Page 14 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘And sold a million-pound house? Wow.’ Katie whistled.

‘Sounds like a good bet to lose,’ said Robyn.

‘You know what … ’ Grace’s eyes softened.

She remembered the call from the sales director as if it was yesterday. They’d both asked Grace to join them. They’d both spoken to Alistair together to hear the good news. Their first million-pound sale. All the hard work, the risks they’d taken, and the knock-backs had paid off. It felt better than winning the lottery because they’d worked so hard for it.

Myles had picked her up and spun her round and then they’d held each other tightly, scarcely daring to believe their good fortune. Finally, Myles’s hand had glided down low and he’d reminded her about the tattoo. It had been a proud moment and the tattoo was a symbol of all they’d achieved together. And although for obvious reasons, she couldn’t see the detail easily herself, the tattoo artist had added a tiny heart with the initials M and G in the centre of the door because for Grace, wherever Myles was meant home.

The two women were staring at her and Grace realised she hadn’t finished her own sentence.

‘I’m glad I lost and I’m glad I got the tattoo,’ she said wistfully.

She wiggled her legs to get some life back into them and then shook out her arms.

‘It was a tiny little house when I first had it done. But as the years have rolled by, it seems to have grown. Heyho, that’s life. Anyway, if you’ve both finished gawping at my derrière, perhaps you could help me back in the house; I’ve got nipples like coat pegs in this sea air.’

Robyn was screwing her face up tightly with the effort of not laughing and Katie had tucked her chin into her coat to hide her smile and suddenly Grace let out a snort of laughter. The other two joined in and with much merriment they helped Grace inside through enormous sliding glass doors and settled her on the sofa with her feet up. Katie slid the doors shut and Robyn went to locate the kettle in the sleek open-plan kitchen.

Grace shut her eyes for a moment, feeling wobbly and a bit teary. Sticking a brave face on was her modus operandi and humour was her default response to everything. But deep down, she was hurting. Not only was every muscle screaming but her heart was in agony too. She was missing Myles so much that her grief felt as if it was pressing her down, like one of those weighted blankets you could get to help you sleep. Sleep, pah, she hadn’t had a single decent night’s sleep since he’d gone.

‘Here,’ said a soft voice beside her. ‘Drink this.’

She opened her eyes to see Robyn holding a mug out to her.

Grace swallowed and conjured up a smile. ‘You star. You’ll have one, won’t you?’

Robyn nodded and retreated back to the kitchen to make more drinks and Katie appeared with a duvet.

She tucked it over Grace and perched on the end of the sofa. ‘I hope you don’t mind me snooping around, I’ve pinched this from one of the bedrooms, I was looking for a jumper or dressing gown or something, but this was all I could find.’

‘I’ve only just moved in.’ Grace revelled in the warmth of the duvet and clasped the hot mug tightly. It was a bit on the milky side, but the fact that it was hot, and she hadn’t had to make it herself, made up for it. ‘I haven’t even done that properly, most of my stuff is still in the car.’

‘I don’t think you’ll be doing any heavy lifting for a while,’ said Robyn, handing Katie a cup of tea. ‘That ankle looks a bit swollen.’

Grace smiled ruefully. ‘It can wait.’

‘We can help, can’t we?’ Robyn looked at Katie.

‘Um.’ Katie pulled her phone out her pocket and held it up.

Grace put a hand over her face. ‘Oh Katie, don’t take my picture, I must look a right state.’

Katie blinked. ‘No, I wouldn’t. I’d never do that, never. I just need to check in with work. My assistant will think I’ve dropped off the face of the earth.’

‘Of course, go ahead,’ said Grace, surprised by the strength of Katie’s reaction.

‘That’s how Katie and I met,’ said Robyn. She sat on the pale wool rug in the middle of the floor and crossed her legs. ‘She thought I was taking her picture.’

Katie winced. ‘Sorry about that, I’m a bit weird about having my photo taken.’

Robyn shrugged. ‘Totally my fault. Anyway, it’s just as well it happened, or we’d never have heard you scream.’

Grace raised an eyebrow. ‘Do you mean you’ve only just met?’

The women nodded.

‘Down on the beach by your gate,’ Robyn confirmed.