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‘Yes, look – I did what you said and contacted Jenna. She’s in hospital. Nothing serious.’ Thea frowned. Breaking a leg was pretty serious, and she still didn’t know how it had happened. ‘So, I’m going to Suffolk to help them out for a bit. Will you tell Edward I’ve decided to take some annual leave?’
‘I already have.’
‘What?’
‘Well, you weren’t in the office this morning, and although you think coming into work tomorrow will take your mind off things, in my experience, it won’t.’
Thea knew what she was referring to – her messy divorce.
‘Getting away – that’s just the ticket.’
She wasn’t so sure. Looking after two teenagers, ferrying them back and forward to school, wasn’t exactly a holiday – although she would have the rest of each day free to do her own thing. The trouble was, what was there to do in Suffolk? She had no clue.
The last time she’d stayed there, other than for a flying visit to her sister for a couple of nights, had been when she was nine years old and they had lived there. Now she was too old for crabbing in rock pools, and flying kites on the beach, and visiting petting zoos, and all the other things her nine-year-old self had once enjoyed about the Suffolk Coast. Her life in London was a world away, and her recollection of her childhood, although filled with fond memories, would always be tinged with sadness. There was a reason she didn’t ever hang around long on the Suffolk Coast. She was surprised her sister had moved there.
‘Thea? You’re not having second thoughts – are you?’
Gracie, just like her mum, could read her mind. ‘I can’t back out now. I promised I’d go.’
‘Good.I’ll let Edward know you’re taking a couple of weeks.’
‘A couple of weeks! No, that’s not what I said. I’m only going for a few days.’
‘Well, at least you’ve got the time off if you need to extend it to help out your sister, and perhaps have a little holiday there.’
‘That’s not where I’d choose to take a holiday.’
‘Why not? I’ve heard it’s a lovely part of the world, bit of a well-kept secret.’
‘I do know that. I grew up there.’ Thea hadn’t meant to snap. She added, ‘Perhaps the break from work will do me good.’
‘That’s the spirit. Send your sister my best wishes for a speedy recovery.’
‘Thanks, Gracie. I will.’
‘See you in a couple of weeks.’
‘Okay.’
I’ll be back a lot sooner than that, Thea thought, but decided to keep that thought to herself. ‘I’m getting the next train.’ She was already on her phone, looking up the next train leaving Liverpool Street Station. ‘It leaves in an hour, so I won’t be here when you get home.’ Thea hesitated. ‘Will you let me know if someone calls on me while I’m gone?’
‘And by someone, you mean—’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
Thea was surprised by the question. ‘I just want to know – that’s all.’
‘All right.’
She guessed what Gracie was thinking. ‘I didn’t say I’d consider getting back together with him, did I?’ Thea took a deep breath. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.’
‘You don’t have to apologise, Thea. I understand.’
Thea wasn’t sure she did. It wasn’t like Gracie’s divorce. She’d been with her husband for what seemed to Thea like forever. They’d drifted apart over several years, then he’d found someone else. She expected they hadn’t even been in love anymore when they’d finally divorced. But she and Miles hadn’t fallen out of love. Not until she had found out the truth about him. And still, deep down, she believed him when he said he’d leave his wife. But she wasn’t about to tell Gracie that. She knew what Gracie would say: that he wasn’t like Mark, who had actually left his first wife.
She did think that Gracie was right, though. Perhaps it was for the best that she had an excuse to get away from London for a bit – because if he did call round, she didn’t trust herself not to end up forgiving him.
