CHAPTER TEN

Grace

“I have to go, I’m running late. At this rate, I won’t get any training in.” I shout to Meaghan as I run past her towards the front door. I quickly jump in my car after running down two flights of stairs with my bags to the car park and drive out. How I didn’t go headfirst, it’s a miracle. Running down stairs really shouldn’t tire me out after all the dancing I do, but it does. I sit for a minute getting my breath back before starting the engine.

 

I get to the building, unload my car and realise there’s only half an hour before the kids get here. I was later than I thought. I’m not going to do any training in now. Bugger! After unlocking the door, I go back to the car and unload my stuff. I grab my CD player, my training bag and the other bag with my CD’s in. Trying to juggle everything in my hands is a struggle. Why did I have that extra bottle of wine last night? That would-be Meaghan’s fault!

I try to be here between eight thirty and nine am on a Saturday morning so I have plenty of time. I drag the two bags out of the car as a car pulls onto the car park. I don’t see anyone get out as I’m bending down picking up stuff.

“Would you like a hand?” Startled, I spring up to the sound of the velvet voice from behind me and slowly turn to face him.

“Hi, erm, that would be great thanks.”

“Ello, Gwace.” She waves as Owen grabs my training bag.

“Hi Ella. I missed you this week.”

“I was sick.” Her mouth twists.

“Oh dear. Are you better now?”

“Yep. Lots.” She smiles, then runs off towards the open door and leaves me with Owen.

“I’m so late this morning.” I say blowing out a breath, “what was wrong with her, nothing serious I hope?”

“No, just a bug, I think. I kept her off for a few days, it was a fight to keep her away on Thursday night but I managed it... I had to promise to bring her this morning, otherwise I wouldn’t have heard the end of it.”

“Aww, bless her. She’s so sweet.” I grin. Owen pushes open the door inside and holds it open. “Thanks.” Dropping my bag and placing the CD player in the corner on the floor I head out to the machine but Owen has beaten me to it.

“What’s your poison, tea or coffee?”

“Coffee please, cappuccino.” Handing my coffee to me, I take the first sip. “Ahh, that’s nice... I needed that.” He smiles as he watches me. “Well, I’m not going to do be doing any training so I better get ready for class to start.”

“Yeah, sorry. I don’t want to keep you. I need to pop out, is that okay?”

“Yeah of course, Ella will be fine.”

“Okay.” He nods, smiles again then turns to walk away.

“Thanks again for the coffee.” He turns back and smiles at me. WOW. Shaking my head, I turn around and walk back into the dancehall to the kids that have now started filtering in.

 

Class goes really well this morning, there was only a handful of kids this morning - they all must’ve wanted a lie in. Ah, that would be nice! I turn the music down and tell the kids to make sure they have their things together ready for the parents. Opening the door Owen is the nearest one and he’s waving a paper bag. The kids filter out past me shouting bye - all but Ella, who’s practising handstands against the wall.

“Be careful, Ella.” Owen shouts to her, “Would you like one?” He opens the bag as I peer inside.

“Jam doughnuts?” I ask him as he raises his eyebrows and grins.

“I thought you needed something this morning, you looked a little tired.”

“Oh, well... yeah that’s Meaghan and wine. Not my best idea.”

He closes his eyes, “I’m sorry that’s sounded bad. Not my proudest moment….”

“Daddy, can Gwace come to Donald’s wiv us?”

“Erm, I’m not sure if she wants to, she’s probably got things to do Ella.” He looks at her as she tips upside down again. “Ella, get down now, please.” She tips herself back up to standing, her face red from being upside down.

“Peeeaasse, Gwace.”

“Erm...I’m not sure.” I glance at Owen hoping he can help me out but he just tips his head on one side.

Shrugging... “I don’t mind, really. She’ll only keep begging.”

“I don’t want to intrude on your day.”

“You’re not, Grace.” He breathes in and looks away for a second. “I’d like you to come with us.” Looking at the sincerity in his eyes sways me and a smile pulls at my mouth.

“Okay, let me get my stuff together. I don’t really want to train today anyway.” He smiles wide, I bite on the corner of my lip as my tummy flutters. HIs gaze connects with mine as we stand looking at each other. Suddenly breaking the connection, he turns to Ella.

“Come on then Ella,” he looks back at me, “shall we meet you there?”

“Erm...” struggling to get my brain to comply, “Yeah... yeah, I’ll just get my bags together.” Owen takes Ella’s hand and walks her out to the car smiling shyly as he walks past me. I don’t know what it is about him but he renders me stupid. One look in his eyes and I completely forget who I am.

I quickly throw everything in my bag and lock up the building. Opening the boot, I place everything inside, sit in the driver’s seat, try to pull myself together and make my way to the McDonalds on the main road.

 

Pulling onto the car park, I see Owen standing with Ella outside of the doors waiting for me. I pull into a space and get out. As I approach them Ella runs at me and jumps up. “Ella, no.”

“It’s fine, honestly.” Grabbing her, I carry her into the restaurant. “What you having, sweetie?”

“Nuggets!” she shouts and I laugh at her.

“She always has nuggets. What would you like?”

“Oh no, it’s fine Owen, really. I can get it.”

“Grace, I didn’t ask if you could get it, I asked what you would like. My treat. We did put you on the spot back there.”

“Alright,” I smile giving up rather easily. “I’ll have a McChicken sandwich meal please with a coke.”

“Fat coke or thin coke?

“Fat coke.” I smile. He does that lopsided smile he does... oh god, I’m such a goner for him. Pull yourself together Grace. We’re friends. “I’ll find us a table. Ella do you want to come with me and get the straws and napkins?”

“Yeah! Tomata sauce as well!”

“Okay then.” I nod. She gets the straws, I get the sauces and we both grab some napkins then sit down at the table and wait for Owen.

A few minutes later Owen sits down opposite me as Ella is sitting next to me. He puts the happy meal box in front of her as I help her open it and get her food out.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. It’s no big deal.” Opening our own food, we start to eat.

“So, Grace tell me, how long have you known Meaghan?”

“Hmm, a while. Around two or three years. I was looking for a roommate, she answered the advert. We hit it off, she’s quite wild but she’s a good friend. We tell each other everything and she doesn’t hold back when I say... everything, but I love her to pieces.”

“You seem close. I take it you don’t like her boyfriend though?”

“You picked up on that, huh? Last Sunday when I woke up he was at our flat, he stayed over apparently. I just don’t like what he stands for, I don’t trust him - at all.” Biting into my sandwich puts a close on that part of the conversation.

“You don’t hide it at all, it’s quite obvious” I smile around my sandwich.

Chewing what’s left in my mouth, “I don’t have to hide it, if he doesn’t like it, it’s not my problem. Tom’s nice though.”

“Yeah, he’s one of the good guys. He’s been there for me through a lot lately.” He frowns. It’s funny watching Owen, he’s like an open book most of the time, but it’s like something passes over him and he clams up, like now. He lowers his gaze back to his food and carries on eating. Conversation over unless I can think of something to bridge the gap.

“Can me have more of dis, Daddy?” She holds up the pot for some more ketchup.

“It’s ‘Can I’ and yes you can.” His eyes go a shade brighter whenever he looks at his daughter, they’re happy, no sadness like there normally is lingering in the depths. I’m dying to find out his story but I force myself not to ask, especially with Ella being here.

“I’ll get it sweetie.” Sliding from the seat I grab her some more ketchup and place it back on the table in front of her, I smile as she dips her nugget in the sauce then takes a bite. I dig back into my food for the rest of our short time together as Owen smiles at me.