‘Yes, the pub does okay. It keeps me and Jake anyway.’ She almost told him that it had taken her two years to make the place viable again, after he had almost run it into the ground. But that was old news. All that would have done was start an argument, and she was in no mood for one with him today. Besides, he appeared to be in a very affable mood and she wondered if the previous night’s antics had been forgotten. Or at least written off as some drunken lunacy, brought on by his nostalgia at being back in their old home. Maybe her warning had actually worked, and he realized she was not a woman to be messed with anymore. Whatever the reason, she was grateful that he hadn’t brought it up and appeared to hold no ill feelings about it.

‘How is Kayleigh?’ Grace asked, trying to steer the conversation away from her financial affairs.

‘She’s good, got a terrible hangover this morning though,’ he laughed.

‘She seems like a nice girl.’

‘Yes, she is. She’s a star, my Kayleigh. The way she waited for me to get out of prison. Not many women would do that, it seems.’

‘Well not many women would put up with you, full stop,’ she smiled. ‘Personally, I think I deserve the George Cross for sticking it out as long as I did.’

He shook his head. ‘You’ve developed a sense of humour while I’ve been away, Grace. You never used to be this funny.’ He smiled as he said it, but Grace knew he was rankled by the way he momentarily clenched his jaw.

‘Well, I’d better get to work. You and Jake have a good day,’ she said breezily.

He stood up as she started to leave and kissed her softly on the cheek. ‘You too, Grace.’

As she left the house, Grace undid the top buttons of her blouse to allow some air at her skin, which burned red hot. Nathan was being so nice it was unnerving. Even when she’d tried to push his buttons, he’d kept a lid on his temper. That was Nathan, she supposed, always keeping her on her toes. Or maybe he really had changed? She laughed out loud at that last thought. She was willing to play along with his little charade for now. It was easier for her, after all. But she knew it wouldn’t be long before the charming facade slipped – it always did.

Chapter Six

Grace walked into the almost empty bar area of the Rose and Crown. Her bar manager, Marcus Holden, was placing menus on the tables in preparation for the usual lunchtime crowd. He usually opened up so she could have a lie in – a perk of being the boss. Marcus was her longest serving and most reliable employee, as well as a good friend.