Read Online Hand On Heart: Sequel to Head Over Heels by Sara Downing - Free Book Online Page B

word yet, both sat riveted to ‘Shazza’s’ story.  Grace started to feel a bit sorry for them; they actually looked like decent guys and she was sure they hadn’t been expecting this.
    ‘An’ then, me mam said, like, ‘Shazza, you’s gotta get yourself a new man, you ‘as.  Good one this time.  No more kids, though, you’s got enough of them my luvvie.’  An’ then I met Dave, goodun ‘e was.  Three more I popped out, all in the space of three years.  But tragedy is, you see, I’s single again now.  Been lookin’ for a nice man, so happen it’s good luck we spotted you two.  A girl shouldn’t be lonely, should she?’  She gave the two men an ear-to-ear grin, and chose one of them to wink at.
    Suddenly there were two empty glasses in front of the men, which only moments before Grace could have sworn were almost full. 
    ‘What time did you say you needed to be back?’ man number one asked man number two, looking nervously at his watch.
    ‘Oh, damn, we’re late, better get cracking,’ man number two replied. 
    ‘Nice talking to you, ladies,’ said man number one, as the pair of them stood up.  The only time Grace had ever seen men leave a pub as quickly as that was when there had been a fire alarm.
    The two friends collapsed into fits of giggles. 
    ‘Didn’t know you could do such a brilliant Welsh accent,’ Grace laughed.  ‘Crackin’ that was.’
    ‘Too many wasted hours watching ‘Gavin and Stacey.’’  She was back in the accent.  ‘Nice champagne, though.  Poor blokes, I am naughty, aren’t I?’
    Steve came over to take the empty glasses. 
    ‘Nice work, ‘Shazza,’’ he laughed.  ‘Heard every word of that, you made my night, you did!  Although shouldn’t I be telling you off for scaring customers out of my pub?’
    It took Grace a while to recover her composure.  ‘You deserve an Oscar, you do.  God, I’d forgotten just how funny you can be!’
    ‘Yeah, wasted as a stay at home mum, aren’t I?  Should be up there on the stage with the likes of Miranda, I should.’
    ‘You’re hilarious.’  She sighed, coming back down to earth.  ‘So, how’s everyone?’  She saw Rosie and Alex, albeit briefly, on every school day, but missed Millie, who had left the previous year to move up to the senior school. Bertie would be joining the Reception class in September.  Grace was glad her friend’s children would be there for a few years yet, as it meant she would continue to see plenty of her without Mark by her side, which made life easier.  Grace never liked to ask directly after him, it just seemed wrong somehow, but she cared enough to want to know that he was happy.  And why wouldn’t he be, he had Alex, a wonderful marriage, and a new family.  Just like she did.
    ‘Mark’s working long hours again.’  Alex sighed.  Grace knew all about Mark and his dedication to his job, although she thought the arrival of Bertie had definitely mellowed him.  He did seem to be prioritising his family life now, which was how it should be.  ‘But maybe that has something to do with his mum still being with us.  If he thinks he’s had enough, he should try being there with her all day, like I am.’
    ‘So what’s happening there?  Are they getting a divorce?  It’s so sad when couples split up at that age, after a lifetime together.’
    ‘Well, I think she’d like to go back to Bruce really, but her pride won’t let her at the moment.  She wants to make him suffer for a while.  But meanwhile, it’s us lot taking the flak.  She sits around moping all day, so no wonder Mark is coming home late.  I would, given half a chance.’
    ‘It’s not right that he leaves it all to you, though.  She’s his mother, after all.  And she’s not an easy one, either.’
    ‘I know.  Mark’s going down to London next week to talk to his dad, see what he can do.  Anyway, enough of all this serious stuff.  Look at those two over there; shall we be Shazza and