Free Breaking Point by Frank Smith Page B

yard. Almost six! He’d meant to leave earlier, but it seemed there was always just one more thing to be done before he could tear himself away.
    How very different things were now, he thought as he drove out of the yard. Before Grace Lovett had come into his life, he’d spent many of his evenings at work simply to avoid returning to an empty house. But now, with Grace there to welcome him, it was a completely different story.
    If
Grace was there to welcome him. It was a sobering thought, and one he did not welcome, but it refused to go away.
    Grace had been working late a lot these past few weeks. Her job as a SOCO analyst was a demanding one, as was his own, but it was happening far too often for his liking, especially as he wasn’t convinced that she was fully recovered from her encounter with Mary Carr a few short months ago. She’d made light of it, insisting that she was fine, but
something
wasn’t right, and if not that, what was it?
    â€˜I think I should have a word with Charlie,’ he’d said at breakfast one morning. ‘I know you’re short-handed, and he depends on you for analysis, but I think he’s forgotten just how bad that experience was for you at New Year. I’m sure SOCO could get along without you if you took some time off.’
    But Grace had demurred. ‘It won’t be for long,’ she assured him. ‘And Charlie has been more than understanding. Besides, I feel perfectly fine. The psychologist pronounced me fit for work, and I don’t want it to look as if you’re asking for special treatment for me.’
    â€˜And the dreams?’ he said. ‘You know you’ve not been sleeping well.’
    An impish smile crossed Grace’s face. ‘And whose fault is that?’ she teased. ‘Not that I’m complaining.’
    He hadn’t been able to stop himself from smiling in return, even though he knew that Grace had deliberately turned the conversation. God, he loved that woman, but he still found it hard to believe that she was in love with him. And looking back, he simply couldn’t understand how he could have been so blind for so long. So much wasted time. But at least they were together now, and he couldn’t be happier – except for the nagging thought that
something
was worrying Grace. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there were times when he would catch a glimpse of a haunted look in her lovely eyes – gone instantly the moment he asked her what was wrong.
    â€˜Just a bit tired, that’s all,’ she’d say, and start talking about something else.
    â€˜I think the sooner you get rid of that flat in Friar’s Walk, the better,’ he’d said one evening. Even now, the very thought of what had happened there sent shivers down his spine, and it must surely do the same for Grace.
    â€˜Except there’s a stiff penalty for breaking the lease,’ she reminded him.
    â€˜Better that and be rid of it than paying rent for another six months on a flat you’re not using,’ he’d countered. But Grace had seemed reluctant to talk about it, and he’d dropped the subject, afraid of stirring up the very memories he so desperately wished she could banish from her mind.
    What he couldn’t banish from his own mind was the fear that Grace’s reluctance to get rid of the flat was prompted by her desire to keep her options open. He was as sure as anyone could be that she loved him, but perhaps the transition had been too sudden after leaving hospital, and she needed time to get used to it. Perhaps she was afraid that living together would deprive her of the independence she’d enjoyed for so many years.
    He hoped Grace wouldn’t be late again tonight.
    But there was no car in the driveway when he arrived. Disappointed, he climbed the steps to the front door, where he paused for a couple of minutes to look down the empty road before going inside.
    He shed