Page 22 of Amazing Grace

Looking intently at her, he’d said, ‘You’ve changed your hair.’

Archie had butted in, saying, ‘Of course she’s changed it, Dad! Didn’t you notice? D’oh. She’s had it all cut off and it’s a different colour now!’

Mark had muttered something about it looking nice, before hustling Archie out for a quick exit.

When they were together, on the rare occasions that they did go out together, and she’d really made an effort to look nice, she’d ask him if she looked OK and he always used to answer, ‘You’ll do,’ without even looking at her. And that was when Mark had been her partner, so she was shocked that he’d noticed her change today. But she had no time to think about what it all meant, as she was nervous as hell for her meet up with Vinnie. Running upstairs, she quickly got changed into the teal wrap dress that she and Monica had picked out from their recent swishing trip. Her hands were shaking as she carefully applied her make-up the way that Fiona had shown her and, when she finished, she slipped her feet into a pair of grey wedges that she’d carefully chosen to go with most of her new clothes stash.

She heard the deep hum of an engine outside her house, and as she waited for the doorbell, she sprayed herself with her Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Neroli perfume, a present from someone she’d recently done a house deal for. When the bell rang, she grabbed her grey cashmere cardigan, took a deep breath, exhaled and went downstairs.

‘Wowsers!’ Vinnie said when she opened the door. ‘You look fabulous, Grace.’

‘Why thank you,’ she replied and blushed slightly as she looked him up and down. He looked bloody gorgeous too, simply dressed in a black cotton t-shirt – which fitted him in all the right places, skimming over his abs like a second skin – a pair of dark blue jeans, a smart black jacket and black boots. Her very own Milk Tray Man. His dark hair was slightly gelled, his face looked sun-kissed from working outdoors and his short beard was perfectly groomed. As he turned and walked down her drive towards his car, Grace pulled the door shut behind her and couldn’t help but look at his backside, which was pert and perfectly formed. She grinned to herself. All her good intentions to not even think about having sex seemed to go out the window and she strongly resisted the urge to grab him by the lapels, snog his face off and rip his clothes off there and then. Date or not, she knew a mighty fine-looking man when she saw one.

She was struggling with the whole ‘is it a date?’ dilemma. He hadn’t exactly said it was a date; he’d just said he wanted to try out a restaurant and asked her to go along. Did that constitute a date? Or was it just two people who needed to eat going out and eating together?

They had the most perfect evening. The sun set in the distance over the countryside as they sat outside the restaurant, and they once again very comfortably chatted about their respective weeks so far. Vinnie was a great conversationalist and storyteller; he was quick-witted and just delightful company. The meal was delicious, too. The restaurant belonged to a couple who Vinnie knew from university and they made them feel really welcome and special, recommending all their signature dishes and making a real fuss over their guests.

When they’d finished their meal and said goodbye to Vinnie’s friends, thanking them for such a fabulous meal, he opened the car door for her and she climbed in. She was pleased that he had a nice car. She didn’t want to seem petty or materialistic but she remembered years ago going on a date with a guy who was six feet five and very good-looking, but when he picked her up, he had a bright green Fiat Cinquecento that he had to unfold himself from and she was mortified. Vinnie’s flame-red BMW X5 certainly met with her approval.

During the short ride home they chatted like old friends, and when they pulled up outside her house she dithered a little about whether to invite him in or not. But before she’d thought about it too much, he said, ‘I’ve got to be up early to drive to Southampton, so even if you were going to invite me in for a coffee I’d have to decline.’ He grinned and she couldn’t help but smile back at him because she knew he could sense she was unsure.

‘However…’ He hesitated. ‘I’ve had a wonderful evening, Grace, and if you’re free at the weekend, I’d love it if we could see each other again.’

‘Oh, Vinnie, that would have been lovely, but I can’t do this weekend as I’m taking Archie away, but I am free on Monday or Tuesday evening, if you’re free then?’ she replied. She hoped she hadn’t blown it.

‘Well, let’s make it Monday then because I don’t think I can wait until Tuesday to see you again. How about going to the cinema? Do you like films?’ he asked.

‘Yes, it’ll make a change to watch something that’s not got a PG certificate.’ Grace smiled. ‘I normally get nudged all the way through a kids’ film as I have been known to get way too comfortable and nod off.’

‘Then it’s a date. I’ll check the film times and text you what time I’ll pick you up, if that’s OK?’

Aha! So the next one definitely was a date then. He turned to her and there was an awkward moment where they didn’t know whether they should kiss – and if so, whether cheeks or lips. They went for a kiss on each cheek, continental style. She opened the door and climbed out and raised a hand in a wave and said she’d see him on Monday. He waited until she’d opened the front door and turned and smiled at him with a little wave as she closed the door. She appreciated that he’d made sure she’d got inside safely before driving away. A gentleman. She loved it.

She did wonder if she’d done something wrong though, as he hadn’t kissed her, apart from the little peck on the cheek. She wondered if he’d just had a nice night but wasn’t that into her. But then why would he ask her to go out again?Andhe’d said the D-word. He couldn’t possibly have a girlfriend if he was asking her out, surely? Perhaps she just needed to go with it and see what developed, if anything at all. It was all so blooming confusing.

All these thoughts were going round her head when there was a soft knock at the door. She opened it and to her surprise, there stood Vinnie.

‘I’m sorry, Grace, but there was something really important that I forgot to do.’ He took a step inside the door, reached down and cupped her face in his hands. ‘I really have loved every minute of this evening, Grace, and I’ve wanted to do this from the very first moment I stood on this step that Saturday afternoon.’ She closed her eyes and their lips met, and he kissed her slowly, tenderly, yet with an incredible passion, and she felt like she was going to float away on a cloud. She didn’t know that a kiss could feel so sensual. His soft short beard gently grazed against her chin.

He pulled away and smiled at her. ‘Thank you, I’ve wanted to do that all night!’ He turned and walked down the path and when he reached the car, blew her a kiss.

He waited until she shut the door to make sure she was safely tucked inside again before he drove away. She leant up against the door, touching her lips with her fingers.Christ!she thought.If he makes me feel like that with a kiss, how on earth am I going to feel if I ever have sex with him?

She floated around her bedroom in a daze, getting changed into her pyjamas and taking off her make-up, when her phone pinged to say that she had a text message.

Thanks for the lovely evening. That kiss will keep me going until Monday. Can’t wait! Goodnight, sweet dreams. Vinniex

Vinnie’s gorgeous face was the last thing she saw in her mind as her head hit the pillow and she dreamt those sweet dreams.

* * *

Sleep well, my darling. You looked so beautiful this evening and I’m so pleased that you both got on like a house on fire. I knew you would. He’s lovely! Just enjoy the time you spend with him and concentrate on yourself for a while. Let that smile that I saw this evening, which hasn’t been around for a long time, be a permanent fixture on your face. It’s so lovely to see you so happy. I love you, darling. Mumxxx

13

After lunch the following day, Grace was slightly concerned to see the name of Archie’s school showing up on her phone’s caller display. They only ever phoned if there was a problem.

‘Mrs Beam?’

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