by Laura Ziepe
‘Wow, very Christmassy; I’m impressed,’ Rachel noted as she walked into the room.
They found Amber propped up at the bar with three glasses of Kir Royale.
‘Cheers girls,’ she smiled widely, handing them their drinks as they approached her. ‘I haven’t been here long luckily. I’m glad to see we all stuck to our word and are each other’s dates. It’s couples galore everywhere,’ she pointed out with a quick roll of her grey eyes, looking round the room.
Grace looked at the floor guiltily and quickly checked her phone. No message from Simon. She felt half relieved and half disappointed that he wasn’t going to make an appearance at least for a few hours.
‘So how are you feeling about Jack now?’ Rachel asked Amber. ‘Have you heard from him?’
‘Nope, not a word,’ Amber said, her chin held high to show she didn’t care, but Grace could see from her glistening eyes how much she was hurting deep down. It was obvious that Amber was just putting on a brave face. ‘I don’t expect to either. I just have to face it; I told Jack that I loved him and he didn’t say it back to me. He’s in love with Natalya and I’m too late. I have to just move on. Get over it. Plenty of people find that their love is unrequited; I’m not the first and I certainly won’t be the last. I’m a big girl now and I can take it.’
‘Of course, you’ll be fine. It’s okay to be sad about it though you know,’ Grace said gently, squeezing her arm softly.
‘Not tonight girls,’ Amber replied, looking as though she was forcing herself to be ebullient. ‘Tonight is all about us having fun. Here’s to being single at Christmas,’ she said in cheerful tones. Grace noticed her smile was strained though.
They clinked glasses together, Grace feeling more dreadful by the second. Perhaps she should text Simon that it wasn’t a good idea to come after all? He still hadn’t replied though so there was probably no need. Besides, it would only appear strange if she now asked him not to come. Imagine if he had already left? She would be making things worse than they already were. She had no choice but to leave it.
‘Perhaps we should do some shots?’ Grace suggested, getting into the spirit. She might need them if Simon showed up. Amber nodded, picking up a drinks menu and Grace looked at Rachel who looked somewhat distracted. ‘Up for it?’
‘Mm? Yes, of course.’ Her eyes danced round the room. ‘Shots sounds great, you know me.’
They downed several shots at the bar, laughing at each other’s grimaces as they did so.
‘Let’s dance!’ Amber declared energetically. She was always the first one on the dancefloor and pulled Grace’s arm, who in turn pulled Rachel’s. If Grace was being dragged to the dancefloor, then so was Rachel.
‘Oh really?’ Rachel moaned dubiously as they reached the empty floor. ‘You know I can’t dance. I would have planned some moves if I’d had known.’
‘Just relax!’ Grace laughed at Rachel’s stiff routine of moving from side to side.
Amber found it hilarious and starting swinging Rachel round, making them burst into fits of laughter.
‘I’m proud of you both,’ Amber stated loudly over the music.
The song stopped and another started which they weren’t familiar with so they shrugged at each other and walked over to three empty chairs, Grace and Rachel sitting either side of Amber.
‘Proud?’ Grace repeated.
‘Yes,’ Amber nodded, her eyes glistening. ‘You’ve both been through a hard time and come out the other side. Grace, I admire how brave you were to realize you weren’t happy and actually do something about it. Just imagine how many people remain in unhappy marriages, plodding along in life? But you didn’t. You made a change to stop it heading that way. It’s a brave thing to do.’
Grace nodded. What Amber was saying was true. She was also glad she’d made a stand and done something about her relationship. Otherwise Simon might never have changed. It had been a risk splitting up with him, but one that Grace knew she had to take. She would hands down have rather been alone than with Simon the way he was before.
‘I think being single has made me realize how important friendships are,’ Grace announced, looking back over the past few months. ‘I can’t thank you girls enough for being there to support me, and if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s actually that we need to continue our nights out together. Whatever happens in the future, girl time is a must.’
‘That’s the best thing I’ve heard you say in ages,’ Amber grinned looking pleased. ‘Rachel, you too have been amazing. You handled what happened with Mark and Bianca with dignity and maturity. I’m not so sure I could have done the same. Honestly, you’re so strong.’
Grace nodded. ‘She’s right, Rachel, you really are strong. You’ve also always been so meticulous at planning everything in your life and since you’ve split with Mark, I think I’ve noticed a change in you. You seem to have mellowed slightly, don’t you think? Maybe not with cleaning and keeping up to date with your washing—’ she laughed good-humouredly, thinking how tidy and organized Rachel was to live with ‘—but generally speaking.’
Rachel smiled at her friends widely. ‘Thanks, and yes, I guess I’ve just realized that things don’t always turn out how you think, but that’s okay. I’ve learned that it’s a bonus to have someone to share your life with, but it’s not a necessity. So long as I have you two and my other friends and family, then I’ll be okay. I’ve enjoyed dating so much more than I thought I would. I know I haven’t been out with tons of people, but still. The not knowing what’s going to happen and who I may meet. Getting dressed up for a date and feeling nerves again, it’s exciting. It makes me realize that what I had with Mark wasn’t passionate or enthralling. Sparks didn’t fly. I just thought he was a safe bet. I loved going out with you two as well. I can’t thank you enough for being there for me either; I honestly don’t think I could have done it without you,’ she said, getting teary.
‘Don’t cry, you’ll start me blubbering.’ Amber flapped her hand in Rachel’s direction. ‘And these false lashes certainly don’t need tears to start making the glue come off tonight. Let’s all get a drink and cheers to us. To being single at the best time of year. Even though I know that Grace is probably getting quite serious with Steve and perhaps doesn’t count.’
Grace just smiled, unsure how to answer.
‘In fact, before we get that drink we need to dance again. I love this song!’
Grace rolled her eyes at Rachel good-naturedly as they waltzed back over to the dancefloor behind Amber.
Thirty minutes later they were standing by the bar.
‘What’s up with you?’ Amber asked Rachel curiously. ‘You seem to be in another world.’
‘Me?’ Rachel replied, her mouth twitching apprehensively and her eyes darting from the entrance and then back to them. ‘What makes you say that? I’m fine. All good. Nothing new to report here. Nothing new at all.’
Grace frowned at her wondering once more what was up, before Amber’s eyes grew wider.
‘Hey, is that Nick? What on earth is he doing here?’ she wondered in bewilderment. ‘Seems you have a stalker, Rachel,’ she snorted. ‘He must have given your name on the door to be allowed in; who actually does that when they haven’t been invited?’
Rachel looked abashed and Grace instantly knew that Nick wasn’t a stalker at all. Her tense expression said it all: Rachel had planned for Nick to come.
‘Oh yes,’ Rachel said in a wan, shaky, voice looking disconcerted. Her gaze flew from Grace to Amber before she closed them quickly and took a deep breath. ‘Okay, so there’s something I have to tell you…’
‘Why on earth is he here?’ Amber said in exasperation. ‘Doesn’t the man have any pride to just turn up uninvited and ruin your Christmas ball?’ She looked incandescent as she narrowed her eyes in Nick’s direction who was looking round, obviously trying to find Rachel.
‘Me and Nick are giving things a go,’ Rachel said quickly. ‘I was going to tell you both. I was supp
osed to tell you when I got here but it seemed to be really fun it being just the three of us, Amber, I didn’t want to admit I’d broken our pact.’
‘But he’s married?’ Grace reminded her, wrinkling her nose at the thought of Rachel happily taking part in an affair. Her mouth pressed into a hard line. How could Rachel take him back?
‘It’s a long story,’ Rachel said.
‘Rachel, an affair ruined my parents’ relationship. It’s the reason I haven’t seen my father since I was five up until now. How can you have forgiven him? Are you mad?’ Amber was horrified.
‘It’s not what you think,’ Rachel replied defensively. ‘They’ve separated. They’re no longer together; he hasn’t been with Claire for over a year.’
Grace was astonished and pleased at the same time. This was good news. Rachel hadn’t been caught up in someone else’s marriage after all. Perhaps she would find happiness in love? She really did deserve some luck, and as she watched Nick’s eyes light up as he walked over to Rachel, she had a good feeling about it. He looked her up and down in awe and kissed her lightly on the lips before turning to them.
‘Good evening girls. Nice to meet you both; Rachel has told me lots about you. You all look stunning this evening,’ he said genuinely.
Rachel couldn’t stop smiling at him; she looked over the moon at his arrival and Grace was really pleased for her.
‘Nice to meet you too, Nick,’ Grace shot him a welcoming smile.
‘Yes, hi,’ Amber flashed him a natural smile too, and Grace could see she had already forgiven Rachel for breaking the pact. She obviously cared more for Rachel’s happiness, which was radiating from her.
‘Drink anyone?’ Nick offered kindly.
They declined, still having some of their drinks left and Nick made his way over to the bar.
Rachel clenched her jaw and made a face. ‘I’m so sorry I broke the pact girls, but when Nick asked to meet up with me tonight I just really wanted to see him before Christmas. I was so happy he didn’t lie to me, and as much as I just wish he’d told me his story from the start, he has his reasons. I won’t go into it now, but I hope you’re not annoyed with me. I’ll still stay with you all night I promise; you know you girls will always be my priority.’
‘Don’t be silly.’ Grace was the first to answer her. ‘We completely understand you wanted to see him and I think it’s great you’re giving him another chance; no one’s relationships are straightforward anyway.’
‘Yes, just enjoy yourself and spend time getting to know him more.’ Amber smiled gaily. ‘As if we would ever be annoyed with you,’ she told Rachel to reassure her.
‘Thanks girls.’ Rachel looked pleased with their response. ‘In that case, I may just go and join Nick at the bar so he’s not alone. I’ll be back soon.’
Amber and Grace smiled at each other as Rachel walked away looking as though she was floating in the air. It was clear to see how smitten she was.
‘I really hope it works out for them,’ Amber stated sincerely with a cheerful smile.
‘Yes, me too,’ Grace replied, her mind elsewhere. If she was honest, seeing Rachel laughing at the bar with Nick was making her pine for Simon even more. If only she had told Rachel and Amber about seeing him again then he would be there with her. She couldn’t deny she was having an amazing night with her friends, but if he had been there too it would have made the night perfect.
‘Do you remember last year when Jack and Simon fell over at the end and Ed from menswear looked at them in disgrace?’ Amber chuckled.
Grace giggled at the memory. ‘What about when Jack got stuck talking to boring Mike? That was hilarious. You had to go and rescue him in the end, pretending you wanted a dance even though there was no one else on the dancefloor.’
They both laughed and then became silent, deep in thought. Grace looked round at her work colleagues. They were nice enough, but there wasn’t anybody she was interested in talking to. She missed Simon and Jack being there like they normally were. She checked her phone again, disappointed when she saw the blank screen. Simon obviously wasn’t coming and, even though she should have been happy that he wasn’t in case Amber felt left out, Grace felt regretful about how she’d treated him and prayed to God that he still wanted to give things a go.
‘I’m just going to the loo,’ she told Amber over the Christmas music blaring out, who was looking at her phone.
‘Shall I get us some more drinks?’ Amber suggested, waving her empty glass.
Grace nodded and made her way through the growing crowds to the entrance where it was quiet. She didn’t actually need to go to the toilets and had just told Amber that so she could be alone. She had a sudden urge to speak to Simon and check things were okay between them. She dialled his number from her mobile, hoping he’d answer. When he didn’t, she tried again.
‘Grace?’ came the familiar voice at the other end of the line.
‘Simon. How are you?’ Grace asked. ‘Did you get my message about this evening?’
There was a long pause. ‘I did, yes,’ he replied seriously.
‘And?’ Grace’s heart was beating faster with every second. She wasn’t used to Simon being mysterious about the way he felt.
‘I’m just so confused,’ he replied honestly. ‘We’ve been getting on amazingly well, haven’t we? You’ve repeatedly told me you’re not ready to tell anyone about us, and that you didn’t want me accompanying you tonight and now this? Now you’re asking me to go to your work ball, with no notice whatsoever. You only told me the other day I wasn’t welcome.’
Grace closed her eyes for a moment. ‘I know, Simon and I’m sorry. I’m unsure why I didn’t want you to come before. It was because of the pact I made, it was because I was scared…’ She broke off desperately. Was she really losing him? Had Simon finally had enough of her being so blasé about their relationship?
‘I’ve heard all that before, Grace,’ he replied gravely.
‘I’m sorry, Simon. I know I should have just been honest with everyone now. Please don’t tell me you’ve given up on us. You’re right in saying that things have been great between us and the truth is, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I love you, Simon. I love you more than ever and I want you to move back in with me. I’m ready to tell the world we’re back together and to make a go of things. I want to be with you over Christmas. It won’t be the same without you. I really feel like this time it will work. I’m so sorry I’m finally saying all this on a phone call. I know it’s probably not good enough…’ She broke off ruefully.
‘No Grace, I’m sorry, but it’s not good enough,’ he said before the line went dead.
Grace swallowed hard, her eyes burning hot with tears. She’d blown it. She was astonished and devastated that Simon didn’t want to know any longer. He’d been so lovely to her and this was all her fault. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath before freezing when she heard a voice from behind her.
‘It’s not good enough when you can say all this to my face.’
Grace span round, her face bursting into a smile as she stared at Simon standing in front of her, his eyes twinkling in amusement. Her insides turned to jelly.
Grace tapped his arm playfully. ‘You scared me. I really thought that you’d had enough and didn’t want to know me anymore,’ she announced forlornly.
‘It would take more than a little bump in the road to get rid of me.’ Simon gave a light laugh. ‘I would never not want to know you, Grace. How can you not see that? I love you more than anything in the world. You’re everything to me,’ he said, gripping her into a tight hug. ‘And just look where we’re standing—’ his eyes flicked upwards ‘—right under the mistletoe.’
Grace couldn’t contain her smile as she leant towards Simon and kissed him tenderly on the lips. ‘I want you to move back home in the New Year,’ she said with certainty.
‘Thank goodness for that,’ he chuckled. ‘I’ve certainly had enough of Paul and his mess.’
Grace ex
haled in relief, delighted that Simon had made an appearance after all. She couldn’t wait to tell the others that they were back together and she was giving Simon another chance. She instantly felt her spirits lift knowing that he was with her, but as they made their way through the busy dancefloor, Grace couldn’t help but worry about Amber feeling left out.
She glanced over and saw Amber, Rachel and Nick chatting on the edge of the dancefloor.
‘Just give me a moment,’ she asked Simon with a reassuring smile. ‘Get a drink and then come over.’ She pointed towards the bar and Simon gave her an understanding nod of the head and quickly pecked her cheek before walking off.
Grace walked over to where the others were standing.
‘Finally,’ Amber exclaimed, holding out Grace’s drink. ‘I almost drank your one as well while I was waiting. Why have you been gone so long?’
Grace felt a slight colour coming to her cheeks and was glad that it was dark and they wouldn’t be able to see. ‘Amber, I’m really sorry, but I also have a date here tonight,’ she told her, quickly glancing at her shoes. ‘You see, I didn’t know that Rachel was bringing Nick, and I kind of asked him on the off-chance, thinking deep down he wouldn’t come anyway, even though I wanted him to. I’m really sorry, but I’ve broken the pact as well.’
Amber rolled her eyes in mock-annoyance. ‘Oh for goodness’ sake Grace, don’t be so ridiculous. It really doesn’t matter; I’m starting to wish we’d never made this stupid pact to remain single. Some people just don’t know how to stick to a promise,’ she stated, glancing at Rachel and then Grace, but she was smiling to show she didn’t really mind. ‘I’m pleased for you both, really I am. How could I be annoyed when you both seem so loved up? I’ll be fine playing the gooseberry, I should get used to it.’ She laughed.
Rachel frowned. ‘Don’t say that, Amber. You can have any man you want and you know it. I thought you preferred being single anyway?’
