.
Skye looked discomfited. ‘We thought you’d conked out for the night.’
‘You mean you wish I had.’ Gracie couldn’t help letting her feelings show.
‘What?’ Skye looked confused.
‘Gracie, don’t be silly. What’s wrong?’ Ed put his arm around her.
‘I’m going to the toilet,’ Gracie huffed.
‘Gracie, what is it? We were just talking.’
‘You were flirting your arse off.’
Ed gave a sheepish smile. ‘Well, she’s a pretty girl.’
Whoosh! A red mist covered the pub.
