Page 37 of Amazing Grace

‘Yep, that’s about right!’

Archie pondered on that for a few seconds, judging by the silence.

‘Then, yes! That’s fine by me. Do you think you might marry my mum?’

Vinnie took a sharp intake of breath. ‘I think it’s very early days yet, buddy, but I’m not against marriage if two people really love each other.’

‘So if you married my mum, would that make you my new dad?’

‘No, mate, not at all. You only get one mum and one dad. If, and that’s a big if, I was to ever marry your mum, I would be your mate, we’d do super-cool stuff together, but I’d never try to be your dad.’

‘So you’d never tell me off?’

‘Ah, that’s a tricky one. Why, are you planning on misbehaving?’

Archie giggled again. ‘Not really, but sometimes Dad makes me stay up really late and I get really tired and a bit grumpy the next day. Then he shouts at me and says I’m horrible and naughty.’

‘Oh, mate, I’m sure he doesn’t mean it. Perhaps he’s just a bit frustrated sometimes and maybe tired himself. Adults get a bit grumpy sometimes if they’re tired.’

‘But you wouldn’t shout at me, would you?’

Grace thought it was about time she intervened and put down the tray she was carrying, wiped away the tear that had trickled from her eye, smiled and knocked on the door. She walked in with the tea tray and a plate of biscuits. ‘Not too many for you, young man,’ she directed at Archie. ‘It’s teatime soon.’

‘Can Vinnie stay for tea, mum? Please.’

‘Vinnie’s very welcome to stay for tea if he’d like to.’ She looked at Vinnie and he winked at her and her insides turned to mush. Luckily she’d made enough lasagne to feed an army so she was delighted when he said he’d love to stay.

Archie punched the air and high-fived Vinnie and they continued their game. Grace felt a little surplus to requirements but at the same time was truly thrilled that this first meeting was going so well.

‘Mum, can you call us when tea’s ready? You can go now,’ Archie said, dismissing her from his bedroom. ‘We’re playing FIFA. It’s not for girls!’

Vinnie grinned at her over her son’s head as she backed out of the room, leaving them sat side by side on Archie’s cabin bed. All she could hear was laughter. It was a lovely sound. She noticed when she reached the bottom of the stairs that she had the biggest smile on her face that she’d had for a long time.

* * *

‘Guys, dinner’s ready!’

Archie and Vinnie came running down the stairs and Archie made Vinnie go into the downstairs toilet and wash his hands, which made her smile. He really was taking his man of the house duties very seriously.

They sat on the stools around the breakfast bar in the kitchen and tucked into lasagne, garlic bread, sweet potato fries and salad.

‘My mum is the best cook in the world.’

‘I can see that buddy, this is delicious, Grace.’ He smiled at her across the table, and her heart melted just a little bit more.

‘Can you cook, Vinnie?’ asked Archie.

‘I can, actually. When you live on your own, you either learn to cook or eat rubbish, so Ruth, my sister, made sure she gave me cooking lessons so I could eat healthily and not just buy stuff that I throw in the microwave.’

‘Perhaps one day, Vinnie, Mum and I could come to your house and you could cook tea for us?’

Grace rolled her eyes and mouthedSorry!over Archie’s head. Vinnie shook his head.

‘Do you know what, mate, I’d really love that. I’ll sort that out with your mum.’

After they’d finished tea and Grace was loading the dishwasher, she glanced over and noticed that Archie couldn’t have sat closer to Vinnie if he’d tried. Even Becks was at his feet.

‘Oh, and Grace, the guys want to come next Monday and get those trees sorted out for you.’

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