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“I love you,” Grace said. “You have always been my stability—my safe space.”

The words hit Caz harder than she thought they would, piercing deeper inside and awakening the part of her she’d been trying to shut down, the part that wanted more from this.

“I know, back at ya.” She let go of her grip on Grace, the movement making Grace step back and create space between them. “I was thinking I’d get this washing on and then give the house a quick hoover. You want to grab a bath?”

Grace smiled. “Might as well…one last relaxing evening before work tomorrow.”

“Those houses won’t sell themselves,” Caz joked, turning away to open the drawer for washing liquids. She closed her eyes and swallowed down the need to just spurt out her feelings. “I’ll bring you up a cup of tea.”

Strong arms reached around her again, the warmth of Grace’s body pressing against her back. Caz placed her hands over those clasped around her.

“You’re the best.”

“Nah, but I am doing my best.” Caz squeezed her hands. “And I’ll always do my best for you, and our family.”

“I appreciate you so much,” Grace said, laying her cheek against Caz’s shoulder. “You know that, right?”

Caz nodded. “Yes. I do.”

“Good. If you ever feel like you need more from me, you just have to say so, right?”

For a moment, Caz wasn’t sure what she meant. Her mind moved quickly through the words again, but before she could come up with a response, Grace added, “If I’m not being supportive, or I’m nagging too much, you’ll say so?”

Caz let go of the breath she’d been holding. “Yeah, but that’s not going to happen.” She shrugged. “We’re best friends, we already know all this.”

They stood still and silent for a moment and then, when it felt like it was becoming awkward, Caz released Grace’s hands, and the movement allowed Grace to pull away, a cold draught filling the space between them.

“Okay, I’m going to go and get ready to meet the girls. You sure you’ll be alright on your own? Don’t you want to meet up with Dani?” Grace asked. A last-minute plan to go for a drink with her friends was in store for that evening.

“I might see if she wants to come over and watch a film. I’m not really in the mood for going out.”

“Fair enough.” Grace kissed her cheek, grinned, and then she turned and left the room, leaving Caz to slump against the counter. She pressed her finger and thumb into her eyes, puffed out her cheeks and breathed out.

“You can do this,” she told herself. “You can do this.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Grace slid into the booth at Banjo’s and reached for the large gin and tonic she’d ordered. Pushing aside the floating sprig of rosemary with the straw, she took a long sip and giggled.

“You’re drunk already,” Cressida accused with an endearing grin on her face.

“I am not.” Grace faked her disgust at such an accusation. “I’ve only had three. It will take at least another two before I’m calling Caz to rescue me.”

“Ah, and how is the lovely Caz…still keeping you well-oiled under the bonnet?” Jane winked and everyone laughed at the not-so-subtle innuendo.

Grace pulled a face. “Trust me, I get my needs met,” she said with all the belief that it was true, because it was, wasn’t it? Caz was more than a sufficient partner.

“Oh…do tell. We’re all dying to know if it really is all it’s cracked up to be,” Cressida chimed in.

“Yes, I’ve told Greg it’s a possibility that if he doesn’t pull his socks up, I, too, might jump the late-bloomer train to Lesville,” Sandra said, instantly blushing and sucking on her straw as all eyes turned to her.

“Trouble at mill?” Jane asked, and Grace was grateful for the conversation to steer away from her own sex life…or lack of it.

“No, not really, I just…don’t you ever just look at them and think, ‘Do I even fancy you?’”

Cressida shrugged. “I think that’s just how relationships go…you spend all your time with someone and suddenly, you’re seeing all their flaws—”

“Not me,” Grace piped up, “Caz is wonderful.”