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Hanna Shaw arrived at Betancourt a few minutes after Grace and it had been Griff who had been there to greet her, not Bianca or his dad.
‘I’ve done a rough draft of what I think you might like,’ Hanna said, showing Grace and Griff a sketch she’d made.
‘This is exactly what I was hoping for,’ said Grace, thrilled that Hanna had managed to capture what was in Grace’s mind’s eye, almost to perfection.
‘This is stunning,’ said Griff, looking genuinely pleased.
‘Thank you,’ Hanna said. ‘Will Bianca want to see it before I get started?’
‘No,’ Griff said, without a moment’s hesitation, but his smile wasn’t quite as broad as it had been. ‘Oh. I’ve got your white poinsettias, Grace. I meant to text you last night but … something came up. They’re being delivered next week. Is that okay? And I’ve got some silver pots, green pots and white pots. They’ll be here the same day.’
‘That is brilliant, Griff! You’re a star. Thank you.’
The broad smile returned and he beamed at Grace. ‘My pleasure. And I’ve checked my list this morning, like a good little helper.’ He pulled a face. ‘If my colleagues could see me now.’ He laughed and shook his head.
‘You’re enjoying this aren’t you?’ Hanna said.
‘To my astonishment, I am.’ He shot a look at Grace. ‘More than I imagined.’
‘Well don’t just stand there,’ said Grace, blushing under the intensity of his gaze. ‘Go and do something useful.’
He pointedly spun on his heels and marched away.
‘Don’t look now,’ Hanna said, nudging Grace’s arm, ‘But I think someone may have a bloody great crush on someone.’
‘Is it that obvious?’ Grace’s hand shot to her face and her cheeks flushed even redder. ‘I thought I was in love with Russell. But now I’m not so sure. Griff makes me feel… Oh.’ She coughed. ‘You didn’t mean me, did you?’
Hanna shook her head slowly and deliberately and the grin on her face grew wider. ‘No. But now I’m even more intrigued. You thought you were in love with Russell, the younger brother? But now you’re falling for Griff? This could be awkward.’
‘You have no idea.’
‘Does Russell know? Does Griff?’
Grace sighed wearily. ‘The truth is, I’ve been in love with Russell for most of my life. Since I was about eight, and I’m thirty-four now.’
‘Blimey! That’s some crush.’
‘Yes. I know. I’m nothing if not steadfast. Although, having said that, I thought it was love but others said it was infatuation. I’m not sure now. But I am sure that Griff makes my insides turn to jelly with just one look.’
‘And I think I can safely say you have the same effect on him.’
‘Me? Have an effect on Griff?’ Grace laughed at the idea. ‘No. You’re wrong. I think he likes me, as a friend, but you’ve seen the women he dates. They’re all breathtakingly beautiful. The sort of women you find at the most glamourous events. Not the sort of woman you find organising those events, with her hair tied into a loose bun and wearing scruffy jeans and a Christmas jumper.’
‘Don’t put yourself down, Grace. You’re very pretty.’
‘I’m not bad. But I’m no beauty.’
‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And Griff beholds beauty. You can see it in his eyes and in his smile.’
‘No. Honestly, Hanna. You’re wrong. Besides. He knows I love Russell. Well, he says I only think I love Russell and that I’m simply infatuated.’
‘He knows? How? Did you tell him?’
‘Yes. No. He told me. He says he’s always known. But Russell doesn’t. So please, please don’t say anything to anyone.’
‘I won’t. But you need to sort out how you feel, Grace. Being in love, or thinking you’re in love with two brothers is a recipe for disaster.’
‘That’s what my gran says. She says it’ll end in tears. But she means Russell. She doesn’t know how I feel about Griff because she’s not really with it right now. And come to that. I don’t know how I feel about Griff.’
