Hand On Heart: Sequel to Head Over Heels Read Online Free Page B

to keep it light-hearted and not to get into any kind of deep and meaningful discussion.
    ‘Well, pregnancy suits, you,’ he went on.  ‘You look amazing.’  Grace could feel herself blushing.  Compliments from her ex?  During pregnancy?  It was all so wrong. Especially when she felt so un-amazing.
    Mark crossed the room bearing an antique mantle clock and added it to Grace’s pile of possessions.
    ‘No, that one has to be yours,’ Grace said again.  ‘You bought that with your bonus one year, remember?  Keep it.  Please.’
    Arguing over a clock here, a picture frame there, possessions which now held no tie for Grace, wasn’t really something that she wanted to have to deal with now.  To be honest she would have been quite happy to take just her personal effects and leave the rest for Mark.  But he had been insistent that she have her share, even if all she did was subsequently sell it on.  Maybe he felt that, because she had been so fair about splitting the proceeds from the house sale, he should treat its contents in the same way.  Quite frankly, Grace would have preferred to get the house clearance people in instead and simply be presented with a cheque at the end of the process.
    ‘Awww, look at this,’ Mark said dreamily, holding up a photo of the two of them that had slipped from between some books.  It showed them on holiday in the South of France, probably in the first couple of years of their relationship.  Grace was surprised to see him so sentimental, given all that had happened recently. ‘That was a gorgeous place, wasn’t it?’ Mark went on, smiling at her.  What was he playing at? 
    ‘I can’t do all this memory lane stuff, Mark, I’m sorry,’ Grace said, heaving herself to her feet.  She would go and sort out some things in one of the bedrooms and leave Mark to it down here.  If he wanted to wallow in the past, he would have to do it alone. 
    As she passed through the hallway there was a knock at the door. 
    ‘Frannie!’ Grace exclaimed, letting her in.  ‘Great to see you, how are you?  How’s Gerald?’
    ‘Oh I’ve left him mowing the lawn.  You know how particular he is.  Likes to get it just right, and I’m only in the way.’  She smiled fondly, quite obviously still so very loved up with her new husband.  And so she should be, thought Grace.  The fact that this elderly lady had found love finally, in her old age, was still a source of immense pleasure for Grace.  It just went to show there is someone for everyone, even if you have to wait almost your entire lifetime to find them.  ‘I saw your car on the drive and thought I’d just pop over and see if you’re OK with, well, everything.’
    Frannie looked so well.  Clearly married life suited her, and for someone who had never shared her living space with anyone else, she was adapting very well to the day to day trials – and rewards – of a conjugal life.  Good for her, Grace thought, pleased to see her so happy. 
    ‘Yes, I’m fine,’ she replied, rolling her eyes in the general direction of Mark, who stood awkwardly in the doorway.  ‘Glad you’re here, actually, Frannie,’ Grace went on, leading Frannie through to the kitchen and putting the kettle on.  She looked across at Mark, hoping he would take the hint and leave the two women alone.  He did, and disappeared out through the patio doors, off to his shed. ‘I have something I’d like to ask you.’ 
    ‘Oh, how exciting,’ said the old lady, settling herself down in the kitchen chair.
    ‘Tom and I would be honoured if you would be Godmother to one of the twins.  To our daughter, actually.  I know it’s still a while to go and all that, but I like to be organised, you know me!’
    ‘Oh Grace, darling, that’s so lovely of you to ask.  But why would you young things want some old battle-axe like me? God knows I might not even be around to see the little darlings born, let alone do all those Godmotherly things a