Page 17 of The Last to Know

Grace stopped and frowned. “What?”

“I mean…people…people like your mum and dad, imagining what we’ve been up to…it’s a tad creepy, isn’t it?”

The frown turned into a grimace. “Well, when you put it like that.”

Caz laughed. “I need a drink to wash that thought away.”

“You’ve already had two beers and a scotch and Coke.”

“Ooh…married for all of…” she checked her watch, “five hours, and she’s counting my drinks already.”

Grace hit her playfully. “Dead right, I am. You snore when you’re drunk.”

“I do not,” Caz said in mock offence as she yanked the door open. “How dare you suggest such a thing.”

“I’ll record you ton—”

“Alright, lovebirds, what you been up to, eh?” It was one of Grace’s cousins, slightly worse for wear, so it was clear what he’d been doing.

Grace smiled at him, then very demurely said, “Just watching TV, Ken.”

He laughed nervously but said nothing more when Caz raised her brows at him.

“Don’t be mean,” Grace said, tugging her hand.

“What? I said nothing.”

Grace pulled her close. “You didn’t have to. You know how easily you intimidate people.”

Caz grinned.

“Only when you’re the reason,” Dani said, sneaking up and poking her head between them. “She’s not interested otherwise.”

“Oh, really, it’s just my honour she defends?” Grace went along with the gentle ribbing. “I didn’t know that. I thought she was grouchy with everyone.”

“Nah, only those daring to give you any—”

“I am not intimidating, they are intimidated. There is a difference,” Caz said, just a little defensively.

Grace flung her arms around her and said, “I’m not complaining.”

“See, grouchy?” Dani chuckled.

“Why are you here?” Caz asked her friend. “This isn’t your floor.”

“I was just nosing around, seeing how the other half live.” Dani winked. “Posh init?”

Caz ignored her, and Grace smiled. It was posh, that was true.

“Well, I’m going to get a drink while you two work out which one’s getting the grouchy version of me next.” Caz poked out her tongue and turned away.

Dani laughed. “That’ll be me, then.”

“Make mine a double,” Grace called after her.

They stood together, Caz’s two closest friends, and watched as she walked towards the bar.

“It was a lovely service,” Dani said. “You looked beautiful, by the way.”

---