She forced her face to remain frozen in a smile. She knew exactly what he meant by catching up. He suddenly sat up straighter, his shoulders no longer hunched over his drink. The smile reaching his eyes. She could see glimmers of the Nathan she knew all too well, breaking through the cracks of his self-pity and doubt. Well, it had been nice to have him off her back for a few weeks at least. It had given her the time and space she needed. But now he was back. She’d give it a week before he was behaving like his usual arrogant, lecherous self again.

Everything was almost in place. It was just a matter of time before she could put the final part of her plan into action.

But she had a use for Nathan first.

Chapter Sixty-Eight

‘Hello, Grace.’ Kevin Mitchell smiled as she walked into the tiny room in the back of a bookmakers that he called an office.

‘Kevin.’ She nodded at him, not in the mood to exchange pleasantries. He was a smarmy bastard. Greasy hair and podgy fingers. Always rubbing his hands together as though he was expecting something. ‘What can I do for you?’ she asked as she took a seat, placing her new Hermes handbag down beside her.

Kevin had phoned her earlier and asked to meet with her. He’d suggested coming to the Rose and Crown to see her, but she didn’t like to conduct business with his sort in the pub. He was one of those people who would see it as an invitation to ‘drop by’ whenever he fancied.

‘Business is going well,’ he said, not answering her question.

‘Yep.’ She nodded, not even bothering to try and hide her irritation.

‘Your attack dog not with you today, then?’ he asked.

‘Clearly not.’

‘Haven’t seen him or his old man about much.’ He grinned.

‘Well you wouldn’t. They’re out of town,’ she snapped. ‘You still haven’t answered my question.’

‘Oh yeah.’ He smirked. ‘It’s not me, you understand. It’s my lads.’

Grace smirked. Kevin was blaming his lads for wanting more money because he knew she still had evidence of his mistress and their aborted child. He was always careful not to push her too far.

‘They’ve been getting a lot of hassle from Nathan and his firm,’ he went on.

‘So? It’s what they’re paid for.’

‘I know that,’ Kevin replied, sucking air in through his teeth. ‘But they’re getting a bit edgy about it all. They’d like something for their trouble.’

‘You mean more than what I’m already paying them?’ Grace asked incredulously.

‘Let’s call it danger money.’ Kevin smirked as he sat back in his chair.

Grace took a deep breath. Pricks like Kevin could really push her buttons. But losing her cool with him wasn’t going to help matters. Besides, that wasn’t how she operated.