‘Well this is worth more to you than some jewellery,’ she said as she threw the bag of money onto the table.

Craig picked it up and looked inside. ‘Two grand?’ he asked.

‘As agreed.’

‘So what’s in there that’s worth so much to you?’ Craig queried as he placed the carrier bag into his now-empty backpack.

‘Don’t tell me you didn’t look inside, Craig.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘I know you better than that.’

‘’Course I did.’ He shrugged. ‘Just a load of letters and photos.’

‘Well let’s just say they have sentimental value. Come on, I’ll show you out.’

He followed her back down to the bar. ‘Bye then,’ he called as he walked out of the pub.

‘Did you really interview him?’ Marcus asked. ‘He looks like he should still be on the boob, never mind the ale.’

Grace shrugged. ‘A favour for an old friend.’

‘I thought I was in charge of hiring and firing?’ he pouted.

‘You are,’ Grace soothed as she touched his arm. ‘I was never going to give him a job behind the bar. It was just a favour, I told you.’

Marcus smiled, and she knew he’d already forgotten about it. She thought about the tin upstairs. Sharon had refused to give her any evidence of Nathan’s parentage. Terrified that it could fall into the wrong hands. For now, the information would be securely stored in her safe. As much as she would never betray Patrick’s confidence if she could help it, she knew a day would come when she would have no choice.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Present Day

Grace linked her arm through Michael’s as they made their way to the hospital café. Patrick was still refusing to see her. Would he ever forgive her? She couldn’t bear the thought of never speaking to him again. At the very least, she wanted to explain what had happened all those years ago.

Grace took a seat while Michael ordered their coffees. A few moments later he walked over to their table with two Styrofoam cups.

‘This looks like shit, but it’s hot and wet.’ He smiled. ‘I’d make a joke about that, but I sense you’re not in the mood?’

She shook her head.

‘Fucking hell, Grace. What the hell could you have possibly done that was so bad?’

Grace told him everything. All about the part she’d played in helping Nathan after Tommy’s murder. About her visit to Nathan earlier that day, and the details of her plan to get him out of their lives for good.

Michael sat quietly as he listened to her talk. When she’d finished, he sat there shaking his head. ‘Well, fuck me, Grace I wasn’t expecting that.’

‘Do you think your dad will ever forgive me?’ she asked.

Michael nodded. ‘Of course he will. You didn’t have much choice, did you?’