The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 3

"Has anyone heard from Gracie this morning? I was hoping she may have been in contact with one of us by now though she hasn't got her phone." Shaking heads from Jock and da confirm not and Soph follows that with a resound 'no'.

"What's happened to this Geri woman? Has she been charged?" Da asks, concerned.

"Oh, yes," I answer, pleased. "And with any luck they'll get some indication of where Jonny is hiding. He'll know now that Geri has been arrested and that puts him in the frame, though from what Steve said, kidnapping is just the tip of the iceberg." Probably not a good time to mention what his suspicions are about Melody. "Incidentally, about Geri," I turn to Jessie, addressing her. A look of surprise crosses her face.

"Steve reckons she was born in Ireland. They've searched her place and found two passports. The British one says her name is Geraldine Devlin, place of birth London but in the Irish one it says her name is Roisin Devenney, born in Donegal. That's where Gracie told me she was born. Do you know that name? Devenney?"

Two ashen faces glare at me open mouthed confirming what had already crossed my mind - they've heard that name before. Not shedding any further light, I let it go for now. I have bigger fish to fry today.

"Okay," I say, standing. "I think it's time I take the kids home so that when Gracie's ready to come back, we're there to let her in."

"Shall we come too, Max?" Soph offers. "Josh is off today, we don't mind."

"No, love. It's fine. You've done more than enough for me over the last week. Let the poor bugger have a rest," I laugh, nodding Josh's way and noting he's dozed off in the corner. "He didn't get much sleep last night and he's bound to want to spend the day with you and the girls."

"Yeah, you're right. He needs some rest. Oh, I almost forgot with all that's gone on. Do you still want me to go ahead with Gracie's surprise party this Saturday? You've still time to cancel and everyone who's invited would understand if you did?"

"I haven't thought about it to be honest but after the week we've all had, I think a party is exactly what we need. And it's her 40th birthday so we should really mark the occasion."

"What if she refuses to come?"

"Well, the party is at yours so I think there's every chance she'll accept your offer to tea. Let's just keep it as surprise for now, yeah?"

"Is that wise? You know she hates being excluded and I wouldn't want to upset her. She's been through enough." She has a point; I need to listen.

"Okay. Let me think about it. Let's get her home first."

I gather Holly's bag as I round up Monty but can't help the feeling of dread creeping in. Where the hell is she? I've no choice but to get my ass home and face the music.

                                                                                  ***************

1pm.

No Gracie.

No calls.

No hope.

                                                                                  ***************

It's after 3pm before I hear a key in the door and instinctively I bolt to the hallway eager to see Gracie's face but my heart sinks as mum stands in the open doorway with two bags of groceries. Showing little in the way of gratefulness, I heave a sigh, kissing her cheek.

"It's only me, sweetheart. No word?"

I attempt an answer but am momentarily distracted as my eyes fix on the dark blue Maserati Gran Turismo, that's just pulled up. Relief and joy wash over me as I watch my beautiful Gracie climb from the car and without thought my legs move toward her only to be stopped seconds later as her ex-husband Andy, embraces her on the pavement outside our home.