He didn’t reply. He moved towards her and started to kiss her, pushing her down to lie on the couch at the same time. The weight of his body crushing hers. She pushed at his chest.

‘Nathan, stop,’ she said, assuming he would listen. Because he’d changed, hadn’t he? But he didn’t stop. He continued trying to kiss her, his hands grasping at her clothes.

‘You know you want this, Grace,’ he groaned. ‘I know you still want me.’

‘Nathan, stop,’ she shouted. ‘I don’t want this. I don’t want you!’

So many familiar feelings of terror and disgust flooded her body as though they had been held back by a dam for too long and had finally broken free of their barriers. She had almost forgotten what it truly felt like to be afraid of him. As though she’d blocked it all out for her own sanity.

As if by divine intervention, Jake arrived home. Fortunately, he was drunk and made a racket coming in, so they both heard him. Nathan jumped up and they both straightened their clothes.

‘Am I interrupting something?’ Jake asked, raising an eyebrow at both of them as he entered the living room.

‘No,’ they both said – a little too quickly and firmly.

‘Don’t be soft,’ Grace added, feeling the colour rush to her face.

‘I’m off to bed, anyway,’ Jake smirked, and she wasn’t entirely sure he didn’t suspect something had gone on, although thankfully he had no idea what.

‘I’ll show myself out.’ Nathan said as he stood up to leave.

Grace sat on her sofa nursing the remains of her brandy. So, Nathan hadn’t changed at all. She’d suspected it was all an act and now she had proof. Still, it had been a worthwhile evening. He’d been surprisingly open about his business dealings, bragging about the big plans he had, which was very helpful indeed. Almost worth having to put up with his unwanted advances – almost.

Chapter Twenty-Two

‘Jake, will you please stop leaving your shoes by the front door?’ Grace shouted up the stairs as she almost tripped over her son’s size elevens when she went to answer the doorbell. She was expecting Patrick’s granddaughter, Steph. They were going into town for the day for some retail therapy. After the previous night, Grace needed something to distract her. And nothing distracted her more than a day out with her favourite girlfriend and spending a boatload of money. Jake would be getting a load of new stuff for university today, whether he needed it or not.

Opening the door, Grace rolled her eyes when she saw Nathan.

‘Grace, please let me explain,’ he said.

‘I have nothing to say to you,’ she said quietly so Jake wouldn’t hear. ‘Now, piss off.’

‘I just wanted to say I’m sorry, Grace. I really am.’