Grace's dream was a career in the fashion industry. But while she's finally pursuing that dream, her personal life remains a nightmare. Will she be able to escape an abusive relationship? And will she be able to find happiness and maybe true love?
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One of the first things I do when I come back to Manchester is meet Rúben to go to the gym together. Compared to him, it seems like I'm not doing much but I'm really happy with the exercise routine I've been doing since leaving London.
"Do you want to come to my match tomorrow?", asks Rúben when we are trying to decide which machine to use first.
"Sure! It's at 8 pm right? I should be able to make it in time".
"Yes, 8. You can take a friend with you if you want, I can leave more tickets for you".
"Pretty sure I can find someone who wants a free Champions League ticket", I laugh. "But if you score, you have to dedicate the goal to me".
"Oh yeah? Well, I'm a defender so don't be mad if I don't".
"I won't", I assure him.
"What should I do to dedicate it to you?"
"What?"
"The dedication".
"Rúben, it was a joke. You don't have to...".
"I want to. Should I do a G?", he asks, trying to do one with his hand. "It looks a bit funny".
I can't help but laugh at him trying to do my initial. A C will be easier.
"Eleven".
"Eleven what?"
"That's the celebration. Both your index fingers", I say, grabbing his hands to show him what I mean, "and you do an eleven. It's my favourite number".
"Ok, then", he says smiling.
"Now you only need to score".
"Weirder things have happened".
**
Back home, I realize I haven't done a video call with my parents recently so I decide to spend the next hour doing that.
"Hi Grace! Wait a second. Your mum is in the shower. I'll tell her to hurry up".
"No, dad. I can wait. Don't...".
But he's already left and I can hear him trying to communicate with my mum over the sound of the shower.
"She'll be here soon".
"That's ok, dad. I don't mind talking to just you that much".
He laughs at my joke. "Where is my granddaughter?"
"Here", I say, lifting Luna so he can see her. "You need to visit soon to see her again".
"We will. But tell me, how is everything going? Any news?"
"Not really", I tell him. "Just working a lot".
"Any new friends?", I hear my mum asking.
"The same ones I had the last time you asked".
"Oh well".
Same as Andy, my mum thinks the best way for me to deal with my break-up is to find another man. I wonder what she'd think of my friendship with Rúben. And also, what she'd think of him if I told her I think I have feelings for someone and that someone is him? As much as she likes to joke about me finding a boyfriend, mainly to annoy my dad who still sees me as his little girl, I know she worries. Any man that I ever get close to will have to pass her test, and she's not going to make it easy for them this time.
We talk for a long time, just chatting about work and future plans we both have. And once they are done telling Luna she's the best and prettiest cat, I hang up and start trying to decide what to wear tomorrow.
