Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)

“Well thank Goodness for that, because if you were getting yourself into a right royal mess like this over a runt like him I’d have to put you over my knee young girl.”

“I was seeing someone else, someone older.”

“How old?” She eyed me warily.

“He was ten years older than me so only thirty four, it’s not as bad as it sounds honestly, and he was really fit and looked a lot younger.”

“You don’t have to justify it Ella, as long as he wasn’t drawing hi

s pension. It’s up to you who you date my love.”

“He was no good for me Nan, he’s a womaniser but I got carried away.”

“Don’t we all dear.” She rolled her eyes and then smiled back at me.

“You’re not the first girl to have the wool pulled over her eyes by a chancer Ella, and you won’t be the last.”

“I wouldn’t describe him as a chancer Nan, more a…cocky, over confident Romeo type. I thought he really loved me but I kept hearing all these awful things about him and I just couldn’t cope anymore. I couldn’t deal with his past. It all sucks.”

“Life does ‘suck’ most of the time Ella, it’s how you pick yourself up and dust yourself off that counts. Did he cheat on you?”

“That’s the whole thing Nan, I don’t know. I think maybe he did, but then I remember everything he said and did and I just get so confused.”

“There’s always at least three or four sides to every story you hear Ella, yours, his, hers, the truth. The path to finding true love never runs smoothly my girl.”

“I know, and I just needed to get away to clear my head.”

“Well that’s certainly something I can offer you love. This place will get the stresses of the city out of that pretty head of yours. Is there anything else you’re not telling me though Ella?”

“I can’t talk about the details of…him, but yes there is one thing Nan.” I bent my head sheepishly.

“You’re pregnant aren’t you.” She said putting one of her paper thin bony hands into mine.

“How did you know?” I gazed in awe at her now. Was this some kind of older lady gift that you gained when you reached retirement, to be able to sense a pregnant woman at fifty paces?

“I know you Ella, I could see it in your face, your eyes. You look green my love and tired too. Does he know?”

“No and I don’t want to tell him yet, I’m still getting my head round it all myself.”

“Okay, so have you seen a doctor?”

“Yes I have a scan in two weeks.”

“Good, at least that’s all sorted. Well you’ve come to the right place love. If there’s one thing we have down here its clean air, hearty food and zero stress. All a perfect combination for cooking up a little one like you are. I have to warn you though Ella, you won’t be hiding yourself away in these four walls. I’ve been boring anyone who’ll listen about my beautiful talented Granddaughter and now you’re here I shall be parading you around all my friends.”

I had to laugh at Nan’s no nonsense attitude, no drama and lecture about being so careless and getting myself in this situation only an ‘oh well what’s happened has happened’ approach to everything and a stiff upper lip. I loved her to pieces.

“So it’s Monday night which is book club. Nancy is hosting it these days and we’re reading the Fifty Shades of Grey books, they are a hoot. How naughty is that Christian Grey. Mind you your Grandad could have given him a run for his money in his day.” Only my Nan could have me blushing at that moment.

“I don’t want to know Nan!” She howled with laughter at my embarrassment.

“Tuesday is Salsa class. You will love that Ella, exercise is good for pregnant women and the teacher is a dream, he has such a tight little…”

“Nan! I don’t want to know!” I elbowed her and she chortled in that cute belly laugh way that she did.

“Wednesday I have the gang round for cards. We usually play chase the ace or gin rummy. If we are feeling daring we turn it into a poker night. Harold calls me the black widow because I always win, he even brought me black roses last week, the cheeky beggar!”

I groaned at the mention of roses. Harold sounded like someone else I was trying to forget.