Whispers of Fate

ix

I was always glad to be back on British soil. It's not that I didn't love travelling, just that the smell of fresh British air when you first step out of the plane was unmatched.

Jake was waiting for me in his beaten blue car, the one he'd had since university. He could afford to buy a new one, that much was evident by the lavish dates he'd taken me on to woo me. I think he just didn't like change.

He drove me back to my flat and gave me a goodnight kiss at the door of the building. He didn't follow me up, didn't want to give the wrong impression that he was expecting something from me as it was late and I was clearly tired.

I got back up to my room and immediately went to sleep. The past few days had been exhausting and if I was being honest I just wanted to rest, to let everything fade a bit.

When I woke up it had gone twelve. I was half tempted to roll over because I had nothing planned that day but I knew if I did that I'd sleep until someone woke me up. I dragged myself out of bed and forced myself to get ready for the day, showering and cooking up some avocado toast.

As I was eating I scrolled through my messages. An updated sonogram from my sister, a picture from my parents of their latest cafe purchase and a message from Lucy detailing how she got assaulted by a squirrel were just a few of the texts that flooded to me. I replied to as many as I could before I got bored, switching my phone off and instead turning my attention to the latest vogue. It was important to stay on top of the fashion trends now that I was in that business.

It was half two before Jake appeared at my door, holding two coffees and suggesting a drive down to the local park. I persuaded him to stay in with me and watch reruns of mamma mia instead. We cuddled up on the sofa and, after a few hours, we gave into our cravings and ordered a Chinese. I laughed as he sang along to all the songs, especially when he got to the harmony parts and almost always chose the wrong note.

We fell asleep huddled under blankets, me resting my head on his chest. At one point I cracked my eyes open to look at him and I couldn't bite back the smile that appeared upon seeing how content he seemed.

We lay that way until he woke up at 3, shaking me awake with him.

"Grace, baby, Grace wake up." I made a noise and tried to snuggle back into his chest. He laughed and tried again. "Grace I need to go. I've got work tomorrow and so do you. Come on, let's get you to the bedroom."

"That's not the first time I've heard that line before." I slurred in my sleep-laded voice. I heard him chuckle as he scooped me up into his arms, carrying me into my room. I barely registered that he was leaving until he planted a gentle kiss on my forehead and said he'd see me soon.

I rolled over, grabbing the large teddy he'd had delivered to my flat when he was attempting to date me a few months ago and promptly fell asleep cuddling it.

And just like that, another day was gone in a flash. The next day was not so lazy. My alarm buzzed at eight and I rolled out of bed, practically falling onto the floor. It took me fifteen minutes to be ready, throwing on my usual work uniform of a pink silk blouse and black skirt. I was in my car driving to the boutique by half eight, the store being located only a few streets away from my building. I could walk there but I didn't have the energy necessary to wake up at seven am.

The assistant for the shop, Charlotte was waiting for me, coffees at the ready. I surveyed the list of clients who had booked appointments with us that day and mentally prepared as I spotted one particularly difficult name. Lea Broughton had been at our shop twice before, once as a bridesmaid and once as a bride. She hadn't found any dresses that were quite to her liking the last time she'd visited but had come back for a second try, probably to check out the new collections we'd been advertising recently. She had a sharp tongue and was brutally honest when she gave her opinion on the dresses. She'd made the bride she was dress shopping with as a bridesmaid cry, particularly cruel given that it was her sister. Had she been anyone else I might have refused to continue working with her but she was actually the daughter of a dear friend of Mum and I'd been asked to help her as a favour.