I’m warning you, Dirk, you tell her or I will,” said Kate.
“Do you think she’ll believe you over me?” Kate could hear the sneering tone in his voice on the other end of the phone. Kate had heard a rumour from Pat Twomey that when Dirk was away with the rowing team in Poole he had been seen with a woman. The problem was that she didn’t know the full story.
“There’s a witness.”
“Pat was drunk. He’s making things up. He’s always been jealous of me.” He changed his tone to one of placating. “Honestly Kate, do you think I would do anything to hurt Grace? We’ve finally set a date, for God’s sake. Twomey is lying.”
Dirk sounded so genuinely upset she began to wonder if maybe Joe had only made it up to cause trouble. “Well then tell her what’s being said because it will be all over Bayrush soon and I won’t have you making a fool of my sister.”
She hung up. Jesus, maybe it was all lies. And the last thing she wanted was to upset Grace unnecessarily.
Jessie held Sam’s hand as she walked towards the school gate. Sally, Oliver’s mum, had been doing the school run for her. She could tell he was delighted that she was bringing him this morning. He chatted away happily beside her.
“Teacher promised to change our places today.”
“Isn’t that great!” she said, only half listening. She was terrified anyone would say anything to her that might make her cry. Sally waved and walked towards her.
“Morning Sam,” Sally smiled.
“I hope me and Oliver get to sit together,” said Sam. “Teacher promised to move us.” Jessie smiled and mouthed a thanks to Sally. Sally had been a rock over the past weeks, inviting Sam over for play dates with Ollie when she really needed the support.
“It’s going to be fine, chin up,” Sally whispered to her and then she said to Sam and Oliver, “Don’t be too disappointed if it doesn’t happen, okay guys?”
“Hi Jessie, I haven’t seen you all summer. What did you call your babies?” asked another mother. Seeing the look on Sally’s face the poor woman apologised and kept on walking.
“Sam and Ollie, run along into the playground now! Enjoy the day,” said Sally.
But Sam just stood looking up at Jessie; his big brown eyes began to well up. She hugged him tightly and then kissed his forehead and said, “Have a great day honey. See you at two.”
“Okay, see you later. You will be here, won’t you?”
“I promise.”
He ran off with his pal while she did everything in her power to hold it together.
“I’m glad you made him that promise Jess. It will get easier. People haven’t heard because it happened during the holidays. Come back to my house for a coffee. You’re as pale as a ghost.”
“Thanks, Sal, for everything. I will so.” She climbed into the jeep but she was shaking. It took all of her power to follow Sally, she really just wanted to go home and curl up in a ball and cry.
“Grace, I heard about a group who are into dressing up as Vikings. They’re having a night upstairs in Walton’s in Waterford. Will you come with me?” asked Kate, closing the laptop she had set up on the office table.
“Can I come?” asked Sophia, who was helping with filing.
“Brill, the more the merrier,” said Kate.
“What time?” asked Grace, busy sending an email from her laptop.
“Seven.”
“Yes, sounds interesting.”
At seven Sophia parked outside Walton’s and they were greeted by a Viking.
“Welcome ladies, follow the signs,” said a voice, from behind the masked helmet. They began to giggle like schoolgirls.
“What have you got us into Kate Fitzgerald?” laughed Grace as they climbed the stairs.
The room was full. It was a talk on the history of Ireland’s oldest city and its Viking Triangle. “A thousand years of history in a thousand paces.” The talk was very informative with a questions and answers session, after which they provided tea and coffee and time to view the work of the re-enactment group. Sophia was enthralled, chatting to a lady who had sourced and made her costume. She had even made the dye from berries, exactly as they had done in the old days. Some men wore battle armour and had made shields and the chain mail themselves.
“You really do plan to ignore me!” one of the warriors said, taking off his helmet.
“I’m sorry,” said Grace, and then she burst out laughing. “Jack, in all fairness how could I have known you, I never thought you to be the dress up type.”
“I got roped in.”
“Chained, you mean.”
They both laughed.
“I enjoyed the talk. The area is so full of history and folklore,” said Grace, taken aback by how sexy he looked in costume.
“To be honest, it’s terrible to think that I’m from here and yet I didn’t know that the Irish flag was flown for the first time here. Are you into history?”
“I’m interested in tourism. I worked in the Tourist Office for a few years.”
“So that’s why you’re here. You’re representing them.”
“No, about four years ago I set up a business with a friend. We organise ground arrangements for cruise line passengers and other groups who stay in the area.”
“So you did make it.” He smiled, his grey-green eyes looking deeply into hers, completely disconcerting her.
“Hello again,” said Sophia, joining them. “I’d hardly have recognised you. What a warrior you make!”
Grace laughed, happy to be interrupted.
“Who’s he? Gorgeous in a rugged kinda way,” Kate whispered into her ear. “I think I’ll join this group. There are a few fine-looking fellows around. They’re doing a re-enactment battle scene in the yard in a few minutes, all swords and shields and testosterone. Are you coming?”
“I’ll follow you in a minute,” said Grace, but Jack was engrossed in conversation with Sophia so she wandered over to a table where some women were displaying knitwear and braids. She began talking to them about the group. Her mind was working overtime. Wouldn’t it be great to arrange a Viking banquet scene for a cruise group? She discovered they were all volunteers who wanted to raise awareness about how the Vikings had lived. And they planned to invite other Viking groups from Northern Europe to Waterford. Some of the group had been to Norway and had had a great time exchanging ideas.
She spotted Kate in the middle of a group heading downstairs; she was laughing and in her element. Kate was so artistic and creative; this could be a great interest for her. Grace worried so much about her.
“Penny for them.”
“You really have a thing about creeping up on me.”
“Big ego or what?” He laughed. She felt the colour rise in her face.
“Hi Jack.” A pretty, blonde girl passed dressed in a linen dress of Viking times. She looked very like the girl Grace had seen on the beach. Grace felt a pang of jealousy she had never experienced before and wasn’t in the least bit happy about. What was coming over her? She looked around, desperate to leave, but Kate had gone to the yard and Sophia was talking with the historian who had given the presentation. Jack was chatting with the blonde still, so she took out her mobile and began texting the two to let them know she would see them at the car. She couldn’t stay any longer.
“Fancy a coffee,” Jack asked, coming towards her and inclining his head towards the bar, “or something stronger?”
Sophia had driven them and lately Grace had noticed even a whiff of coffee made her feel sick. “A glass of white wine would be nice, thanks.” She couldn’t believe she was doing this. Everything told her to stop. She was in a relationship. She was very happy. What the hell was she playing at … It’s a glass of wine, Grace, she told herself as she watched him walk to the bar. She’d never look at a Viking again in the same light. She sat on the bar stool while he ordered. She couldn’t help studying his face in profile. He had hardly aged. He turned just then. Sensing she had been caught, she blushed.
“So how’s what’s-his-name?” he asked, smirking.
“You mean Dirk.”
“What kind of name is Dirk?”
“His father is German, but he was born here.”
“Bet he got some slanging over that name …”
“He never said. Why are you so interested anyway?” It was a dangerous question because she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know the answer.
“Just wondered what kind of guy you’d choose – thought you might go for a bookworm.”
“Why?”
“You being such a one yourself …”
“You think you know me just because we spent a few days together twenty years ago!”
“Thought I got a handle on you …”
“Listen Jack, just because I told you things that I never told anybody else doesn’t mean you know me. We’re grown-ups now, well at least, I am!” She looked him up and down in his costume but found she was blushing even more from either temper or attraction or the bloody wine.
“Jeez Grace, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you and I never did or never will mention what you told me. I know what it’s like. My father nearly cost my family the farm because of his drinking. Well, I’m sure you already knew …”
“Hey Jack, I’m finally finished. Where’s that drink you offered me?” It was the pretty blonde again.
“This is Pam … Grace,” he said, introducing them and calling for a vodka and slimline tonic.
“Hi Grace, did you enjoy the evening? Different isn’t it!”
“Yes.” She was completely flustered. It was becoming clearer as to who had “roped” him in.
“We’re hoping to host a group from Norway soon, that’s why the boys are practising their battle skills. I’m trying to convince this guy to get involved, but at least I managed to get him to dress up tonight. Doesn’t he look the part?”
Grace didn’t know where to look and just about managed to nod in agreement and finish her glass in the same movement. The girl was in her mid-twenties and gorgeous. Jack was beaming at her.
“Listen, I’d better go. Nice to meet you Pam!” she said, getting off the bar stool and praying she wouldn’t trip as was her way when she was flustered.
“Take care, Grace,” he said.
“You too, Jack.” She couldn’t get away fast enough. She didn’t even look for Kate and Sophia. Instead she made her way downstairs to the main bar; it was busy so she went to the ladies’. Closing the cubicle she turned the toilet seat lid down and sat on it. She began to text Kate, hoping she was ready to leave too. She heard voices from the basin area – one of them was familiar. It was Sandra Payne’s sister. Her husband was on the same rowing team as Dirk.
“Pat says he’s always the same when they go away. Jesus, I can’t understand why he can’t keep it in his pants.”
“Who are you talking about?” asked the other woman.
“Our coxswain, he only has to give a girl a nod and she’d go off with him. It’s unbelievable!”
Grace’s couldn’t believe her ears. It could only be Dirk they were talking about; her head was thumping. She didn’t want to hear another word but was afraid to move.
“Isn’t he getting married next year?” asked the woman. Grace could hardly breathe now.
“Being engaged didn’t stop him. I doubt a wedding ring will make any difference.” The other woman sniggered.
“The poor girl. Someone should tell her.”
“Sure she hasn’t a clue. You’d want to see him when he’s with her, falling under and over her, it would sicken you. Did you see the state of the dress on Kate Fitzgerald …?” The bathroom door closed and there was nothing left but the sound of silence.
“What bitches!” Grace muttered. Had they seen her coming in? The cheek of them for talking about her sister like that! And what the hell was going on? Dirk … could it be true? Surely someone would have told her. She was shaking from head to toe and she felt like puking; lifting the toilet-seat lid she did. Her mobile rang. She picked it up from the floor and saw a photo of Kate’s smiling face. With hands still shaking she answered. “Where are you sis?”
“Outside, please say you’re ready to go, Grace?”
“Be there in a sec.” She clicked off, and trying to compose herself she decided not to tell Kate or Sophia what had happened. She just wanted to get home as soon as possible and after that she had no idea what the hell she was going to do.
When she walked into the living room, Dirk was lying on the couch watching TV.
“Hi darling, did you enjoy the evening?”
“Don’t you DARLING me, you miserable, fucking bastard.”
“What?” He jumped up. “What the hell is wrong? What has your sister being saying?”
“My sister … what’s my sister got to do with it?”
“Well you were out with her tonight. I told her it was all lies. Pat Twomey has always had it in for me. Spreading lies and gossip about me.”
She was shaking with rage. He was completely denying it.
“What lies Dirk? Tell me what you think I heard.”
He paused; a look of complete confusion crossed his face. And then he came towards her.
“Listen to me. There are a lot of people jealous of us, of what we have, and now that we finally set a date, things are worse. They’re saying things about me that just aren’t true. I mean, Kate heard them and asked me about it and I assured her just like I’m assuring you. They are simply not true.”
She slumped into the chair. Maybe he was telling the truth. He was always kind and supportive. It couldn’t be true. He was her solid, reliable Dirk. She had never noticed him looking at other women. Was he really capable of giving a girl “the nod” and she would go off with him? Wasn’t that all a bit childish, really? Could they have been talking about somebody else? She desperately wanted to believe that they were.
“Do you have a new coxswain?”
“What … no. Why … what are you talking about?” He was looking at her as if she’d lost it. She stood up slowly and as she walked past him, he reached for her, pleading. “Please, Grace …”
“Don’t touch me,” she said. “And don’t say another word?”
Her head was pounding as she rushed upstairs. When she reached the bedroom, she stood for a moment and looked around. Then, almost as though she had been taken over by someone else, she calmly took her carry-on bag from the wardrobe. She placed a few necessities in it. She picked up her laptop from the office and walked downstairs and out the front door, closing it to the sound of Dirk running along the hallway. The front door swung open.
“Come back Grace,” he called after her. “We can talk about this. Don’t be silly!”
But she was already in her car. She drove off. When she was a kilometre away she stopped and burst out crying. It was only nine-thirty; so much had happened in such a short space of time.
The phone rang, startling Jessie from her thoughts.
“It’s on the worktop in the kitchen,” Geoff called, from the living room.
“Jessie … it’s me.” The line was breaking up a little.
“Grace, are you okay?”
“No.”
“Where are you?”
“In the car.”
“Oh my God, did you have an accident? Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Grace … where are you and stop talking in riddles! I’m getting annoyed now.”
Jessie could hear a kind of muffled cry. “Gracey, tell me please, where are you?”
“It’s okay, don’t worry about me. You have Geoff and Sam to worry about. How did school go today?”
“Long story. Where are you?
“I’m on Bayrush beach.”
“Why are you on the beach at this hour?”
“I always liked the beach.”
“So do I but that’s not the point. I’m on my way.”
The line went dead. Geoff looked at Jessie who was still holding the phone in her hand.
“What’s the matter? What was that all about?”
“It was Grace, she’s on Bayrush beach.”
“The beach?”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be. Will you sort Sam out?”
“Of course,” said Geoff.
His face was full of concern but she didn’t want to say too much in front of Sam so she kissed them both and ruffled Sam’s hair. “I shouldn’t be too long. Dad will read you a story eh! Go get ready for bed.”
“Cool,” said Sam, running upstairs.
“Be careful,” said Geoff as she rushed out the door.
Less than ten minutes later, Jessie parked her jeep beside Grace’s car and set off across the stones piled up against the storm wall. She could see a lone figure sitting on the wall. This is crazy, she thought.
“Gracey,” she called out as she clambered up along the stones and sat beside her.
“What happened?”
The tears rolled down Grace’s face and her body shook.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to talk. We’ll just sit here, okay honey?”
Grace nodded just like a little girl and Jessie took her hand. They sat like that for ages, just watching the waves break gently onto the sand below them. Eventually Grace spoke.
“It’s Dirk – it’s over.”
“What?”
“It’s over Jessie. He cheated on me, on us.”
“Are you sure? That’s a pretty strong accusation.”
“I couldn’t be surer. It was on the rowing trip. The thought of him with someone else makes me feel sick, I had to get away.”
Jessie was stunned; she’d never have thought that Dirk would cheat. She’d had her misgivings about him being the one but never that he’d cheat. After a while Jessie said, “My ass is sore. Is yours?”
“Yes.”
“Come on back to my place. I’ll make up the spare room.”
“No, no, I’m okay. I’ll go to Mam’s.”
Jessie gave her a look.
“Okay, you’re right. I’m not up for the interrogation.”
“Let’s go.”
Grace didn’t object again. When they reached Jessie’s house, Geoff made himself scarce while Jessie boiled the kettle. Grace kept looking at her phone. It was full of missed calls and texts from Dirk. She turned it off. She began to talk about what had happened and then she finally asked. “Did you ever hear rumours, Jess?”
“Never.”
“Coz Kate did.”
“Oh, and did Kate tell you?”
“No.”
“Maybe you should ring her.”
“Not tonight. I’ve had as much as I can take for one evening. I’m such a fool Jess. I mean to overhear people talking about him in the city – thirty kilometres from Bayrush. Oh Jess I love him. I never doubted him.” She finished her tea. “I need sleep.”
They made up the spare room together in silence. Jessie pulled the bedroom door closed and walked down the landing. She couldn’t believe what had happened; how come they had never heard that Dirk was such a cheat? How two-faced could he be? She wondered was it actually true or just vicious rumours. He was one of those people you could love or hate. He was hard to be indifferent to. Maybe tomorrow would bring more clarity; they were all too upset to think straight tonight.
Kate arrived at Grace’s house. Dirk’s car was still in the drive, which was unusual. And Grace’s wasn’t. Not over thinking things, she parked her ten-year-old banger next to Dirk’s shiny Audi. She really was taking the look off the place, she thought as she rang the doorbell. It swung open.
“You, you have the nerve to show your face here after all the trouble you’ve caused. I told you it was lies and yet you go and ruin mine and Grace’s life. It wasn’t enough for you to ruin your own with your pathetic drug taking. Jealousy … is a terrible trait, Kate Fitzgerald.”
The door slammed. Kate stood transfixed to the spot. She couldn’t believe her ears. She turned and fled to her car, shaking. She drove away wondering where in God’s name was Grace. Automatically she drove towards Bayrush and Jessie’s house. Jessie’s jeep was coming down the drive as Kate drove up. They stopped beside one another.
“I’m dropping Sam to school,” said Jessie, nodding towards the backseat where Sam was. “The kettle is boiled. She’s in the kitchen.”
“Cheers Jess, see you in a while.” Kate knew that Jessie wouldn’t say anything in front of Sam. Her heart was pounding. What had Dirk told Grace? How had all of this happened? Oh God, please let my sister be okay.
When she walked in the back door Grace and Geoff were sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea. Geoff got up.
“Hi Kate, I’m off to do a bit. See you later. There’s tea in the pot. Help yourself.”
Grateful, she took a mug from the rack and poured it, and then she joined Grace at the table. Grace looked up and she could see that her sister mustn’t have slept a wink.
“You knew and didn’t tell me, Kate.”
“I didn’t know for sure Grace. I rang him and told him to talk to you about a rumour I had heard.”
“Well he didn’t and I had to go through the indignity of overhearing about my fiancé’s infidelity in a city thirty kilometres from Bayrush. And it’s not the first time. I keep replaying the conversation I overheard in my head. Quote ‘He’s always the same when we go away. Jesus I can’t understand why he can’t keep it in his pants.’ Did you know that too and think it wasn’t important enough to tell me?”
“Hey, just wait a second Grace. I know you’re angry but it’s not me you should be angry with. All I heard was that when he was in Poole recently he was seen with a bargirl outside a club in a questionable situation. It’s not exactly a lot to go on. And that asshole can talk his way out of most situations. That’s why I rang him to ask him to explain it to you in case something like this happened.”
Grace sat still with her shoulders slumped. Kate didn’t know what to do next so she stayed quiet which was not her way.
“Kate, tell me it’s not all around Bayrush that he’s been making a fool of me for years.”
“I can’t answer that Grace because it was only by chance that I heard about that incident. I mean, let’s be honest, who is going to tell me – I’m your sister. Anyway does it matter? Today’s news – tomorrow’s chip wrapping. Since when did you care what people say? It’s what you’re going to do next that’s important.”
“I feel such a fool Kate. How long has it taken me to finally set a date? Dad leaving … never really being sure of a man. I had so many trust issues. Always wondering would I be let down and now it’s happened. I will never trust a man again. How stupid am I?”
“Stop, Gracey,” said Kate, getting up to hug her big sister. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Look at me. I’m a jealous junkie or so your fiancé has just informed me. Now that’s what I call issues.”
Grace smiled through her tears. “When did that happen?”
“Oh, just this morning when my big sister forgot to inform me that the shit had hit the fan and I walked right in to it!”
“Oh Kate, nothing ever puts you down.”
“Not any more. Gracey. Thanks to you and to Jessie. Never again. Life is too short. Now go up and get dressed, we have a shitload of work to do.”
Grace had asked Jessie to collect some clothes, files and other essentials from the house. She knew she was being childish but she just couldn’t face Dirk yet. She had stayed in Jessie’s all week.
“My car is here so much, Jessie. People will talk.”
“Let them. When they’re talking about you they’re leaving somebody else alone.”
“No, seriously Jess, I’ll have to move out. It’s not fair on you and Geoff.”
“Take all the time you need,” Jessie assured her.
“Thanks, Jess. How are you doing? I heard you walking around again last night.”
Jessie sighed. “I have a riding lesson now. I have to just get on with it Grace.”
Grace just nodded as Jessie said, “See you later.” And she disappeared quickly out the back door.
Tidying the breakfast dishes Grace thought so much had changed in both of their lives in just three months. The daytime wasn’t so bad because she was busy. But her nights were awful. It felt like somebody had physically removed her heart. She was angry, hurt and confused and she could hardly eat. Breaking up was one hell of a way to lose weight, she thought. But it was time. She picked up her mobile phone and after three rings, he answered.
“Dirk.”
“Oh, Grace,” he stammered. “How are you …?”
“Can I call over sometime soon?”
“Yeah, great, how is tonight?”
“Seven o’clock.”
“Okay, see you then.”
She felt nauseous and ran to the bathroom to be sick.
“Come in,” said Dirk. “Are you hungry? I have some food. It’s your favourite, stuffed pork steak.”
Grace threw her eyes to heaven and said, “Thanks but I’ve eaten, Dirk. We need to talk.”
“Yes, we do.”
“What about a tea or a coffee?”
“Tea, thanks.”
She watched him walk across the kitchen to boil the kettle. The realisation hit her that she had given so much of herself to him and to this house. Buying it had been such a wonderful time in their relationship, shopping and decorating it together. He had been more into it than her and now they would have to sort it all out.
He placed the tray down on the kitchen table, and seeing the pottery mugs she remembered the day they bought them in a quaint little pottery workshop in the West of Ireland. Hold it together, she thought.
“Look Grace, can we please try again? I really am sorry but all the times you went on trips don’t tell me you didn’t …”
She looked at him in amazement and jumped up. “Dirk, YOU ARE THE PITS. You bastard. Some crazy part of me hoped that none of it was true. You are so in the wrong you can’t even defend yourself. You’ve called people liars and the way you spoke to my sister is unforgivable. IT IS SO OVER.” She stormed down the hall. He ran after her, shouting.
“It would never have happened if you had agreed to marry me sooner.”
She turned and with eyes blazing said, “I can’t believe you Dirk. Do you honestly think that a wedding ring would have made you keep it in your pants? So this is NOW all my fault?”
“No, I’m not saying that …”
“And for the record I never fooled around with anybody else ever. More fool me by the sounds of it!”
“Look, let’s not do this. Can’t we just try again? I love you, Grace. I always will. I am so sorry.”
“Dirk, I am devastated by this. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. But some day I will wake up and feel okay again. I will never forgive you. I’ll pick up my clothes and things when you’re not here. Sell this place.” She walked out, slamming the door behind her.
It was a bright September evening and her life was falling apart. She knew moving out was a rash decision but she couldn’t bear to be in that house for another second. They’d never get what they paid for it. She’d be in debt forever. It might even put her business in jeopardy but she didn’t care. She could not stay there. She drove to Bayrush beach – it was her sanity. She opened the car door and an overwhelming feeling flooded her. She held onto the storm wall and then puked. “Oh my God,” she said aloud.
“Are you all right love?” asked an elderly lady who had been walking her dog. Grace nodded. “If you’re sure,” the lady said but even as she walked away she kept looking back.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine thanks.” Grace was mortified, making her way back to sit in the car until her equilibrium was restored. Looking out at the calm sea steadied her and after a few minutes she got out of the car again to walk along the shoreline.
She watched as two teenage boys set up their fishing stands on the sand and found herself wondering what kind of fish they would catch. There was so much she didn’t know. She wanted to fill her mind with things of no consequence. Maybe that was why her stomach was in knots. Where was she going to live? What had she done? You weren’t supposed to move out – wasn’t that the advice that people gave? She hadn’t done anything wrong and yet she was now homeless. “You are some fool Grace Fitzgerald,” she muttered.
She was exhausted yet she’d hardly walked 500 metres. She sat down on a flat-topped rock. The stench of rotten seaweed added to her nausea. She had to get it together but it was too late; she vomited again.
“That’s gross!” said one of the teenagers.
“Cut her a break boy,” said the other, adding, “Hey lady are you okay?”
She waved a hand in his direction. “Just had a few too many last night!”
“Cool. I know the feeling.” They both grinned at her, pleased with her explanation. What the hell was wrong with her, she wondered. She thought of Sophia; maybe she might have something to settle her tummy. She was staying just up the road. Her two-week vacation had run into four and she still didn’t seem to have any plans to leave.
Ten minutes later Grace knocked on Sophia’s door. “I just couldn’t go back to Jessie’s tonight, she has so much to deal with already. I didn’t want Sam to see me upset and I don’t have the strength to act. Not tonight anyway.”
“You don’t need an excuse to be here, Gracey.” Sophia hugged her. “Come in, honey.”
The turf fire was lighting in the open plan living area. Sophia went to the kitchenette and took two glasses from the press and a bottle of wine from the rack.
“None for me thanks, Sophia. My tummy isn’t the best. It’s cosy in here,” remarked Grace.
“Yes, too cosy sometimes!”
“Are you staying around then?”
“Yes, at least for another few weeks. I’m enjoying my time here.”
“Good, I’m glad.”
“I’m glad you’re glad.”
“We’re beginning to sound ridiculous,” said Grace from where she lay on the couch with one of the throws Sophia had bought wrapped around her. “I’m going to look for a place to rent tomorrow.”
“Do you want some company?”
“Yeah, that would be nice.”
“Grace, you can stay here for a while. I could use the company.”
“That’s so kind of you, Sophia. Maybe I could take you up on the offer just for a few days. I’m not ready to tell Mam yet and it’s not fair to intrude any longer on Jessie and Geoff. I was so angry this evening that I told Dirk to put the house up for sale. We’ll never get what we paid for it. God, I just don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Take your time, Grace. Don’t make any rash decisions. Maybe there is some reasonable explanation. Have you talked it out?”
“Sophia, I thought maybe it was all lies. Some crazy part of me was nearly prepared to forgive him. I had thought that maybe the guy had mixed Dirk up with someone else. Instead I found out it wasn’t just once. Dirk actually thinks it’s okay to sleep around when he’s away with the lads on weekends. That bastard even had the nerve to say that some women make a big deal about boys’ weekends away and how he hoped that I wouldn’t change when we were married. I trusted him completely. What a fool I am and a lousy judge of character. There is no turning back. I never want to see or speak to him again.”