Page 45 of Amazing Grace

She remembered that Monica had bought her a silky kimono for her last birthday, which was normally hidden under her purple fleecy dressing gown, so in an effort not to kill off the romance as soon as it had started, she grabbed it off the back of the bathroom door and decided to go barefoot. She went downstairs and returned with two steaming mugs of tea and the biscuit tin.

When she returned, Vinnie said, ‘You really are the girl of my dreams, you know. I didn’t think I’d be hungry after that mammoth Sunday dinner you cooked, but I seem to have lost some of my energy! This is just what I need to get it back again.’

They sat side by side in her bed and chatted comfortably as if it were the most normal thing in the world and they’d been doing it for years. She couldn’t quite believe it. She’d been worrying about that moment for weeks. When was the right time to have sex with a new partner? How many dates should she go on first? When would they be alone? When would it happen? Would they enjoy it? What if she did it wrong? Would she know what he enjoyed? Would he like her body? Should she ask him to stop over, or leave? It was a minefield. But everything with Vinnie was just so easy. Grace realised that she was more relaxed and calm than she had been for years. Sod meditating, what she’d needed for inner peace was a damn good shag, clearly!

Vinnie finished his mug of tea and took hers from her and put it on the bedside table. He pulled her towards him again and when she felt his hardness against her, she realised that he seemed to have got his energy back after all. She grinned and kissed him and he rolled her over so he was above her and eased her legs apart gently with his knees. He looked deep into her eyes as he pushed inside her and groaned with pleasure. ‘You are amazing. What are you doing to me?’ he asked, as this time their lovemaking was slower and even more intense. Just perfect.

* * *

The sun shone brightly through the gap in the curtains and filled the room with light. Grace opened her eyes to find Vinnie leaning on his elbow, watching her. He smiled and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

‘Morning, sleepyhead.’

‘Morning, you! It wasn’t all a dream then?’

‘Not at all, it’s real, alright. No regrets I hope?’ he asked.

‘None whatsoever.’

‘I am so glad to hear that. You snore, by the way!’

‘I do not!’ Grace squealed, blushing.

‘I’m afraid you do, but you are forgiven because they’re sexy little snores. I let you sleep, but to be honest they were making me feel extremely horny and I just wanted to wake you up and show you just how much I liked them.’

‘Good job you didn’t. To be honest, even if David Beckham woke me up saying he wanted to roger me senseless in the middle of the night, I’d slap him and say,David, don’t bloody wake me up.Now get over your own side of the bed and go back to sleep.I really hate being disturbed in my sleep.’

Vinnie laughed. ‘It’s not really etiquette to mention another man wanting to have his wicked way with you when I’ve only just had mine, you know. However, as it is the mighty Golden Balls Beckham, I will, on this one occasion, ignore it.

‘Right then, lady. Much as I’d like to stay right here and show you how much better in bed I am than that Beckham stud-muffin, I think we should get our lazy butts out of bed on this Bank Holiday Monday and make the most of this sunshine. There’s a dog downstairs who I’m sure would love to go out for a walk in the forest and I know I’d like to get some fresh air. How do you fancy a nice long walk, then I’ll buy you a slap-up breakfast?’

‘Oh, Vinnie, you sure know how to treat a lady! I bet David never says that to Victoria first thing in the morning. I’ll have to back by three as Archie is back then, is that OK?’

‘Of course. And I’ve had a text from Ruth this morning asking what your plans are for next Saturday night. She wondered if you fancied going over for a karaoke and games night. They do tend to get a little raucous but if you think you can cope with that, then I’m game!’

‘That sounds fun, but I don’t do karaoke! I’ll join in from afar but there is no chance that you will get me in front of a microphone. I am tone deaf. The only singing out loud I do is when I’m in my car. But what I lack in tone, I make up for in enthusiasm!’

‘We’ll see!’ He winked at her. Every time he did that, her heart fluttered a tiny bit. She wondered if that was something she’d ever get used to.

While she jumped in the shower, Vinnie threw on his boxers and jeans and went down to the kitchen to make them some coffee. Since Grace had been going to Ruth’s café, she always picked up some of her special blend of coffee that he loved so much, and it was now her favourite too.

When Grace came down from her shower, she saw Vinnie engrossed, looking at her noticeboard which hung on the kitchen door. There were the usual doctor and dentist appointment cards and school reminders, but also pictures that had been cut out of magazines pinned on there. There was an image of a stunning summerhouse, all decked out with cushions, lanterns and fairy lights. It looked like a magical place. There was also a fabulous rattan garden set and a tidy, clean, perfect garden with beautiful buddhas and cascading water features and a big statue of a stunning angel.

Sipping her coffee, Grace said, ‘Oh, you’ve spotted my dream board then! It’s a bit far from reality, isn’t it?’ She laughed as she pointed out of her dining-room window at her shabby garden shed.

‘What are the drawings for?’ he asked.

‘Oh, nothing really. It’s my dream garden, all zen and buddha-like. Somewhere I could go to escape the world and sit in peace and tranquillity. I do have a buddha, but sadly Becks pees up it. I’m sure that’s probably bad luck in ancient Japan.

‘I bought some garden furniture last year, which is in the garage and I can’t assemble it myself, so it’s still there. The plans are exactly what I want to do. I don’t have the resources to implement it right now, but it’s on my dream board because you never know! One day, if I dream it enough, it might happen.’

‘Well, perhaps one of these days we can sort your furniture out. I’d love to help you, Grace.’

‘Thanks, Vinnie, you really are a sweetheart, you know. And I might just take you up on that offer. Now, let’s get this furry beast out for a walk.’

She smiled and thought about what a long way she’d come from the day Monica had started her make-over. At one point, she’d never thought she’d find someone she’d want to be with romantically. She just couldn’t be bothered and was just happy to wait around for Archie to come back from his dad’s, but she thought that she might just be falling for Vinnie. He made her feels things that she’d never thought she’d feel again. Perhaps it was worth it, after all.

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