by Laura Ziepe
That had certainly been enough to start the diet! She knew his intention hadn’t been to offend her, he was just telling her the truth, even if it had hurt a little.
She was brought back to the present as she saw Simon walking back with their drinks. If things just stayed like this between them, it would be perfect and Grace had never felt happier; it was really just like the beginning of their relationship. But if Grace allowed Simon to move back in, would things go back to how they were? She was worried to take the chance. The thought of Simon treating her how he had just before she’d left her filled her with dread and panic. This Simon in front of her was the one she loved. He looked at her like she was special, precious even. She could tell he loved her again. Appreciated being with her. How had he changed so much so soon? Clearly the thought of losing her for good had been what he needed and Grace was pleased. Things were all surprisingly working out.
After a few more drinks, Simon stood up. ‘Where shall we go now?’
This was the part where Grace just wished things were back to normal. She’d love nothing more than to go home and open a bottle of wine to drink watching a nice Christmas film. Instead they’d have to part ways, and the more Grace was seeing Simon again, the more she was hating their goodbyes. As much as she loved Rachel, perhaps she’d been a bit hasty in moving her into her house? If she lived alone still, then Simon could come back, and no one would be any the wiser that she was seeing him again.
‘I don’t know. I don’t really want to go for another drink anywhere and it’s too late to go to the cinema or anything like that.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ Simon said thoughtfully, ‘I’m not sure where to suggest either.’ Then his eyes lit up. ‘I have an idea,’ he said, his voice rising. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the exit.
‘What? Where are we going?’ Grace asked, laughing lightly, confused by his eagerness to get her out into the cold.
‘Carol singing,’ he laughed, pulling her along.
Grace couldn’t hide how horrified she felt at the suggestion. ‘Oh no you don’t,’ she said, pulling her arm back. ‘You know I can’t sing. And it’s too cold; I don’t even have a hat or gloves. I can’t walk in these heels.’
‘Excuses, excuses Mrs Chapman,’ he smiled amusedly. ‘You told me the fun had gone out of our relationship, but who’s the party pooper now?’
Grace smirked. She was a little tipsy and Simon was right. She wanted him to be spontaneous like before, so how could she now be the boring, dull one? ‘Okay Mr Chapman,’ she said more confidently than she felt. ‘You’re on.’ She took his hand and they walked to the first door. The lights were on and Grace knew it was just her luck that they were going to answer.
A middle-aged lady opened the door with a look of surprise when she saw the two of them standing there.
‘Can I help you?’ she enquired, her eyes as thin as slits as she looked at them with suspicion.
‘No, but I think we can help you,’ Grace giggled and Simon joined in. ‘We wish you a merry Christmas after three. One, two, three…’
They burst into song and Grace had to stop herself from exploding into fits of laughter several times, especially as she sang her off-key notes so loud and proud. The lady stood in front of them with a face like thunder as they sang, her arms folded across her chest. Then, as Simon switched songs to Holy Night and Grace sang completely out of tune, she really did begin to laugh and in a matter of seconds it was uncontrollable, a real belly laugh with tears streaming down her face. Simon suddenly bent over, unable to stand up through his laughter. No sooner had they stopped laughing and caught each other’s eye, they started again, Grace even snorting, which made her laugh more.
‘Well, was that it?’ the lady questioned, her hands now on her hips. ‘I do hope you’re not expecting any money for that nonsense?’
‘No,’ Grace replied breathlessly in between laughing, ‘but we do wish you a Merry Christmas.’
The lady raised an eyebrow as though they’d both gone insane. ‘Right. And to you too,’ she said, before closing the door.
‘I cannot believe we just did that,’ Grace said, her voice croaky from so much laughter as she wiped her eyes.
‘Oh my God, that was hilarious. Your voice, Grace,’ Simon laughed again wholeheartedly, ‘I’d forgotten how bad it was.’
They walked hand in hand, not needing to say they were heading back to Simon’s car. They didn’t need to ruin and disturb someone else’s night with their hideous singing voices.
‘I don’t want to leave you,’ Simon said yet again, sounding despondent suddenly. ‘Why don’t I just come back to the house for a bit? I won’t stay the night if you don’t want me to.’
Grace gulped, not wanting to disappoint him. This was becoming a routine every time they met; he would ask to stay and she would say no. She hated repeating her issues with the idea of him coming back. Rachel had just had the most terrible day and Grace knew it was important to go home alone tonight and at least sit with her for a while to talk about it. Besides, she wasn’t ready to tell her friends about Simon yet, and she knew it was starting to upset him. She could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice that he wasn’t enjoying being a secret.
‘Simon, I can’t,’ she sniffed as they reached his car. ‘Rachel is there. She’s really upset and I told you before…’
‘She doesn’t know about us,’ Simon cut in rather abruptly, as though he was bored of hearing the same old story.
‘Well yes. I don’t want to announce to the world we’re seeing each other just yet. I’m sorry,’ she blinked several times wishing he would understand where she was coming from.
He gave a gusty sigh. ‘I just don’t see when though, Grace. When can we start just living normal lives again? It won’t be the same as it was before, I swear to you. I would never, ever risk losing you again; you mean the absolute world to me. I’m nothing without you. I just want to live together again and get on with our lives. I hate it like this. I don’t like the sneaking around and having to park up the road just in case Rachel sees me outside. I hate not having you in my bed every evening. I really don’t care what your friends think. I only care about you. I need to know if you’re willing to let me back and give me another chance. I can’t live like this anymore.’
Grace’s brow knitted. She didn’t like feeling under pressure. She guessed Simon wasn’t used to her saying ‘no’ to things. She was usually so laidback and easygoing that she let him make decisions about everything. He could usually persuade her to do something in a heartbeat. But not this. Of course, she understood everything that Simon was saying, but it was up to her whether she wanted him back for good or not. She was going to make the decision when she was ready. What on earth was she supposed to say to Rachel anyhow? She’d only just moved in for Christ’s sake and Grace was going to feel incredibly guilty. ‘I don’t know why you can’t just be happy with how things are at the moment, Simon. I’m giving you a chance, aren’t I? Why can’t you be happy with that? I wanted to take things slow. You told me we would and now there just seems to be a huge rush about moving back in and going back to normal.’
Simon closed his eyes momentarily as they stopped at some traffic lights. ‘Of course I’m happy to have another chance, Grace. I’m over the moon I haven’t lost you like I thought I had, but you can’t blame me for getting frustrated that I can’t even come to your Christmas ball. I just worry, that’s all. I want people to know we’re back together. I want them to know you have a husband who adores you; I don’t like the thought of people thinking you’re single. Sorry if that comes across as jealous, but perhaps I am a little? I just want to be included in your life again, that’s all. All parts of it.’
Grace looked up at him in adoration and put her hand on his knee and squeezed it. ‘Soon, Simon. I promise you I’ll tell everyone soon. Just give me a bit more time.’
He nodded, looking satisfied.
‘So obviously you can’t come back to the hous
e and I don’t want to go to your cousin’s either,’ she stated, ‘but that doesn’t stop us having a little bit of fun in here, does it? There’s loads of quiet roads at this time of night,’ she said seductively, her head swivelling round. ‘And plenty of room in the back.’
Simon raised both eyebrows and put his foot down on the accelerator. ‘I know just the place.’
Chapter 25
Rachel ignored Nick’s phone call as she watched his name flashing across her mobile for the fourth time that night. Go away, she thought furiously, go back to your wife and child. She still couldn’t get the sight of the three of them out of her mind. It was all she could think of. That, and how stupid she’d been to trust another man so quickly. She had been destined to get hurt sleeping with him so soon. This was the reason why she didn’t do things like that. You usually only ever got hurt. No good ever came out of it. She had to admit it was tempting to just answer the phone and hurl abuse at him, and her finger hovered over the answer button as she imagined all the things she would say. But it was much more satisfying to leave him in the lurch and make him wonder what it was that he had done wrong. He clearly wanted to have this affair with her quite badly, having called four times and sent two text messages. He must have liked her in some way, a small comfort in the grand scheme of things. She slurped her white wine noisily, relieved when she heard the front door opening meaning Grace was finally home.
‘Hey,’ Grace beamed walking through the door. ‘It’s nice to get in from the cold. It’s freezing outside.’
‘How was it? Did you have a lovely night? You look really happy,’ Rachel pointed out, noticing her rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes and really glad that one of them was.
‘Oh, you know. It was nice. We went for dinner first and then to a pub for some drinks. I had a good night,’ she replied, the smile not leaving her face.
‘I’m so pleased for you, Grace. I think this one is the one, you know. I haven’t seen you this in love in years. When do we get to meet him? I’m dying to know what he’s like.’
‘Soon I guess,’ Grace said in non-committal tones.
‘Well, make sure we do. We need to check he’s good enough for you and not just like Simon,’ Rachel told her caringly. ‘Wine?’
Grace sat on the sofa and kicked her shoes off. ‘You know what, I’ve actually had enough for one night. I’m tired,’ she yawned, stretching out on the sofa. ‘Has he called you?’
‘Four missed calls and two text messages,’ Rachel replied pursing her lips. ‘I haven’t answered him,’ she said feeling proud of herself.
Grace’s brow knitted. ‘No, you’re doing the right thing. Don’t even give him the satisfaction of knowing that you care. I wonder where he goes to make his calls to you? He must have to go into another room or leave the house in case his wife or son overhears. Seriously, some people really don’t deserve a family; it’s amazing what extent they go to, to cheat and lie, isn’t it?’
‘Maybe I just attract cheats?’ Rachel wondered hopelessly staring into space. The wine was definitely making her a bit lightheaded and when she went to pour herself another glass she realized she’d actually drunk the whole bottle. ‘Maybe I’m just always going to have this problem?’
‘Don’t be so ridiculous,’ Grace tutted. ‘You’ll meet the right person when the time is right.’
‘I know, I know. Maybe after my last two situations, I won’t want to meet anybody else? I think for now I should spend some time alone. Maybe I should go away next year and do a bit of travelling. Really find myself. I’m sure Amber will be jetting away somewhere; I’ll go with her.’
‘Sounds like a good idea,’ Grace smiled widely. ‘Sometimes you just can’t plan what life throws at you and you’ve just had some bad luck. Take it easy on yourself,’ Grace said, adopting a sympathetic smile.
Rachel sighed. ‘I’m trying to be more relaxed like you. I thought I liked Nick, but I promise I’ll pick myself up again and just forget about him.’ She licked her lips tasting the wine, looking down to notice an empty glass. ‘I may just open another bottle. I won’t drink the whole thing, but I fancy another glass,’ she felt the need to explain.
‘Hey, you go for it,’ Grace gave a tiny giggle, ‘I would normally be joining you if I didn’t feel so tired. Do you mind if I call it a night? Are you certain you’re okay?’
Rachel flapped her hand in Grace’s direction. ‘Of course, you go. I probably won’t be up for much longer and yes, I’m fine. It’s not like I’ve been seeing Nick for long; I’ll just have to put it all down to a bad experience,’ she said nonchalantly, standing up to get a bottle of wine from the kitchen.
Rachel poured herself a large glass, unable to prevent herself going over the last date with Nick. He’d been so charming and funny and since that night, Rachel had somehow allowed herself to imagine a future with him. She knew it was soon, but it wasn’t completely unheard of to know someone was important so quickly, was it? Nick was handsome and successful and most of all, he’d made it very clear he was interested in her.
She recalled the moment after they’d finished dinner and she’d placed her purse on the table about to offer to pay half the bill. He’d looked at her as though he’d wanted to laugh.
‘You’re not paying Rachel, so please put your purse away, as lovely as it is,’ he’d said, gazing at her in amusement, his mouth twitching.
She’d chortled then. It was an old purse and the zip was broken. The black leather had started to fade in places making it appear ancient, which Rachel guessed it probably was. ‘Thanks. You’re sure?’ she checked gratefully. She and Mark had always gone fifty-fifty with everything. She wasn’t even sure he’d paid for her the first time they’d gone on a date. It made a nice change and Rachel appreciated it.
He’d stared at her with unwavering, intense eyes. ‘I’m certain. I like you Rachel,’ he’d told her in a soft voice as he handed the bill and money to the waiter. ‘I like you a lot. There’s something about you,’ he said, as if he was trying to work out what it was.
‘I like you too,’ Rachel had replied bashfully, her eyes aglow with delight.
Now here she was in the lounge, jumping as she almost nodded off, her wine swaying back and forth in the glass she was holding. She looked at the time, surprised to see it was now nearly one in the morning. She’d been sitting there longer than she realized and had drunk half the bottle of white wine. She groaned, knowing she was going to pay for it in the morning. She looked at her phone and read Nick’s last text message again.
Hey, what’s going on? Are you okay? Are we still meeting tonight? I’ve tried calling you several times but no answer. Let me know when you get this.
Nick x
Perhaps Nick needed a piece of her mind. Maybe she’d been wrong to just ignore him. He deserved to be pulled up on the appalling way he’d not only treated her, but his family too. Who did Nick think he was, she wondered heatedly, feeling a sudden urge to shout at him and tell him how enraged she was. She dialled his number, her vision slightly blurring as she stared at the coffee table in the centre of the lounge and waited. The phone clicked through to voicemail and she waited for the beep.
‘Hi Nick, if that’s even your name,’ she slurred her words as she spoke. ‘God knows what other lies you’ve told me. It’s Rachel, the girl you said you liked. The one you’ve called four times this evening, just in case you have multiple women on the go.’ She stood up as she spoke, but felt a little dizzy so sat back down on the sofa again. ‘The reason I’m calling is just to tell you why I didn’t want to meet tonight. The thing is, Nick, I know all about your wife and son. I saw the three of you together at the school play. I think you failed to mention you were married, didn’t you?’ she said curtly. ‘Just a slight problem there, because I don’t date married men. I will not be a home wrecker!’ she burst out, breaking off and breathing hard. ‘So stop calling me and leave me the hell alone. I’m not interested and I won’t be lied to anymore by arseholes like you. I was ri
ght about you the first time we met; you really are a dick. So just go back to your wife and your son, who by the way is really cute.’ She breathed in deeply. ‘It’s Rachel by the way in case you don’t know what girl is calling.’ She hung up the phone, feeling she may have just repeated herself a lot, but unsure due to her fuzzy wine brain. She cringed, despite being well and truly drunk, hobbled up the stairs and got into bed, dreading how she was going to feel in the morning.
By Monday, Rachel had started to feel a little better about the situation. Nick had called several more times the day before, and each time he rang and Rachel ignored it again, it made her feel a little stronger. She felt embarrassed when she recalled leaving the voicemail on Saturday night when she’d got drunk and was almost thankful she couldn’t remember what she’d said. It didn’t matter anymore, did it? The fact was that Nick was married with a child and she had no choice but to move on and forget about him. She planned to go out as much as possible and make plans for the New Year focusing on herself. She’d been browsing bootcamps in Portugal for next May and was even looking at ways to further her career in make-up and beauty by taking some new night courses.
She walked through to the Pop Cosmetics department with Grace, noticing that Amber was already there. She looked just as morose as Rachel had been feeling on Saturday and Rachel instantly knew that something was up.
‘Hey, how was your weekend?’ Grace asked, shooting Rachel a concerned expression.
Amber sighed. ‘You won’t believe what happened,’ she said in a small, pained voice as though someone was squeezing her throat. ‘Not only did Natalya show up at dinner on Friday, ruining yet another night…’
