Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
G race pulled her hand away and backed out of the bedroom through the open door. She made it to the top of the stairs before he called out to her.
‘Grace. Please let me explain.’
There didn’t seem to be a lot to explain. He’d obviously slept with Celine just two days before their night on the beach. The night she’d believed was so special. The night Will had told her was like no other. But for him, it looked like a case of any port in a storm. If it was on offer, he’d grab it with both hands, literally. She mustn’t let him see how hurt she was.
‘Grace. I beg you. Just give me two minutes. Please. I’d get up and come after you if I could.’
She was torn between running down the stairs and out of the door to the beach, and considering the welfare of the man she’d agreed to look after. If he tried to follow her, he could fall down the steep stone stairs. He’d not gone further than his room, his en suite and the balcony yet. They might not be going anywhere romantically, especially if Celine had anything to do with it, but she’d promised to look after him. She owed it to him to hear him out.
As soon as she hesitated, she was lost. She’d listen to what Will had to say, but anything else was firmly on hold.
Grace took her usual chair next to him. Will tried to hide a smile.
‘You look like a sulky teenager.’
Grace shot up out of the chair.
‘Right, that’s it, I’m going for a swim.’
‘No, I’m sorry, please wait. Give me a moment.’
Grace rearranged her features.
‘I’m listening.’
‘What I was about to say, before you rushed off, is that I got so drunk after you left the party in a hurry…’
‘Ah, you’re blaming it on drink, the easy way out.’
‘No… if you’ll let me finish. I was so drunk that at some point I must have crawled upstairs to bed. When I woke up, Celine was in the bed with me.’
Grace gave him an ‘I’ve heard this one before’ look.
‘Oh, poor little you, having an attractive Frenchwoman in the bed beside you, all primed and ready to go.’
Why had her voice gone up two octaves in the space of a sentence?
‘Look, I didn’t invite her into my bed, I didn’t want her there, and absolutely nothing happened as I called her a cab and asked her to leave.’
Will’s voice now held a touch of anger.
‘Absolutely nothing? Not even some snogging?’
She not only apparently looked like a teenager but sounded like one now.
‘No, not even some “snogging”.’
That grin needed to be wiped off Will’s face somehow. But before she could fire back, he took her hands in his, so she was forced to face him.
‘The only person I wanted in my bed that night was you…’ Will gave her a look that travelled all the way through her body, ‘But you weren’t available. Now do you believe me?’
Grace thought about it. She actually did believe him. She’d seen how conniving Celine could be. The woman was desperate. But did she trust him? That was the bigger question. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. Celine had obviously thought that she’d still be welcome in Will’s bed. Something or someone must have given her that idea.
‘I’m thinking about it.’
Will sighed. ‘Just now I repeated what I said to her that morning, that I didn’t see a future with her, and that she had to stop giving people the impression we were still together.’
No wonder the woman had been on the verge of tears. Grace started to feel some sympathy for her. Only a little, because of the way Celine had behaved. But to have had Will in the palm of one’s hand and then to have lost him would be tough to get over. It was almost better not to get involved in the first place.
‘I see. Poor woman. Having anything to do with you is obviously dangerous.’
‘It doesn’t have to be.’
He was giving her that look again. But she needed time to think. For once, she wasn’t going to rush in all guns blazing and make a decision that she’d up end regretting. This might be the most important decision she had to make for the rest of her life. Grace plastered on a jolly smile.
‘I’m hungry. What do you fancy for lunch? There’s some spinach pie and salad left over from yesterday.’
Will’s employers had arranged for homemade meals to be delivered from the grandma’s cooking place in town fresh each day, so that she didn’t have to worry about cooking as well, which was a relief.
‘Yeah, sounds fine.’
Grace could hear the disappointment in his voice.
* * *
By the weekend Will was strong enough to make it downstairs and onto the terrace in the afternoons, leaning on her arm. He still spent every morning in bed, but Grace felt confident enough now to leave him and go for long swims. The temperature was still in the late twenties during the day, and it only dropped by a few degrees at night. She was barely out of a bikini and a sarong unless they had visitors.
Those she was monitoring very carefully. Angeliki and Nick were welcome any time, because she could see how much Will enjoyed their company, and luckily Celine hadn’t dared show her face again.
Grace had had her own visitors, when Charlie, Sarah and Buster had turned up one morning, once they realised where she was staying. Charlie had taken over her lessons and filled her in on Irene’s progress, plus that of Stelios and his parents. He was also surprised at how far Nick had come on in such a short space of time. Having a girlfriend who was fluent in English was obviously the key to unlocking the businessman’s potential.
The three of them spent ages playing with Karen, throwing little balls for her and pulling her onto their laps for long strokes. Grace had been worried that Buster would be jealous and go for the kitten, but he was as gentle as a lamb.
Grace was sad to see them leave, as she might not see them again for quite some time. She only had a week left on the island, and a decision about the next step was looming fast. These lazy days with Will would come to an end before she knew it. She hoped he’d be well enough to cope on his own if she went back to England, or with a little help, as long as that help wasn’t coming from Celine.
Not that it would be any of her business who was looking after him if she decided to leave. They’d kept things light ever since the Frenchwoman’s visit, but Grace wasn’t getting much rest these days. Being across the corridor from Will wasn’t exactly conducive to a good night’s sleep. She’d been awake most of last night.
A snooze on the terrace in the afternoon heat would do them both good. Before she closed her eyes, Grace noticed that Will was already well away.
The sound of a car on the road above pulled her out of a dream in which a dark-haired man had gathered her up in his arms and was about to kiss her.
Grace reached for the robe she kept hanging up behind the table and went to investigate. A sleek black BMW had stopped, and she was surprised to see Elena, and a well-dressed man she didn’t recognise, get out of the car.
She shook her sleeping beauty awake.
‘Will!’
‘What?’
‘Someone’s coming down the path. It’s my boss and a man I don’t know.’
She grabbed the T-shirt that she kept nearby for Will.
‘Here. Put this on.’
Will pulled it over his head and Grace helped to arrange it around his torso, resisting the urge to stroke the soft hairs on his stomach.
The couple was getting closer. Their faces were now in full view. Will leant forward.
‘Ah, it’s my boss too.’
‘I knew they knew each other, but why have they come together?’
‘I think we’re about to find out.’
Grace vacated her seat, and indicated for the man, who introduced himself as Panos, to take it. He’d obviously got something important to say to Will. She and Elena could sit inside.
Elena was already at the kitchen door. Grace looked from her to Panos.
‘Can I get you both a coffee?’
Elena shook her head.
‘No, we’ve just had coffee, thank you. I’d like to talk to you, in private. Can we go inside?’
‘Sure.’
Grace left Will and his boss on the terrace and pulled out a chair for Elena at Will’s blue dining table.
Elena stumbled on her words for a moment.
‘Grace… you have been so kind to me. I never really thanked you properly for what you did. I didn’t want Panos to hear our conversation, as he has no idea what went on.’
Grace nodded. She’d always suspected there was a nice woman hidden somewhere under the layers of convention and money.
‘It’s nothing, honestly.’
Elena put her hand on her arm.
‘No, you were brave. You took a risk and told me the truth. Not many people would have done that and put their own position in danger.’
Grace looked down at Elena’s loose white linen dress embroidered with tiny daisies. The baby bump was definitely visible. Elena stroked her stomach before speaking again.
‘The baby is kicking all the time now. We’re so excited about what’s to come. And we have you to thank for pushing us into facing up to our problems.’
Grace tried to bat the compliment away with her hand, but Elena locked eyes with her.
‘I love Giannis, for better or worse, and if you love someone, you must be prepared to take risks.’
Elena stared out at the terrace for a moment.
‘Don’t let true love slip through your fingers. It’s a rare and precious thing.’
Grace wasn’t quite sure what this all had to do with her.
‘Panos is out there with a proposal for Will. He is extremely grateful to him for putting his life on the line. And Giannis and I are grateful to you, Grace, for putting our lives back on track. If you decide you want to stay on the island and make a life here…’ Elena looked back at the terrace again. ‘We would be happy to offer you a full-time or indeed part-time job and sponsor your visa.’
Grace didn’t know what to say.
‘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.
Lottie and Brad pulled out the first slice of cake. Grace could clearly see the blue sponge inside. Lottie held it up in the air.
‘It’s a boy! We’re having a boy!’
Grace had a little tear as the couple danced around together and hugged everyone present. She looked up to the sky and blew a kiss.
‘Now we know, Phil. It’s a boy, a little grandson.’
‘Mum? Mum, are you there? And Flo?’
The screen had switched to a three-person call.
‘Yes, darling, I’m here.’
‘Me too, sis.’
Lottie’s face was wreathed in smiles.
‘Did you see? It’s a boy! I’m having a boy. Dad would have loved to have had one of those in the house to stop us ganging up on him, wouldn’t he?’
‘He would, sweetheart.’
Grace was able to talk much more normally about Phil now without being overwhelmed by the gut-wrenching grief she’d felt in the first couple of years following his death. Greece had certainly helped with that.
After some more baby talk, Grace noticed Flo’s eyes narrowing.
‘Where are you, Mum? That doesn’t look like your room.’
‘It’s a long story, sweetheart. I’m helping out a friend who’s unwell.’
At that moment, Will appeared behind her on the stairs, with just a towel wrapped round his waist. Oh, great. She hadn’t realised that the angle she’d chosen allowed watchers to see that far.
Lottie let out a low whistle.
‘And who…. is that?’
‘That’s the friend I was telling you about.’
Flo was chiming in now.
‘Some friend. You were giving us the impression it was a little old lady… And you’ve gone red.’
‘Yes, Mum, you’ve obviously got plenty to tell us.’
Grace put on her best schoolteacher voice.
‘Lottie, you need to get back to your guests. I will explain everything to both of you tomorrow, I swear. I’ll set up another call for the three of us, but for now I have to go. I love you both very much.’
Go, Mum were the words still echoing in Grace’s ears as she switched off the computer. She could hear Will moving around upstairs.
‘Grace? Are you coming up? I’m still waiting…’
‘Just give me a couple of minutes. There’s something I’ve got to do first.’
‘Do you want any help?’
‘No, thanks. It’s something I need to do on my own.’
It had been seeing the girls that had helped her slot in the last piece of the jigsaw.