‘She’s your barrister, right?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I was seeing a therapist – to go through the baby stuff – his surname was Princeton.’
‘Yeah, that’s right. She said her old man did that shit.’
Gracie thought back to how Scott had been quite sharp when she mentioned Ed and the rape case… it made more sense now. And, of course, because of the ethics of it all, he couldn’t discuss it, she guessed.
‘So why can’t she represent you?’
‘All I’ve been told is that there are unforeseen circumstances. It’s pissed me off, to be honest. She seems a bloody good barrister and I’m worried now.’
‘You’re innocent and that is what a jury is for. Try not to worry.’
‘Yes, but Cynthia – well, she just seemed to have every avenue covered.’
Gracie finished her drink.
Ed lifted his half-drunk pint. ‘That was quick. Do you want another or do you want to come back to mine and really de-stress?’
Gracie knew she had to be straight with him. ‘Look, Ed. As much as that thought is tempting, I really don’t think this is going anywhere.’
‘Does it have to? I mean we have a good time together, right? The other night, you blew my mind. Come on, let’s just go and get naked. You know it makes sense.’
He winked at her.
‘I haven’t been totally honest with you.’ Gracie felt a bit sick.
‘Oh?’
‘I… err… I went on a date with someone else.’
Ed’s face fell. ‘The night your phone was switched off? I bloody knew it. Thanks, Gracie, thanks a lot. I thought you could at least be honest with me.’
‘I’m sorry, Ed. I’m just so mixed up about everything at the moment.’
‘Lover boy Lewis, I suppose? You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?’
‘A date doesn’t have to mean sex, you know?’
‘No wonder you were so hot the other night. Got a taste for it, have you?’
‘Ed, you don’t have to be quite so vile.’
‘Good, was he?’
‘Stop it now. I was having my reservations about us after Cornwall, to be honest. I don’t want to be worrying about trusting you, especially after Lewis.’
‘You trusting me!’ Ed’s voice raised an octave.
‘You’re the one who’s just run back to the man who shagged someone else, nice.’
His voice was getting louder.
‘Ssh, not so loud.’
‘Don’t shush me, Gracie.’
