Page 22

Whispering to one another, they shared light kisses on cheeks and lots of staring into each other’s eyes whenever Ron or Lila was watching too intently.

The initial embarrassment when Ron had asked, “So, good night’s sleep?” without thinking, had surpassed, and Grace had allowed Caz to make a witty comment back. Her dad’scheeks had gone bright beetroot as soon as he’d realised what he’d asked, but he got over it.

“It don’t feel right, you not having a honeymoon,” Lila said, when coffee had arrived and Ron was eyeing up the breakfast buffet.

They’d talked about the honeymoon at length, and though they’d both agreed a break would be nice, they also knew how much having a baby was going to cost and decided it was money they didn’t want to waste.

“We’ve got other stuff we want to get done,” Grace said. They hadn’t mentioned to anyone else about starting a family. They’d both decided there was no point until there was something to tell them.

“Like what? The house is immaculate,” Ron chipped in, having spent most weekends round there, painting walls and hanging paper.

They’d had to move all of Grace’s stuff into Caz’s room for the duration of the upstairs getting decorated. And then they’d moved it all into Grace’s room while Caz’s room was done, with Caz having to get up early and make sure her bed was made before Ron and the boys got there. Then they had to move all of Caz’s stuff back when it was all finally finished.

“We’re thinking about a hot tub in the garden,” Caz said as nonchalantly as you like, while stifling a yawn when she felt Grace stiffen.

Lila’s face lit up. “Oh, that would be nice… Can just see you two frolicking in there.” She winked.

Grace blushed, but said nothing when Caz took her hand, raised it, and kissed it. “Yeah, that’s what we thought.”

“Honeymoon phase.” Grace smiled.

Ron’s face edged towards beetroot again. “On that note, I’ll get some breakfast. Caz?”

“Hm?” Caz said, tearing her eyes away from mooning over Grace. “Oh, breakfast? Yes, starving, shall I get you something too, babe?”

Grace grinned at the nickname that was becoming quite regularly used lately.

“Would you?” she said in her most demure way, eyelashes batting for good effect.

“Of course, darling, anything for my wife.” Caz waggled her brows. “The full works, or starting with the pastries and making your way around?”

“Hm…choices. Surprise me.”

She continued watching as Caz and her father walked away, happily chatting.

“Can’t keep your eyes off her, can you?” Her mum smiled when Grace turned quickly. “It’s alright, you’re allowed to ogle. She’s your gorgeous wife.”

“Yes.” She turned back to look at Caz once more. “She is.”

Chapter Ten

August 2024

“I still can’t believe you’re getting married,” Dani said. She was leaning on the wing and staring down through the engine at Caz.

“Well, I can’t believe I got you a job here and you haven’t fucked it up, but we live and learn,” Caz said sarcastically, but with a grin on her face.

“I know.” Dani grinned back. “But…still—you, married…I just can’t imagine it.”

“Why not?” Caz asked. “Pass the ten, will you.”

Dani leaned across to the toolbox and found the relevant wrench. “This one?”

Caz peered up. “Yep.” She squeezed her fingers through the gap and caught it when Dani dropped it.

“Because…it’s Grace.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”