The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 7

"Stay there. I'm on my way!"  Grabbing a twenty from my pocket, I place it on the table and rush to the car. She needs me and by God, I'm going to be there for her this time.

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I'm double parked at the front of The Savoy but I don't give a toss. All manner of nightmares have crossed my mind since her call. What if Jonny has found them? What if he's got the kids? I should have asked her but there was no time and having thrown my phone on the passenger seat, it had slipped carelessly to the floor as I'd sped away giving me no chance to set up hands free.

Passing my keys to a nervous bellboy I quickly confirm my intention to return within minutes, the need to rescue Gracie far outweighing the consequences of abandoning my car. He's not happy but momentarily too confused to argue. Dialling Gracie's number, she answers at first ring.

"I'm here. Where are you?" I ask quietly, trying desperately not to scare her.

"We're in the reception bar," she sniffs, the sound ripping out my heart. So help me I'll fucking kill that bastard if ...

In seconds I'm standing in the middle of the doorway frantically searching for my family. It feels like a lifetime before my eyes find her tucked safely away in a cosy corner. I all but sprint to Gracie's side.

"Max!" Leaping from the sofa she throws her tiny body against mine. She's definitely been crying and it's almost more than I can bear.

"Sshhh. I'm here." Nuzzling her head into my neck, I feel hot tears dampen my skin and the relief is instant as I see our babies over her shoulder, safe and sleeping in their pushchair. 

"Thank you for coming back. I..." Her voice breaks preventing her from speaking further.

"Er, sir?" Interrupted by security, I know it's time to leave before they remove me from the building.

"Sshhh. You don't have to explain. Let's get you home. We'll talk there."

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With the children still tucked up in the buggy in the hallway, I lead her into the lounge and ignite the gas fire. Some warmth may help to bring her back to me. She's spoken very little since I picked her up twenty minutes ago and it's alarming. I don't want her freezing up again, not now that we've come this far. Placing a small brandy in her hand, I settle on the sofa next to her choosing my words cautiously.

"How was lunch?" She doesn't answer, so I opt for a different approach.

"Are your parents well?" Staring ahead into the flames she stays silent as if she hasn't heard me but I'm not giving up. Not today.

"Talk to me, Gracie," I whisper. "Say anything but please, talk." As if startled, confused eyes meet mine. "What did Monty eat?" I know I'm pushing.

"Fish fingers," she replies, huskily.

"Fish fingers? At The Savoy?"

She nods.

"Nice." I grin.

"They were twenty quid." Her lovely fingers half cover her lips and a small giggle escapes giving way to humour and as I return her smile, her eyes soften.

"Did he eat the whole fish?" A second giggle breaks free but this time louder. Instinctively I reach to touch her cheek but pause expecting protest. Instead she waits, with puffy hazel brown eyes glaring back at me, all wide and wanton. It's going to kill me not to touch her when I see in her eyes how much she wants me to right at this moment. But she's just too vulnerable and if I do anything at all that will compromise a reconciliation later, well I'll be fucked. Dropping my hand to my knee I note her disappointment, at least I think that's what it is.