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She got up and dragged herself up the stairs to the bathroom, where she washed her face and stared at herself in the mirror.

“It’ll be alright. She’s just upset…she doesn’t mean what she’s saying,” she said to herself, closing her eyes to stop thenext trickle of tears from escaping. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen.

They’d spent most of the night crying silently together, and Caz had thought that was a good sign—that they’d get through it all together. She hadn’t expected the sudden coldness from Grace.

She rooted through the cupboard for that little pot of stuff Grace used whenever she complained about looking puffy, It wasn’t there.

“Fuck.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Rather than drive in and have to lie, she left the car at home and took the bus, walking the last part of the journey. It had done her good; allowed her more opportunity to process everything and work through her sadness before she was faced with interacting with people.

Dani spotted her instantly. She was on the phone and couldn’t leave the office, but Caz could feel the eyes on her the entire way as she walked through the garage and found her toolbox.

She already knew what she was doing: Finishing off the Ford Focus she’d started the day before. New brakes, pads, and tracking; all simple enough if she could just get focused and get her head into it.

Checking it was safe, she hit the button that would raise the car up so she could get underneath it and crack on. Work would be her solace today, too.

But she should have known that small bit of peace wouldn’t last long.

“Car sorted?” Ron said. He’d bent over to look under the car at her.

“Nah, I walked in,” she said, not turning to look at him and lie to his face. “I’ll fix it later.”

“Well, we’ll say no more about it, but next time, make sure you call in. I don’t want them lot thinking you get special treatment just cos we’re family.”

“Sure. Sorry, Ron,” she said. Her hand squeezed the wrench a little harder as she twisted a bolt. “I’ll make up time in my—”

“Give over, will ya. Like I said, just call, or get Grace to call. In fact, that would be nice, she’s been quiet lately. Everything alright?”

Caz stiffened.

Grace had been quiet with everyone. She was too excited about the baby to see people and not blurt it out, so she’d just been keeping out of the way, waiting for the time when it would be safe to shout it from the rooftops. That wouldn’t happen now, though, would it?

“Yeah, you know, just the usual stuff people get busy with. I’ll tell her, though…to call you.”

“Alright, well, I’ll leave you to it then.” He walked away and Caz got back to it.

She twisted the wrench and it slipped off the bolt, her knuckle scraping across metal. “Fuck,” she hissed to herself before sucking the sore spot.

“Not your day, is it?” Dani grinned as she poked her head under. “You alright? You look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

“Seriously, are you alright?” Dani moved closer, concern written all over her face. “You look like shit.”

Ignoring the insult, Caz said, “I’m fine, yes. Just—”

“Had a row?”

Caz nodded. “Something like that.”

Someone turned the radio up and started singing along to one of the songs, making both women turn to watch for a moment.

“If you want to chat about it…” Dani said with a shrug. “I’m available.”

“I don’t, but thanks,” Caz responded. “It’s…there’s nothing to say about it right now. Just got to work things out with Grace and then it will be fine.”