‘Maybe. But I don’t want anyone to see us and to end up in the bloody papers. We’ve kept it quiet this long and that suits me.’
‘Well, it’s your decision. I thought maybe he wanted to have dinner with me to get me on side about Jack but he told me categorically that it wasn’t the reason. I think he likes me, Noms.’
‘And why wouldn’t he? You’re good company and you’re looking really beautiful. A tan suits you.’
‘He could have any woman he wants.’
‘And that, my dear sister, is why he likes you. You’re down to earth and not throwing yourself at him.’ Noms smiled knowingly.
‘I probably won’t see him again anyway. He’s leaving in two nights for Vegas.’ Gracie sighed.
‘And how do you feel about that?’
‘Fine, we haven’t slept together, Noms. It’s just like a lovely, romantic friendship. And if it were more, to be honest I couldn’t deal with all the not knowing when I was going to see somebody and having to deal with all the tabloid scandal. I mean, I got jealous of a girl in a bar in Cornwall, for god’s sake.’
Noms had to laugh. ‘Well there is that.’
Gracie smiled. ‘What happened between us was, well it was beautiful, and I have no regrets.’
‘Aw, I’m so pleased.’ Noms squeezed her sister’s shoulder.
‘Toast?’ Noms shook her head as Gracie popped two slices of bread in the toaster. ‘Lewis has already texted. He wants me to go to the flat for eleven. For just a few hours last night I amazingly forgot about the whole sorry situation.’
It felt weird to be knocking on the door of her old flat and not just letting herself in.
Lewis looked tired. He smiled weakly. ‘Hey. How you doing?’
‘I’m hungover.’
‘Oh, right. Coffee?’
‘A strong one please.’
Gracie sat awkwardly in the lounge as Lewis went to the kitchen. The flat seemed like an empty shell now that her things had been taken out. There was a lone empty beer can on the coffee table and the carpet looked like it hadn’t been hoovered in weeks. She was desperate to see if he had cleared out the nursery but knowing the pain that would bring, didn’t dare look. He had promised he would sort it out, sell the stuff and give her some money. She didn’t care about the money.
Lewis put her steaming drink on the table and sat next to her on the sofa. He went to take her hand; she pulled it away.
‘I haven’t seen her since… since that night, you know. In fact, I haven’t seen any other women.’ Lewis blew out a huge breath.
‘That isn’t really the problem, though, is it?’ Gracie took a sip of coffee.
‘So what do you want me to do, Gracie?’
‘Call her, say you saw her, and ask her outright if the baby is yours? As easy as that.’
‘Is that what you really want, though?’
‘I don’t think I could go on not knowing one way or the other. And if you’re honest with me, I bet you can’t either.’ Gracie felt slightly sick.
‘She obviously doesn’t want me to know if it is mine or she’d have been in touch long ago.’
‘Maybe, but I can never be at peace if we don’t find out. And I know you gave me all the “I’d happily adopt” spiel, but I’m not stupid, Lew, deep down I reckon you’d love it if you were the father.’ Gracie felt tears stinging her eyes.
Lewis looked away. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous, Gracie.’
‘I don’t blame you. Who would want to be with a barren old bag like me? Men need to know they’re virile.’
‘Stop it, Gracie! You know I bloody love you…’ He shot up and walked to the window and looked out. ‘Sorry, sorry for shouting.’
