"Ellie, we're going!" Grace calls as she pulls her coat on and picks up her briefcase.
"Okay mum, see you later! I love you!" Ellie calls from the kitchen. She's on her second cup of coffee.
"Love you too, sweetheart." Grace calls back. "I left a key on the front table in the hall."
"Thanks mum." Ellie calls and Grace can hear the smile in her voice.
Grace and Boyd go and get in the car. "She's really sweet, Grace. She's been nothing but wonderful with me right from the start."
"She just wants me to be happy. She could tell when she walked in last night how happy I was and how much we love each other. She told me after Jack died that I have to keep living my life. She used my own expertise against me for once." Grace says wistfully.
"You're lucky, Grace. Your daughter clearly loves you very much." Boyd sounds emotional.
"We've always been very close. She looks out for me. I always thought it was supposed to be me doing that for her." Grace says gently.
"Kids always surprise you, whether it's in a good way or a bad way, they always are a surprise. She's great Grace. You and Jack did an excellent job." Boyd praises Grace. He's trying to do that as much as possible before she meets his mother. This whole day has him on edge.
Grace looks over at Boyd and the tension is radiating off him. She knows he's nervous about his mother coming to visit, but she doesn't know if he's nervous for himself or her. She knows that he wants this to go smoothly, but she also knows he doesn't think that's going to happen. Some of the things he's been saying since he told her his mother was coming to visit have given her that impression. She's actually more nervous when Boyd is quiet than when he's shouting. Brooding is not a good sign from Boyd. At least if he's yelling he's letting his feelings out. Bottling his feelings up doesn't usually end well for those around him. The tension in the car is palpable and Grace is grateful when they finally arrive at the office and she can escape to the relative safety of her office.
