Grace and Sandra became good friends after that day. Grace would always remember Eddie and often sent a little gift or a new item of clothing in the post for him. She offered to help Sandra out with money a few times too, but the younger woman would never take it from her. She said that she didn’t deserve anything from her.

Sandra often asked Grace if she knew just how much her kindness had changed her life. Grace always laughed it off and told her it was nothing, but Sandra always said the same thing – that it was everything to her. Because of that she was happy to help Grace out in any way she could. So, searching the NHS system for information occasionally really was no hardship at all. The way Sandra told it, Grace saved her that day, and saved Eddie too. And Grace knew that Sandra would do absolutely anything for her.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kayleigh started to complain as Nathan was buttoning his shirt.

‘I can’t believe you’re going out again. It’s Monday – who goes out on a Monday, Nathan? You’ve only been home for a few weeks and I hardly see you anymore,’ she whined.

‘Look, I’ve got some business to sort out. You’re not moaning when I’m giving you money every ten fucking minutes, are you? So, get off my case and let me get to work.’

She sat on the bed pouting like a child and he wondered again why he put up with her.

‘I’m sorry. I just miss you,’ she whimpered.

He might feel some pity for her if he didn’t know it was all an act. She was a manipulative bitch and she was trying to make him change his plans just because she was bored.

As he was taking no notice of her, she changed tack.

‘I’ll make it worth your while,’ she purred as she started to unzip his fly and dropped to her knees in front of him, reminding him exactly why he put up with her.

Half an hour later and Nathan was climbing into his car to drive to Grace’s. Jake played football on Monday nights and Nathan knew that meant Grace would be home alone. He had been on his best behaviour for weeks, smiling and laughing at all the right moments. Making her feel at ease. Making her trust him again, until he had her exactly where he wanted her. He was still pissed off over her threat to him, but he knew that the best way to get to her was to remind her why she’d fallen in love with him in the first place. It was only a matter of time before she was putty in his hands again – the way it was meant to be. He would get his own back, in his own way, when the time was right.