‘Courier?’
‘On your bike?’
‘Ah yes, my bike. I do a little bit when I can,’ he said vaguely.
Grace felt terrible for pushing him. ‘I’m sorry, it’s none of my business what you do and when you do it. Please forgive me,’ she said, looking down at the worn table.
Frank smiled. ‘I will only forgive you if you do one thing for me.’
What?’ asked Grace nervously.
‘Dip your fry into your shake,’ he dared.
Grace made a face and did as he asked. It was surprisingly good.
‘It’s OK.’
Frank laughed. ‘See, things are never just what they seem. Fries and a shake, you wouldn’t think they would work but they do.’
Frank walked Grace back to Pajaro, wheeling his bike next to him. They stopped outside the office.
‘Thanks for lunch,’ she said shyly.
‘Thanks for meeting me.’
They stood facing each other and Grace felt butterflies in her stomach. Frank leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
‘Is that all?’ she dared him, half jokingly.
And with that he pulled her into his arms, dipped her and kissed her passionately in front of everyone on the street.
Grace came up for breath and stood stunned. ‘Wow!’
‘That’s what all the girls say,’ Frank said, and he then hopped on his bike and rode away.
Grace shook her head to try to gather her thoughts as she went inside Pajaro. Frank was crazy but he was a hell of a kisser, she thought as she went up to her office.
She sat at her desk and looked at the long list of things to do and she sighed, just as her phone rang.
‘Grace speaking.’
‘Grace? Hi. A mutual friend of ours, Frank, rang me and told me you needed to speak to me urgently.’
‘Who is this?’ asked Grace suspiciously.
‘Calypso, Calypso Gable.’
Grace dropped the phone.
13
Birdie, Atlanta – 1984
Birdie was alone when Leon came to Spencer’s home. As soon as she heard the knock at the large front doors, she knew her husband was back and the thrill of the fantasy that she had been in burst.
‘Birdie, it is time you came home,’ said Leon, standing at the front door, formal in his dark suit.
‘I don’t think there will be room with your mistress and your child,’ said Birdie coolly.
