‘And before you start to think it’s just out of gratitude…’ Elena smiled. ‘It’s really not. We’ve had the best feedback for you that we’ve had for a teacher for many years. Your students love you, and they’ve all been asking us if there’s any way you can stay on. At the end of the day, it’s purely business.’
Elena shot her a big wink. It was nice to be appreciated. But it was too soon to think that far ahead. She still had one lifechanging decision that she could only make on her own.
‘Thank you for the offer, Elena.’
The smiling woman rose to leave.
‘You don’t have to decide now. If you need to sort some things out, after Christmas would work as well. Just let me know when you’re ready.’
Grace got up to say goodbye to her guest, as Will waved Panos off too. They flopped back down in their seats and watched the couple walk down the path and drive off. Will spoke first.
‘Well, that was a bit of a shock. Panos has basically brought forward my retirement to now, on a full pension, as a thank you for what I did that night.’
Grace watched his face carefully.
‘I’m free, Grace. To do what I want, whatever that is.’
Will lay back in his chair.
‘I’ve always fancied buying a camper van and travelling round the rest of Europe.’
‘That sounds fun.’
Grace didn’t let on that she’d already done it. Travelling with Will would be a totally different experience anyway… if she agreed to go with him.
Will put his hand on hers.
‘Do you mean that?’
Grace’s phone alarm went off before she could say anything more.
‘Oh, drat. It’s the reminder that my daughter Lottie’s gender reveal party is about to start. I’d better get the computer set up.’
She hadn’t yet had a chance to let the girls know she’d moved into Will’s place. It had been nearly a week now, but it needed some explaining and it never seemed to be the right time. The plan had been to position herself against a blank white wall for the gender reveal, and pretend she was in her room at the language school. But she had so little time, it would have to be Will’s dining table and hope for the best. After the reveal, the three of them had agreed to stay on the call and chat. She needed Will out of the way for that.
His hand was still on hers.
‘I’m waiting for an answer.’
Grace leapt up.
‘Well, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. Why don’t you have a shower now, and I’ll be up later to check you’re OK.’
Will’s slow smile was something she couldn’t look at for long.
‘Promise?’
‘Yes, I promise.’
Grace helped him halfway up the stairs and checked that he’d got into his room. They’d moved Karen up with her basket, and she could hear Will murmuring endearments to the kitten. She raced back and pressed on the link. There was her daughter, flanked by friends and Brad’s family. So far away. Brad had his arms round Lottie’s middle, and a big iced cake was centre stage in front of them. She hadn’t missed any of it, thank goodness.
Lottie was poised with a huge knife, which made Grace look away for a second. Knives weren’t her favourite thing at the moment.
There was a countdown going on.
‘Five, four, three, two, one!’
Those watching around the table screamed their heads off as Lottie plunged the knife into the cake. Grace had to admit it was a bit more exciting than being told the sex of your baby at a scan. But still not as exciting as waiting for the baby to be born first.
