Free Waiting for Grace by Hayley Oakes Page B

didn’t leave you, he just never met you, remember. You’ll meet him for the first time tonight.”
    “Do you think he’ll like me?” she asked.
    “I think he’ll love you.” I squeezed her. “Is this all okay? Shall I stay off work and we can talk more?”
    “No.” She turned back to her mirror. “Maria is taking us to the park and the Pizza Hut buffet.”
    “Oh, well then.” I rolled my eyes, smiling. “I’d just be in the way,”
    “No, mum.” She laughed. I hugged her from behind as she concentrated on a high ponytail.
    “Need any help?” I asked.
    “No,” she sighed, offended. “Ponytails are easy.”
    “Of course.” I laughed. “I’ll make us a snack and then I’m setting off for work okay?”
    “Okay!” she shouted.
    As I left her room Maria and Max walked back in. “Okay?” she asked breezily with wide eyes, arms laden with shopping bags.
    I smiled and nodded. “No issues.”
    “Of course not.” She smiled. “She’s adaptable like her mother.”
     
    ***
     
    Maria was going to get Devon ready. Robert would pick me up at six and then we would drive to collect her. I was looking for him anxiously from about half past five. Even after all these years, he still made me nervous. I desperately wanted to be near him, wanted to speak to him, to see him, and yet it could never be the same as it had been. I was so busy, and Groucher was in a foul mood. He was barking orders so that Anna and I were running to and from the kitchen like mad women. I didn’t notice straight away when Robert sat at the bar, but as I hurried past him, I glanced up and our eyes caught. My heart raced and I inwardly gasped, hoping he didn’t see. He smiled shyly and looked down. I smiled and carried on walking to the table I was serving. He wore dark blue jeans, a light grey woollen coat, over a dark jumper, and black leather dress shoes. His blonde hair was unruly and he had the twinkle back in his blue eyes. I must have looked a sight in my uniform, with my fringe plastered to my head and day old make up worn away.
    “You want a drink?” I asked as I walked back past, getting my breath back.
    “No thanks,” he replied as he shook his head. He seemed nervous. I nodded and walked to the kitchen.
    As I pushed through the door Anna was waiting. “Three times in three days. Boy’s got it bad.” She smirked.
    “What’s this?” Groucher asked.
    “Bloody Grace has that gorgeous blonde man waiting for her again.”
    Groucher raised an eyebrow, “Not like you to get a boyfriend, Grace,” he said.
    “Hey, he’s not my boyfriend, and what’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Nothing.” Groucher shook his head and looked back to his orders.
    “He means,” Anna said in a whisper, leaning in whilst holding two plates ready to head out the door, “that you never gave him the time of day, and no wonder if you have hotties like the blonde on your tail.”
    “Hey …” I frowned, shaking my head. She really was a nosey cow. Perhaps meeting Robert here wasn’t a great idea. I helped Anna close down the rush for the next ten minutes and stole glances at Robert. He played on his phone and nursed a Coke, ordering one after all. Eventually the rush died down, and I made my way into the back to get my coat. I splashed my face with water in the small wash-basin in the staff room and applied some mascara and perfume.
    “Have fun,” Groucher shouted as I left, “with your friend!” He said it sarcastically and I winced. I really must have led the life of a nun up until now for them to be so interested in an old friend who had met me just three times at work.
    “Ready?” Robert asked, jumping off his stool when he saw me walk out with my coat on. I nodded, and he reached out his arm to guide me to the door.
    “Bye, Grace!” Anna shouted. I waved behind me.
    “Urgh,” I said as we stepped in to the cold. “They’re all so nosey.” I laughed.
    “Really?” he raised an eyebrow. “Men don’t wait for you