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How could she have fallen for his games?
How had she thought herself in love with one man for over twenty-five years, and then in the space of two days, have fallen for his brother?
Because anyone who believes themselves to be in love with a man they hardly ever see must be delusional, mustn’t they?
Hope never behaved like this and she was younger than Grace.
‘Is it safe to come in?’ Hope asked, knocking on Grace’s bedroom door.
‘I give no guarantees. But I could use the company. I bet Mum and Dad think I should be certified, don’t they?’
‘No. Of course not. I’m the only one who thinks that.’ Hope dropped onto Grace’s bed and scooched up beside her. ‘Seriously, Grace. No one thinks anything of the sort. You’re just a little too much of a romantic for your own good, that’s all. Has he called? Or texted?’
‘Griff?’
‘No. Father Christmas. Of course, Griff.’
Grace shook her head. ‘Why would he? He’s no doubt having sex with his girlfriend. The obviously gorgeous, Davina.’ Grace sneered.
‘I have to admit I’m as surprised as you must’ve been. He didn’t mention a girlfriend, did he? And I swear we all thought … Well, that doesn’t matter now. You’ll get over this, Grace. You will. And you’ll be stronger for it.’
‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?’
‘Right,’ said Hope. ‘And in the meantime, there’s ice cream. Bailey’s flavoured tubs of the stuff. Come down and have some and we’ll watch a weepy movie together. That way you can blame your red, bleary eyes on one of those, and not a certain man we won’t mention.’
‘Bailey’s ice cream?’
Hope nodded.
‘And Dad’s been out and bought chocolate flakes.’
‘Chocolate flakes and Bailey’s ice cream? Why didn’t you say so earlier?’
Grace’s heart might be breaking but nothing could ever be so dire as to stop her from eating Bailey’s ice cream and chocolate flakes.
Hope took her hand and they ran down the stairs together.
‘We’ve made a space for you here,’ said Pat, tapping the sofa cushion between herself and Granny Joy. ‘I’ll make some tea.’
‘I told you it would end in tears,’ said Granny Joy.
‘Wrong brother,’ said Grace, and she leant over and kissed her gran on the forehead.
‘That’s what I said.’ Granny Joy clearly had more to say. ‘Grifforde is the one for you, Grace. Mark my words. Not Russell.’
‘You have no idea how wrong you are, Granny,’ said Grace, her heart breaking just a little. ‘Where’s Dad?’ she asked Hope.
‘On the phone with a client.’
‘I’m never wrong about the Betancourts.’ Granny Joy slapped Grace’s knee, but it was a gentle slap.
‘Okay, Granny,’ said Hope. ‘I think Grace has heard enough about that family to last her a lifetime. I think we all have.’
‘And to think those boys might’ve been your siblings. Except they wouldn’t be here, would they? Not if Patty had married Archie.’
‘What?’
Both Grace and Hope shot a look at one another and then at Granny Joy.
