Before making her getaway, Kate turned to Mallory. ‘You know, I don’t know you, so I can’t pass comment on you as a person other than to say you seem to be a caring sort, but I think I know Greg well enough now. He’s such a wonderful man and he clearly adores you. You’d be silly to let him go over a piece of paper that means absolutely nothing to him. If I were you I’d be getting back in there and telling him how I felt. And if you say you feel nothing then you’re kidding yourself, girl.’ She climbed in the taxi and slammed the door before it pulled away into the night.
*
At the end of the night Greg was surrounded by his usual groupies. Mallory watched in amusement as the mobile phones came out one by one and they all took selfies with the minor celebrity. She resolved that she would give him a little space after what had happened with Kate and that she would speak to him over the next couple of days and see how things went.
She waved goodnight as Greg was packing his gear away and she headed for home. She felt a tingle of anticipation about what could potentially be the start of something official, if Greg still wanted her. She knew he still loved her from what Kate had said but whether he was willing to risk his heart again was another thing. She would have to wait and see.
Monday morning was very cold and Mallory decided to spend a day in the workshop getting some stock made up for the shop in Leeds and the potential new place she had seen up the road at Easdale.
She had a very productive afternoon in the workshop and created some lovely new designs that she knew Josie would be happy with. It felt good to be creating again. She had listened again to the beautiful CD that Greg had made her with heartfelt songs on and mentally made a list of songs she could put on a Spotify playlist for him once she convinced him to join the twenty first century.
She thought back to her conversation with Edith on the train and wondered if there was a song called ‘I’ve been a silly cow can you forgive me now?’Maybe I should write one. She laughed to herself.
It was the start of November already and she was shocked at how quickly the last seven months had passed. Soon it would be Christmas and she knew how difficult that would be. But at least she had the possibility of sharing it with Greg even if friendship was all he could offer. Whatever he wanted, she would willingly accept.
Remembering she had a shift with him on Tuesday she planned to dress up nicely and invite him round for a nightcap after work. She had tried to memorise the things she wanted to say, but decided it was probably best to say whatever came to her when he was here. She hoped he still felt the same. Kate seemed to think so.
