ChapterThirty
Grace ran to search the kitchen drawers before putting a piece of paper, a pen, a tealight and a box of matches into her bag.
It was thankfully quiet on the beach. The tourist season was coming to an end and people were leaving the island to go back to their full-time homes. Grace drew a single heart on the piece of paper and folded it into the shape of a boat, the way she’d done for generations of pupils over the years. She lit the tealight with a shaking hand and placed it in the centre of the boat. It wasn’t exactly a Viking long ship, but it would do.
The warm sea caressed her body as she waded out up to her thighs. She took a moment to scan the horizon before she placed the little boat on the surface of the water and pushed it on its way, its fragile light burning bright.
Grace followed its progress through the waves with an aching heart.
‘Goodbye, my darling. I’ll never forget you as long as I live.’
Her voice caught in her throat, but she forced herself to continue. She hadn’t been able to speak at Phil’s funeral, it would have undone her, but she could speak now.
‘You gave me two wonderful daughters, and a life full of love and laughter every single day we were together. You’ll always be a part of my life, and you will live on in our girls and our unborn grandson. I’m so sad you’ll never meet him, but you’ll always be a part of him.’
Grace blinked away the tears that blurred her vision.
‘But it’s finally time to move on, like you always told me I should. I’m sure you don’t want the details, but honestly, you’d like him. He’s a good man, and I know that I can be happy with him, like I was happy with you.’
Grace watched as the tide took the boat further and further away, the tiny flame of the tealight dancing in the breeze until it disappeared from sight. She touched her fingertips to her lips and let the kiss float free.
‘Godspeed my love, until we meet again.’
* * *
Grace’s arms and legs were heavy as lead as she walked back up the beach. She shivered in the heat of the afternoon. But the sight of Will standing waiting on the terrace made her heart lift.
He opened his arms wide.
‘Come here, you. I was watching from the balcony… You’ve been to say goodbye to him, haven’t you?’
Grace nodded. She couldn’t keep anything from this man. She flew into his arms and laid her head on his chest. She could feel his heart pumping away madly as he stroked her hair. Gently he pushed her out of his embrace.
‘Let’s go back upstairs and talk. It’s time.’
Grace nodded and followed him, all the way to their favourite chairs on the balcony.
Once they were seated, Grace went to speak, but Will leant over and put his finger on her lips.
‘Let me go first, please.’
Grace turned to face him.
‘I need to say it out loud. I love you, Grace. I love you like I’ve never loved any woman. I’ve realised I can’t live without you. And it’s not just because you’ve been bringing me breakfast in bed every morning.’
Grace swallowed back more tears.
‘But seriously, I knew I’d have to wait until you were ready. That there was something stopping you from acknowledging that you– I hoped– felt the same. When I realised that night on the beach that you hadn’t finished grieving for your husband, it all fell into place. I tried to give you some distance, to stay away from you, but I failed miserably.’
Grace looked down at her hands.
‘You drive me crazy, Grace, in both senses of the word. You’re impetuous and you always think you know best. Although I have to admit that you usually do.’
Grace raised her head again and smiled.
‘You’re also the bravest, smartest, funniest and sexiest woman I know– have ever known, I should say. I’ve not been big on commitment in the past, but I’m offering you the rest of my life to do with whatever you want. Yours, and only yours, now and for ever.’
It was all she’d wanted to hear him say, and more, but she still had to make one hundred per cent sure that he meant it.
