Page 38 of Amazing Grace

‘Yes, that’s fab. Can’t wait to get some sunshine back into my life.’

‘Well, I’m glad to help on that score!’ said Vinnie.

If only you knew just how much you already have, thought Grace. Since she and Mark had split, this was the first time she had felt that she could truly look forward to the future.

Vinnie left around seven thirty, leaving Grace to her night-time routine with her son. They snuggled up on Archie’s bed and he laid his head on her chest while they read together. She couldn’t believe that one of the things she’d learned from helping to set up a reading group at school was that there was a huge percentage of children who never read and were never read to.

Her and Archie’s reading time was so special. Completely magical. He sat so close to her, snuggling in to her ample chest, so close that she could smell the apple-and-melon shampoo that he’d used in the bath earlier. This time of night was their time to put the world to rights, for them to chat about things which had happened during the day and talk over their hopes and dreams for the future. And now Archie was growing up, busy with school and football, she cherished these moments of closeness more than ever, where she could still see her baby in the face of her young handsome son.

‘I like Vinnie, Mum, I like him a lot,’ he whispered to her. ‘I’m happy that you have someone to be with when I’m at Dad’s now. I don’t want you to be on your own. I’m glad that Vinnie is going to look after you when I’m not here to look after you.’

‘Thank you, darling, that means such a lot to me. I love you, my angel, good night and God bless.’

‘Good night my beautiful Mummy, I love you too.’

Grace kissed the top of his head, as he snuggled down under the duvet, feeling that her heart could explode at any moment. When he was tired he had a tendency to revert to being much younger.

‘Mummy, can I have just one more cuddle please?’ he asked.

‘Sure can.’ She leant over the rail of his bed to get to him. He snuggled right into her and said, ‘I love your cuddles so much, Mum, they’re the best in the world. I could cuddle you all night.’

‘Now that is a lovely thought, darling, but you have school in the morning and need to get some sleep, so just you go to sleep and imagine my arms are around you and you’re safe and snug as a bug in a rug.’

‘Oookaaay, Mum.’ He yawned and within seconds he was snoring, snuffling and dribbling like a pot-bellied pig.

19

When Grace’s phone rang the day before dinner at Ruth’s, and Mark’s name appeared on her screen, her heart slumped. She didn’t know why after all this time she still had a very strange ‘oh no, what have I done now?’ feeling going on right in the pit of her stomach whenever she saw his name on her phone.

‘Grace! I need you to have Archie tomorrow night.’ No ‘please’, no asking, just a statement. Experience had taught her that it wasn’t worth getting into a prolonged argument about it, so she bit her tongue, saying sweetly, ‘OK Mark, what time do you want to drop him off?’

‘Oh!’ he said, clearly not expecting this response. ‘Are you sure that’s OK? It’s just that Archie mentioned you were going out. I was hoping around six.’

‘OK great, see you then. Must fly, I’m just going out. Byeee!’ She ended the call. Now all she had to do was tell Vinnie that she wouldn’t be able to go to Ruth’s for dinner. She called his number but his answerphone kicked in so she left a message explaining what had happened and how sorry she was that the plans for the following evening would have to change.

Five minutes later the phone rang and Grace was delighted when she recognised the voice on the other end.

‘Grace, darling, it’s Ruth. I’ve just had a text from Vincent, saying that your ex has changed your plans for tomorrow night. I’m so sorry my love but your plans most certainly have not been scuppered. Just bring Archie with you. My little guy and girls would love to have another playmate. They’ll make him feel at home. Bring some jim-jams with you and if he falls asleep you can stick him in one of the spare beds and then take him home when you’re ready. How does that sound?’

‘Oh, Ruth, you are a love, are you sure? I don’t want to put you out at all.’

‘Grace, another child when you already have three doesn’t make a blind bit of difference. I’d planned for the kids to have party food in their den while we eat in the dining room, so it’s no trouble at all. I insist!’

‘That would be lovely, I was really looking forward to coming so thank you for letting me bring Archie.’

‘I’m glad he’s coming, because it means that our children can meet each other and have some fun. Win-win all round. So we’ll see you at seven then? Must fly. I think one of my children is about to murder one of the others! They are lovely, really. Honest! Ta-ta for now!’

Nothing seemed to faze Ruth. She was completely awesome and like a breath of fresh air. Grace really liked her and hoped they would become good friends. She had lots of other friends in her life but had really felt the loss of a sister-character in her life, ever since Hannah had moved to Florida. She got the same warm feeling from Ruth that she did from her big sister. She beamed as her phone beeped to say she had a message.

Sorry I couldn’t respond, I’m in a meeting. I’ve texted Ruth to ask if it’s OK to bring Archie tomorrow night. I don’t know why I asked really as I knew the answer would be yes! She’s going to call you. I’ll call you when I’m out of my meeting. Hope you are having a lovely day. Can’t stop thinking about you.Vx

Grace’s heart did a little leap, reading the words on the screen. This man seemed too good to be true – she just hoped that he was all he appeared to be.

* * *

She didn’t know why, but the prospect of going to dinner at Ruth’s with Archie made her feel a little apprehensive. When Mark dropped off Archie, Grace stood at the door and didn’t invite him in, hoping that he would take the hint and leave.

‘Sorry if it’s spoilt your night.’ He smirked. ‘Archie had mentioned that you were going out.’

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