‘Scout’s honour.’
Grace giggled, which earnt her a funny look from her friend. Two large glasses of wine in the afternoon could do that to her.
Karen purred away like a tiny motor when Grace transferred her from the cage to the carrier.
‘See, she loves me.’
Angeliki looked between them.
‘It’s more important that she loves Will, unless you’re planning to move in as well.’
Grace attempted a laugh, which had both of them staring at her.
‘Ha-ha. Of course not. But I will be visiting regularly to make sure she’s properly looked after.’
Will put his hands on his hips.
‘How dare you suggest that I will fall short in any way!’
‘Well, you certainly need a few lessons in pet care, from what you were saying earlier.’
Angeliki shut the cage door with a bang.
‘Anyway, you two, I’m sure you’ve got things to be getting on with. I’ve got a date in…’ Angeliki glanced at the clock. ‘Fifteen minutes.’
Grace stroked the fabric of Angeliki’s orange linen dress.
‘I thought you were looking smarter than usual.’
‘Charming. I come all this way to help you…’
Grace silenced her friend with a hug.
‘Is it with Nick?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oooh, how exciting.’
‘Well, if I don’t get there, I’ll never know.’
Will picked up the carrier and blew a kiss at Karen cowering inside.
‘Thanks, Angeliki. Will she be OK on the boat? I’ve got to drive it back to the cove.’
‘She won’t break. As long as Grace can hold her steady.’
Grace waved her hand in the air. It would be a breeze compared to the rescue on the motorbike.
‘No problem. So, coffee update in my lesson break tomorrow? Yes?’
‘OK.’ Angeliki directed a look at Will. ‘It seems we have something to discuss.’
Grace gave her friend her best puzzled look and headed for the door.
The journey back was as gentle as the way there. Grace kept Karen entertained with little bits of a serviette she had in her bag and was rewarded with plenty of purring.
It really had been a glorious afternoon on the water. Consigning boats to being part of Phil’s world and not hers had been shortsighted. And her world didn’t need to be divided up like that anymore. It had taken her this long to realise it.
