‘Tis the Season to be Single: A feel-good festive romantic comedy for 2018 that will make you laugh-out-loud!. Laura Ziepe
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She remembered one Saturday when they were both bored, he’d persuaded her to get the Eurostar to Paris; it had been magical and they hadn’t been able to look at each other that day without smiling, in their own little secret world. It had been so romantic it was quite sickening and Grace could only imagine the amused and envious stares they had received from other couples who were no longer obsessed with each other because time had disintegrated their passion. They were the grinning couple standing on top of the Eiffel Tower taking a selfie. They were the ones holding hands and constantly kissing as though they were never going to see each other again. She recalled how they always had to be touching; just a simple touch of the hand, kiss on the lips or squeeze of the bum and Grace had walked around with a permanent smile because she had a boyfriend who completely adored her. She never once thought that it may not stay that way forever. She remembered one time when she’d been talking to Rachel and Amber, who were both single at the time, about relationships and Rachel had turned to her with a theatrical sigh and said, ‘I just want to find what you have with Simon. That’s all I want.’ Grace had frowned at the time, wondering why Rachel had thought they were so special, but looking back, they had been special. How Grace wished she could just wrap up their feelings from the old days in a box and keep them forever. Then as soon as things started to get dull and mundane she could open the box and show Simon. See how much you used to love me?
She’d loved his spontaneity. She’d loved how much he loved her; now she just felt like an old coat he’d grown tired of but still put on occasionally. She tried to be affectionate towards him, giving him the odd random kiss and cuddle, but she had to admit it felt as though she was the one making all the effort. It wasn’t a nice feeling and lately, Grace had found herself wondering if this was really it for her life now. Was this as exciting as things were going to get?
Grace ate her cereal quickly, putting her bowl into the dishwasher. Trying for a baby had definitely made things worse as far as their love life went. Sex had become mechanical, and most of the time, they just wanted the ‘job’ over with as quickly as possible. Grace would find herself thinking hurry up the entire time. It was hardly romantic or fun, and Grace felt frustrated that she still wasn’t pregnant. Everyone else seemed to manage it at the drop of a hat, including her sister, Amanda, who’d fallen pregnant six months ago on her first try. Falling pregnant on your first try seemed completely ludicrous to Grace. Just one try! Amanda seriously didn’t realize how lucky she was, Grace thought sullenly, as she went back upstairs to quickly brush her teeth. Grace couldn’t remember the first time she and Simon tried now, but she did remember how excited they were thinking that they’d soon be parents. How ridiculously naive they were. Grace hated how much hope they’d had. If only she could go back in time and tell herself, hold tight Grace, in twelve months’ time you still won’t have got there.
Grace had always told herself that she wouldn’t let the whole trying-to-get-pregnant-thing get her down. It would happen when it happened. She was a relaxed, mellow person, after all. She wasn’t uptight about anything and she wasn’t about to start changing now, over this. Of course, there was more to life than having children, and she did believe she’d get there in the end. It wasn’t the only thing she was focusing on in life. But after twelve unsuccessful months, it was impossible to not worry and feel disheartened and disappointed. It clearly wasn’t going to be as easy for them as it was for other couples and she had even started to fear that Simon was losing interest in becoming a father altogether now. The last two times she was ovulating, he’d brushed her off and told her he was too tired. He knew the importance of timing in her cycle, but Grace hadn’t wanted to push him. She didn’t want to be one of those women demanding sex just to get pregnant; she wanted it to at least feel natural. His refusal had hurt though, she couldn’t deny that. It had hurt just like his overall lack of interest in her and when she’d recently tried to voice her feelings, he’d just given a loud sigh as though she was trying to create unnecessary issues. Grace didn’t create unnecessary issues though! She was easygoing and low-maintenance; how had Simon forgotten that?
Grace turned the ignition on in her car to drive to Tidemans. Her thoughts turned to Rachel and she wondered if she was engaged, smiling for the first time that morning. She hoped she was; Grace knew how much Rachel was dying for a ring. Not that marriage was all it was cracked up to be. She’d never actually voiced her concerns to anybody before about her relationship and she wondered why. Embarrassed perhaps? Did she want them to believe that somehow, despite being together for ten years they were still that same, smitten, giggly couple with their own secret world? Or did she think her moaning about Simon’s lack of enthusiasm would simply bore people? She could just see them now, rolling their eyes as she told them Simon had left the toilet seat up again. She couldn’t resist a giggle at the thought of it; it was just so unlike Grace to complain about things. She’d always been the sort of person to get on with it. She dealt with things alone, but perhaps she was to blame for letting Simon get away with treating her this way for far too long now? Had he taken advantage of her ‘no problem’ nature? Maybe, if it continued this way, there would be no going back.
Ten minutes later, Grace was walking into Tidemans admiring the beautiful gold and red Christmas decorations and pretty fairy lights, thinking about what presents she was going to buy everyone and knowing she’d have to start soon. They were spending Christmas day with Grace’s family and she couldn’t wait. Last year had been Simon’s turn for them to spend it with his family (they swapped every year so it was fair) and as much as Grace had enjoyed herself, she couldn’t help but feel Christmas just wasn’t the same when she wasn’t with her own parents and sister. It reminded her of being young again and she loved the thrill and excitement when everyone handed out their presents and drank Buck’s Fizz with their breakfast. It was the little things. She loved them all being together again and, she had to face it, she felt comfortable enough to just lay and snooze on the settee after her Christmas dinner at her parents’ house.
Just as she was thinking about some gorgeous new dresses she’d seen in the kids’ department that were perfect for her niece, Poppy, she spotted Rachel at the till. Grace knew instantly that something terrible had happened as her eyes swept over Rachel’s hunched shoulders, red, puffy eyes and pale complexion. It was their job to wear Pop Cosmetics make-up and to sell the products, and if Rachel hadn’t been able to face applying any make-up that day, then it must be serious. After all, it was a requirement to wear make-up, not an option.
‘Morning,’ Grace said hurriedly. ‘Rachel, are you okay? What’s happened?’
Rachel looked frail and fragile, as if she might easily break into a million pieces if Grace touched her. She looked ill. Grace watched in alarm as Rachel’s face screwed up and she reached out to hug her, worried that Rachel may crumple into a heap on the floor.
‘Mark broke up with me,’ Rachel sobbed. ‘He’s been having an affair with Bianca.’
Grace was stunned and she couldn’t conceal it, her mouth hanging open in horror. ‘What? You’re joking? Oh Rach, I’m so sorry. That’s just despicable. How on earth could they do this to you?’
Rachel rubbed her eyes with her fists roughly. ‘I just can’t believe it and I can’t stop crying. I’m heartbroken, Grace. I’m really, truly heartbroken and I’m fed up with crying. I’ve hardly slept, I’ve just cried all night long. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were no more tears left in me.’
Grace hugged her again tightly. ‘I bet you’re heartbroken. That’s completely understandable. I promise you’ll get through this though, Rachel. You’re so strong. Everything is going to be okay.’
Grace stood there listening as Rachel explained the story. When Judy, the store manager, came over with a concerned expression, telling them they needed to be at the morning meeting, Grace took control of the situation and asked if they could miss the meeting and just be ready in ten minutes when the store opened. Judy didn’t look too impressed, but Grace knew that she trusted her, so she accepted it would all be sorted and left them to it.
‘It’s just awful, Rach. I really can’t believe it. How dare Bianca still try to lie, even right at the end when you found Mark’s coat? She’s certainly no friend of yours,’ she tutted, shaking her head