‘I don’t think he’ll want to see me. Men can’t deal with irrational women at the best of times.’
‘We are all irrational, my sweet little sister. If he likes you enough, he’ll be back. They all come back in the end. They realise how good they really had it. The amount of times I’ve had exes knocking on my door.’
‘And they think we’re complicated! Shit!’
‘What’s the matter, Grace?’ Noms looked concerned.
‘I forgot to tell you. Lewis has been in hospital. He had a car accident and broke his arm.’
‘Oh, that’s no good.’
‘He left me the sweetest message saying that he still missed me.’
‘Of course he still misses you. Who wouldn’t. Did you respond?’
‘I sent a text wishing him a quick recovery. Do you know what, though? Sitting looking out to sea when Ed upset me, I realised just how much Lewis and I did have. How deep our love and relationship was. He’s not bad man either, Noms.’
‘I know that. I’ve known him as long as you. I miss him in a way, too. Seven years is a long time.’
‘I’m thinking about meeting him. Just for a coffee, a chat.’
‘Do you think that’s wise? I mean, last time you met him for a chat the poor bloke ended up on his knees in the street proposing to you. You have to be fair.’
‘It’s probably not wise at all. But I don’t know if I can let go of him completely. Maybe we can just be friends for now, at least.’
‘I think that will be hard. You should think seriously about it. Maybe take some time out from men. Listen to the professor and get Gracie Davies back on track.’
‘Maybe.’ She stood up and stretched. ‘I’m so tired after that train journey, I’m going to go and have a lie-down.’
Gracie lay on her bed deep in thought. If somebody asked her now who she would like to walk around the corner, she knew exactly who it would be.
FIFTY-TWO
‘At least it’s your left arm.’ Gracie greeted Lewis in the coffee shop with a smile. ‘Can I sign the cast?’
‘Gracie, that’s what we used to do when we were ten.’
She laughed. ‘Time to grow up, Ms Davies?’
Lewis looked serious. ‘No, it’s not. Don’t ever change, Gracie Davies. I love you just the way you are. What are we doing laughing together, anyway? Last time I saw you, you were busy with your gardener friend.’
Gracie knew she needed to be honest; she couldn’t risk getting his hopes up. ‘I… err. I guess I miss you, too, Lewis, but I’m not ready for anything more than just seeing you like this… for a chat…’
‘As friends, you mean?’
Gracie nodded.
‘I’ve got enough friends, Gracie. It wouldn’t work. Seeing you with the Neanderthal on the common the other week just about finished me off. Are you still seeing him?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘What do you mean you don’t know? Actually, I don’t want to know. How’s the event business going these days?’
‘Brilliantly. It really does make me happy. I should have done something on my own years ago. Of course it helps that I have a free roof to sleep under. Not so much pressure to have to do well.’
‘I would have supported you, once we’d paid off the IVF, you know that. I mean, I was going to have to when the babies came anyway.’
The mention of ‘the babies’ made Gracie take a deep breath.
