The grief monster surged its way through Gracie.
‘And you can’t even do the simple job of clearing this room, you lazy bastard. No babies are coming here, Lewis. Unless you and Annalize get it together. Then you’ll have a ready-made bedroom!’ Angry tears started running down her face.
‘Gracie, stop it. You’re only hurting yourself. I can’t bear to see you like this.’
‘And I can’t bear to feel like this.’ She wiped her face with the back of her hand. ‘I can’t see you again, Lewis. Every time I do I feel angry and sad and now this has happened, I just can’t look at you.’
‘But it was you who arranged to meet me the other day?’ Lewis softened.
‘Yes, in a moment of weakness. But going back is of no use to either of us. There’s too much hurt, too much anger. Look, if you get hold of her, just text me. The way I’m feeling now, I don’t know if I care if that baby is yours or not. You two shit heads are welcome to each other.’
Lewis’s cry of ‘I don’t bloody want her’ was completely ignored as Gracie grabbed her handbag and slammed the door behind her.
FIFTY-EIGHT
Ed smiled as Gracie walked into the pub and joined him at the bar. She felt unnerved by the faint flutter of butterflies in her tummy. He was a very handsome man.
‘Hello, my stroppy little minx.’ Ed smirked. ‘What can I get you?’
‘A large white wine, please.’ Gracie felt suddenly awkward.
‘Why don’t you grab a seat outside, it’s such a nice evening. I’ll go to the bar.’
Soon after, Ed placed the drinks on the table and sat down opposite her.
‘So, how are you, Ms Davies?’
‘I’m all right, thanks,’ she lied, really not wanting to discuss the Lewis situation.
Ed slurped the froth off his Guinness. ‘You don’t sound it. Look, I’m really sorry about what happened in Fowey.’
‘It’s cool. I overreacted.’ Gracie took a large slug of her wine.
‘No, I thought about it driving back. I get where you were coming from about me not telling you about my friends joining us. I just thought you’d be fine with it, that’s all.’
‘A woman’s runaway mind and all that.’ Gracie managed a smile.
‘Alas, I feel I will never fathom the intricacies of the female psyche,’ Ed laughed. ‘I found it quite flattering that you got jealous about Skye.’
‘I wasn’t jealous.’ Gracie’s abruptness gave her away.
‘Gracie Davies, your green eyes went even greener.’
She smiled. ‘She’s a pretty girl – that’s what you said, anyway.’
‘Come on, let’s not go down that route. I was drunk and maybe I was flirting a bit, but give me some credit, Gracie. I was down there with you. I respect you. I have to say they did think it was a bit odd you clearing off.’
‘I do feel embarrassed now.’ Gracie took a sip of wine.
‘Don’t be. But you do understand why I didn’t come back, don’t you? I haven’t had a holiday for bloody ages and it gave me time to forget about the court case.’
‘Yes, I know. And it’s not so far away now, is it?’
‘First week of September. I’m shitting myself. I’m meeting my barrister later. She seems really positive about it all.’
‘Well, you’re not guilty, so justice will prevail.’
Ed took another swig from his pint. ‘I hope so.’
