Chapter 51
FIFTY-ONE
Gracie sat drinking tea with Noms at the kitchen table. Boris was sleeping soundly at their feet. Jack was at a friend’s house.
‘Feeling better?’ Noms enquired lovingly.
‘Do you think I overreacted?’ Gracie groaned.
‘He was just talking to the girl, but I’m with you on the gut-feeling thing. Has he contacted you since he asked where you’d gone?’
‘Yes. He said that he was sorry he had made me feel that way and to get on the train back down there, but that was it. I can’t believe he’s staying down there on his own. The “friends”’ – Gracie made her fingers into inverted commas – ‘were only around for the weekend, supposedly.’
‘He might come back early, you don’t know,’ Naomi said lightly.
‘Maybe, but he does love his windsurfing, and he hasn’t had a holiday for ages because he was waiting for his court date.’
‘Well, you can cut him some slack for that then, poor bastard. He must be under such stress.’
‘I know. But it wasn’t just the girl thing, it was everything. I don’t think he’s the man for me, Noms. I need someone who cares a little bit more. Someone a bit more thoughtful.’ Gracie sighed loudly.
‘We both know men don’t think like us, though, Grace. He probably won’t even realise why you’re upset.’
‘Well, that’s no excuse. He should have taken my feelings into consideration – and more importantly, I didn’t like the way it made me feel.’
‘OK, I get that.’ Noms got up and opened a packet of chocolate digestives.
Gracie took the one offered. ‘If somebody can upset me after such a short time together, well then, I can’t see a future in it. A good relationship is about being happy, not about feeling hurt and sad. And if I’m totally honest, the rape thing… well, that’s also been on my mind.’
‘I didn’t think you doubted him for one minute about that.’ Noms wiped crumbs from her mouth with her hand.
‘I didn’t – I don’t, but the fact that it’s going to trial, well something untoward could have happened, is my thinking.’
‘Oh, I don’t know, Grace. Truthfully, though, it has been worrying me a bit, too.’
‘He was so kind when I fell over, and in bed he has been nothing but gentle with me. He’s not a bad person, I know that. But I saw a different side to him this weekend.’
‘Well, maybe see what happens when he comes back.’
‘I don’t think he’ll want to see me. Men can’t deal with irrational women at the best of times.’
‘We are all irrational, my sweet little sister. If he likes you enough, he’ll be back. They all come back in the end. They realise how good they really had it. The amount of times I’ve had exes knocking on my door.’
‘And they think we’re complicated! Shit!’
‘What’s the matter, Grace?’ Noms looked concerned.
‘I forgot to tell you. Lewis has been in hospital. He had a car accident and broke his arm.’
‘Oh, that’s no good.’
‘He left me the sweetest message saying that he still missed me.’
‘Of course he still misses you. Who wouldn’t. Did you respond?’
‘I sent a text wishing him a quick recovery. Do you know what, though? Sitting looking out to sea when Ed upset me, I realised just how much Lewis and I did have. How deep our love and relationship was. He’s not bad man either, Noms.’
‘I know that. I’ve known him as long as you. I miss him in a way, too. Seven years is a long time.’
‘I’m thinking about meeting him. Just for a coffee, a chat.’
‘Do you think that’s wise? I mean, last time you met him for a chat the poor bloke ended up on his knees in the street proposing to you. You have to be fair.’
‘It’s probably not wise at all. But I don’t know if I can let go of him completely. Maybe we can just be friends for now, at least.’
‘I think that will be hard. You should think seriously about it. Maybe take some time out from men. Listen to the professor and get Gracie Davies back on track.’
‘Maybe.’ She stood up and stretched. ‘I’m so tired after that train journey, I’m going to go and have a lie-down.’
Gracie lay on her bed deep in thought. If somebody asked her now who she would like to walk around the corner, she knew exactly who it would be.