Page 2 of Amazing Grace

I’d have to find a cocktail dress.

Where do you buy a cocktail dress?

Do they sell cocktail dresses in Asda?

I won’t know anyone there.

I might have to sit next to a stranger and eat dinner.

I’d have to make small talk.

If I did win an award, which I won’t, what if I fall over when I have to go up to collect it?

What if I throw up with nerves?

I’d have to have my hair coloured, get rid of those grey roots.

Oh crap! I’d have to shave my legs!

So the cons outweighed the pros. It was obvious what she had to do. She’d just have to find an excuse not to go.

* * *

When she went into work that morning, the awards event was the talk of the office. The three young girls who worked there were discussing what they were going to wear and talking about having spray tans and booking in nails appointments with the local beautician. Grace’s worst nightmare was their big dream.

‘How exciting!’ said Melanie, who was the office manager as well as the boss’s wife. ‘Our Grace, nominated for “Business Superstar” and the agency nominated for “Estate Agency of the Year”. We are so proud of you all.’

Grace smiled but underneath she was already dreading the event and trying to think of every excuse she could to get out of it. She went over to the desk she used when she was in the office and picked up a pile of particulars that needed putting into some semblance of order, starting to pair photographs with their relevant descriptions. Before Grace had started at the agency, houses had been detailed in the usual way, paper copies being given out to prospective buyers. Grace had had the idea of filming the rooms and sharing the videos on the agency’s Facebook page, which was also new, so that people got a real feel for the house they were looking at. It had been quite revolutionary for this small family firm and had increased business by 200 per cent.

Nicki, Jo and Julie, all twenty-something single girls, fawned over her.

‘Oh, Grace,’ said Nicki. ‘We were just saying before you came in that you’ve inspired us all to think of new innovative ways to do things to make us better than our competition. And if you can do it at your age, then we absolutely can.’

Grace laughed at the backhanded compliment, and she and Melanie grinned at each other.

‘Seriously, Grace,’ said Melanie, ‘we are so delighted. Since you joined us, it’s like a breath of fresh air has wafted through the business. We were very stuck in a rut, too busy to even think about changing things. We really did hit the jackpot when you applied for this job.’

It was amazing, really, that Grace had been so desperate to get this job, so that she could fit work around Archie, and that they were so pleased to get her. It had been a super match, and it had worked wonders. However, her bosses telling her she’d done a good job was enough for her. She didn’t need to go through all the stress of the awards ceremony for affirmation. They could buy her a bottle of gin and a thank-you card and she’d be made up.

She had a busy few weeks ahead of her. Perhaps if she didn’t think about the awards ceremony it might go away. Or she’d come up with the best excuse ever for why she couldn’t go. It wasn’t like she was going to win, anyway…

2

‘BIN!’

‘But I feel comfortable in black. And it hides everything!’ Grace whined as Monica put yet another black top on the pile.

‘How many black tops can one person have, for goodness’ sake?’ Monica muttered. ‘You’ll feel comfortable in colours too by the time I’ve finished with you, lady! No longer will you hide behind baggy, colourless,miserableclothes! It’s no wonder you feel like crap sometimes. You have to face facts, Grace. You are curvy, so you are going to show off your curves, not hide them away. Blooming heck, I wish my boobs were as big as yours! Loads of people I know would besojealous of your cleavage. With my help, you, my darling, are going to flourish and bloom and feel fabulous in everything you wear!’ Monica stood behind Grace, bringing her arms around her front and giving her boobs a grope. ‘And be proud of these mammas!’

‘Get your hands off me, you bloody perv!’ Grace couldn’t help laughing at her friend, even though she was quite devastated that most of her favourite clothes were being packed into bin liners. She was concocting a plan for how she could retrieve them later when Monica walked around and stood in front of her, hands on her hips, apparently reading her mind.

‘And you needn’t think you are getting these back either, madam. I’m taking them straight to the charity shop! Although I’m not sure even they’d take some of this stuff, it’s so bloody awful!’

‘God you’re tough!’ Grace growled at her. ‘Brutal!’

‘And that’s why you love me so much.’ Monica grinned. She flung another black bag down the stairs towards the front door and blew her a kiss. ‘Andthatis a very special bag that we’re taking somewhere else.’

* * *

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