Page 102 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘I feel numb. It’s so much to take in.’ Tears trickled down Grace’s face. ‘A few weeks ago, I thought that losing Myles was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. But now I feel even worse than I did then. I can’t believe that he and Zoe would do that behind my back. And then to have his baby.’ She shook her head. ‘How can life be so cruel?’

‘And why does shit have to happen to good people?’ Katie felt physically sick on Grace’s behalf.

Robyn handed her a tissue. ‘I hope you kicked her out?’

Grace dabbed her eyes. ‘She left at the crack of dawn this morning. Poor Ruby must have wondered what was going on. I’m so angry with Myles for being weak. He must have been beside himself when Zoe announced she was pregnant. I even wondered … ’ she lowered her head and tears dripped from her chin. Robyn swapped her wet tissue for a dry one. ‘I mean, heart attacks can be brought on by stress, can’t they?’

Katie put an arm around her. ‘I don’t suppose you’re ever going to find out the effect that it had on Myles’s health. But I imagine from what Zoe told you that he bitterly regretted what had happened. I’m sure he never stopped loving you.’

‘Maybe,’ she replied, ‘but he’s not the man I thought he was. I came to Merle Bay with grand plans of getting my act together and planning for the future. I was grieving, but I was secure in that grief. The life we had together anchored me. Now I feel cast adrift again. I have nothing, and right now it feels like I have no one.’

‘You have us,’ Robyn announced. ‘And we’re not going anywhere.’

‘Correct,’ Katie agreed. ‘And who’s to say that you won’t fall in love again? You’re only forty-six. If I can advance on the mating techniques of a penguin, I’m sure you can.’

‘True. Thank you.’ Grace laughed softly, gripping their hands.

‘It’s all very raw now,’ said Robyn, ‘but maybe as time passes and you’re less angry, you might feel open to forgiving them both, let your happy memories take over from the bad ones.’

Grace gave a half smile. ‘You’re probably right. But for now, I’m going to put some space between us. And Ruby … ’ she swallowed. ‘Ruby is Myles’s daughter whether I like it or not. He’d want me to have some sort of relationship with her. And when I’m feeling brave, I will.’

‘To feeling brave!’ Katie said, raising her drink.

‘To feeling brave!’ the other two chorused just as a big wave sent them rushing back up the beach squealing at the cold water.

‘BARKLY! BARKLY!’

The three women whirled round to find the source of the voice and a small wet dog launched itself at their legs, yapping and bouncing happily. In the distance a man was running towards them swinging a dog lead from his hand.

‘Oh, hello, puppy.’ Robyn bent to stroke the tiny blond ball of fluff.

‘It’s a Cocker Spaniel, I think. Very cute,’ said Katie, laughing as the puppy shook itself and gave her legs an impromptu shower.

‘And that looks like … it is!’ Grace gasped and then shouted. ‘NED!’

The man waved. ‘Grace! Grab that naughty pup for me!’

Robyn scooped up the dog and Grace ran to meet its owner.

‘Isn’t Ned the owner of Sea Glass House?’ said Katie as they watched the man hug Grace tightly and kiss her cheek. The dog wriggled out of Robyn’s hands and raced back to them.

‘Yep. And he looks rather handsome,’ said Robyn. ‘Grace certainly seems to think so.’

Grace had linked his arm and was dragging him back to meet them and the dog was running in excited circles around their feet.

‘Listen, I meant to say,’ said Katie. ‘I’ve got two spare tickets to the awards night now that my parents can’t come. Would you like to bring Finn?’

‘I’d love to,’ Robyn beamed. ‘Thank you. We haven’t had a night out for months.’

‘Which just leaves one spare ticket … ’ Katie waggled her eyebrows suggestively. ‘Shall I?’

Robyn sucked in air. ‘Maybe give it to Grace and let her decide.’

‘Ned,’ Grace said breathlessly. ‘I’d like you to meet the Sea Glass Sisterhood: Robyn and Katie.’

‘Lovely to meet you.’ Ned kissed them both. ‘So, you’re the ladies responsible for putting the smile back on Grace’s face.’

‘Actually, no,’ Katie grinned. ‘That, it seems, would be you.’