Waiting for Grace Read Online Free Page A

I bet he hardly thought of me now, but how could I not remember him every day when I looked at our daughter? Devon was the spitting image of her father, and it hurt that he didn’t know how amazing she was.
    The bus approached my stop for work, and I wondered when I would stop reliving my brief encounter with Owen. I pulled my coat up to block out the chills and made my way to Groucher’s. I loved the familiarity of my job, and it drew the tourists in which meant good tips, especially from the Americans. I pushed through the door and made my way to the kitchen; it was quieter than yesterday. I knew it would soon fill up and mentally I planned what I would have for lunch today and what time I would get a break. Then, as I put my hand forward to push the door open, Lyndsey jumped in front of me.
    She was probably my closest friend at work. She had worked there almost a year and she liked the early shifts and me the late, so we got on well.
    “Erm … Grace,” she whispered under her breath, “You have a visitor, he’s been here since like eight, drunk shit loads of coffee and, oh God, he’s seen you. He’s coming over.” I digested the information and turned to see the figure stand up from a booth in the window. The low-lying sunshine silhouetted him, and I couldn’t see his face, but I knew who it was instantly. He made his way to me, and I just stood in front of the kitchen door, too stunned to move, like a deer caught in the headlights.
    “Grace,” he said as he made his way swiftly to face me. “Hi.” He smiled down at me as I looked into his eyes, dumbfounded.
    “Robert,” I breathed. “Erm …” I looked at Lyndsey who was drinking in the whole encounter, eyes wide. I smiled at her tightly and then threw my coat and bag at her. “Please, would you put these in the staff room?” I urged her. She nodded and left.
    “Grace,” he said again, stepping closer to me. “It is you!”
    “Of course.” I laughed nervously.
    “You look so different, your hair it’s so … dark.” I ran my hand through my hair and smiled.
    “It’s been a while,” I said.
    “I know,” he looked down, his eyes not leaving mine, “I just wanted to see you. Owen said he’d seen you, and I just wanted to … come see you, too.”
    I nodded but was at a loss for words.
    “How have you been?” he asked. I looked around for prying eyes and took his arm leading him back to his booth. The feel of his arm and the ease of our movement made my heart flip. He sat down, and I sat across from him.
    “So how have you been?” he asked again when we were seated.
    “Great.” I smiled at him. “I’ve always been fine.”
    “I’m so glad, after that day that I left … I’ve always hoped you were okay, always wondered where you were.”
    “So you drove all the way here?” I laughed and continued, “From Poulton, to check on me?”
    “No,” he shook his head, “I’ve been in London for years, always hoping I’d bump into you one day and bloody Owen does it.” He shook his head. “Boy gets all the luck.” We both smiled at each other affectionately; the thought of his family made me warm inside. I continued to watch him but was conscious where we were.
    “Look, I’ve got to get to work,” I said remembering myself, and curbing my emotions before they seeped onto the table between us.
    “Yes,” he jumped up, “I shouldn’t keep you, as I said, I just wanted to check in.” He looked at me solemnly.
    “Look, I finish at six and perhaps …”
    “Yes,” he nodded.
    I smiled, “A drink?”
    “Or dinner?” he said. “A catch up?”
    “Long overdue.” I nodded.
    “I’d love to.” He smiled; it spread over his face into a grin. I was captivated by his face; the face that had surprised me in long grass all those years ago. His face was more rugged. He had laughter lines these days and he had filled out a bit, but those blue eyes still shone through. I nodded and watched as he left, I sighed and Lyndsey