Maddie nodded, unable to speak for a couple of seconds.
‘Yes, a son and a daughter.’
‘Any grandchildren yet?’
Maddie forced a smile.
‘A little girl called Elsie.’
‘So, you know how lovely it is. My new little grandson, Dexter, my eldest daughter’s child, has brought so much to my life.’ Grace’s mouth turned down. ‘And although they live on the other side of the world, we’re making it work. And there’s going to be another baby soon if everything goes well for my other daughter back in England. I can honestly say that four years on, I’m in a totally different place from where I was when Phil died.’
The talk of grandchildren brought tears to Maddie’s eyes, but luckily Grace was staring into the distance. She wasn’t about toadmit to this lovely woman that she’d mucked it up royally with her own granddaughter, but she needed to find a way of telling her friends and soon.
‘I took a chance coming to this island a year ago… I urgently needed something to change in my life.’ Grace’s focus was on her again. ‘I was stuck in the same cycle of grief and anger over Phil leaving me, and nowhere near the acceptance that all the books drone on about.’
Grace could be describing her story. She may have only signed up for a three-week holiday island hopping, but it had made her examine her own life under a microscope.
Maddie nodded her understanding at Grace’s impassioned words.
‘Forcing myself out of my comfort zone has been so good for me in more ways than I could ever imagine. So, if you get the chance to do that, then please take it.’
Grace’s eyes were shining.
‘I never thought I’d find love again, and I certainly wasn’t looking. I was sick and tired of people trying to set me up and telling me it was time to move on.’
‘Yeah, I get that. It’s bloody annoying.’
‘I didn’t even like Will much when we met, but he grew on me.’ Grace couldn’t stop the smile from taking over her whole face. ‘It’s probably too early for you, but don’t discount the possibility of love finding you. He has made me so happy.’
Grace touched her arm.
‘Sorry, how selfish. I shouldn’t be going on about how happy I am in front of you.’
‘No, it’s fine, honestly. I’m genuinely pleased for you. I can’t get my head round it for myself quite yet, but it’s nice to know it’s out there.’
‘It doesn’t need to be a big deal. We’re not talking marriage or even living together. Just some male companionshipoccasionally can be nice. And don’t rule out a holiday romance either. Sof tells me you spent some time with a hunky fisherman on the last island?’
‘Oh my God. I’m going to blush. She’s awful, isn’t she?’
‘But we love her.’
‘We do.’
‘I understand. The first time you do anything, even go on a date, it’s hard, so hard.’
‘Hopefully…’
Maddie gasped.
‘Did I actually say that out loud? I thought it was just in my head.’
Grace nodded, unable to speak for laughing, which set Maddie off too.
Sofia arrived at the table and flopped down between them.
‘What’s so funny?’
Maddie couldn’t meet Grace’s eye.
