Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Maya put out her cigarette and jumped into Gracie’s car.
‘Thanks for giving me a lift, Gracie. I really couldn’t be arsed to cycle today. Hello, Boris.’
Boris barked and put his paws on the back of the seat.
‘No worries, good to have the company.’
They parked up at the common and started a steady jog.
‘So, how did the date go with Eddie boy, then? And more importantly how big is his cock?’
‘Maya Bakova, you are possibly the rudest girl I have ever met.’
‘Possibly?’ Maya laughed. ‘Anyway, tell me. I have to know.’
‘We had a drink in The Goose, that was it. I left early. He seemed a bit twitchy. Not even a kiss goodbye.’
‘And any word since?’
‘Nothing, so I obviously blew it.’
‘Shame you didn’t at least blow it, Gracie. You could do with some action.’
‘I’m not that fussed, to be honest.’
‘Don’t lie; it’s obvious you fancy Ed.’
They sat on their customary bench allowing Maya to have a cigarette and Gracie to admire the daffodils. She wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or not when she heard the familiar sound of a quad bike approaching. She wondered if Ed had some sort of personal CCTV device as he always seemed to appear when they were sitting down.
‘Hey.’ Gracie smiled shyly as Ed turned off the engine and got off the bike.
‘Hey.’
‘It’s good to see…’ Gracie noticed how fit he looked in his tight red T-shirt and black cargo pants.
Ed cut Gracie short. ‘Look, I’m so sorry about rushing off the other night, and then I lost my bloody phone, so I couldn’t get in touch.’
‘Yeah, right,’ Maya uttered under her breath.
‘Yes, right.’ Ed sounded annoyed at Maya’s comment. ‘Got it back this morning. How about I make it up to you and we go out for dinner tomorrow night? My treat.’
‘I… err…’ Gracie screwed up her face.
Maya stepped in. ‘She’d love to, Ed.’
He looked to Gracie for confirmation.
She smiled. ‘OK. Sure, that’ll be lovely.’
‘I could pick you up at seven thirty? Text me your address. Do you like Thai food?’
‘Love it.’ Gracie smiled broadly. ‘Thank you.’
‘Great, I’ll book a table.’
Gracie and Maya headed to the common café, where Keen Kate was sitting outside sipping on a skinny latte. Gracie noticed her beautifully manicured nails and expensive running gear. Maya headed inside to get their drinks.
‘Too fast for you, were we?’ Kate smiled, but Gracie thought there was a sadness behind her eyes.
‘Something like that.’ Gracie sniggered. ‘You OK today? Are you on your own?’
‘Yes, I’m OK. A bit tired, that’s all. Just fancied getting out the house, having a coffee, you know.’
Maybe she was human after all, Gracie thought.
‘Your name’s Gracie, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Margot mentioned that you arrange events?’
Gracie screwed her face up. ‘Margot… remind me.’
‘Long red hair, she was near the back when you did run with us.’
‘That’s right and yes, events is what I do for a living.’
‘I was wondering – well, hoping really – that you might be able to help me with something.’
‘Go on.’ Gracie was intrigued.
‘I’ve just taken over part-ownership of this place. We’ve got a function room behind the café and I think it would be ideal for parties, christenings and things like that. It’s not my forte but I would love to get an events business off the ground. I’m spreading the word to see if anyone wants to partner up.’
Gracie felt a little thrill of excitement go through her. ‘Wow. That’s a surprise… and I am working at the moment, but do you know what? A new challenge is maybe just what I need.’
‘I mean, it can be on a part-time basis if that’s better for you? I was thinking of some kind of arrangement where the other person takes a fifty per cent profit cut from anything they arrange personally. What do you think?’
‘Loving the sound of it.’ Gracie felt her mind already whirring with possibilities. ‘Can I take a look at the room?’
‘Of course. I’ve got an appointment shortly, but I could meet you here in the morning, at say eleven to show you and discuss everything further?’
Gracie checked her work diary quickly. ‘That would be great. It will give me a chance to think things through, too. Thanks so much, Kate. I’ll see you in the morning.’
Just then, Maya reappeared with two Diet Cokes.
‘What was that all about?’
‘A new work proposition, using the function room behind here for events.’
‘That sounds right up your street. If there are toilets, goodness knows what you and young Edward could get up to in there, as well.’
Gracie laughed and shook her head. ‘You’re insatiable, girl. Right, let’s get these down us, I’ve got therapy later, then might whizz out and get a new dress for my night with Mr Duke.’
‘Therapy?’
‘Yes, I used to see a guy at the university. He saw private therapy clients as well as teaching. I thought I’d see him again – it might release a few more demons.’
Maya took a big gulp of Coke. ‘I know a professor who’s a counsellor, as it happens. He’s not called Scott, is he? Tall, willowy, handsome in an older man kind of way.’
‘Yes, that’s right. Scott Princeton. How do you know him?’
‘Oh, I think one of my friends used to go to him, that’s all. Very good, I hear, especially with women.’
‘Well, he’s certainly helped me. So compassionate. And I hadn’t really thought about him being handsome before you just mentioned it… Imagine, handsome, clever and compassionate. Maybe that’s the sort of man I should be looking for. Rather than a gardener who says he lost his phone.’
‘Maybe,’ Maya said nervously. ‘But those academic types are usually useless at normal life and have no common sense.’
‘You’re right. I’ll stick with young Ed for now. He’ll do.’
Maya was disturbed by how relieved she felt.
‘Shag him tonight, Gracie. You need to move on, I reckon.’
‘No, it’s too soon?’ Gracie shook her head.
‘Like you said to me before – you’re not going to marry the guy, so no rules apply.’
Gracie saw Ed arrive and wave at her from across the car park. He really was very gorgeous. Damn Lewis, she had to try and move on. Maya was right, maybe it was time to break her sex drought. And there were certainly worse people she could break it with than the hottie in front of her.