Bravo, Grace!

by Mary Hoffman

  I wish everything could be less complicated, thought Grace, and went straight to sleep.

  “OK,” said Vince next morning, rubbing his hands. “Today we are definitely going to move into the new house!”

  “Except me,” said Nana. “I’ll be staying put.”

  “But won’t you be dreadfully lonely, Nana?” said Grace.

  “No, child. I’ll be fine,” said Nana. “I’ll have Paw-Paw for company and it will be quite nice to have some peace and quiet after all the kerfuffle of the last few weeks.”

  But Paw-Paw the cat was nowhere to be seen; he didn’t think changes were at all exciting and he didn’t understand what was going on.

  It was another hard day’s work, but at last everything was in the right place. Nana wasn’t allowed to do any of the carrying, because she was an old lady and had broken her ankle the year before. So she cooked a big meal to thank all the helpers. Kester ate mounds of mashed potatoes and chicken and gravy.

  At last everyone but the family was gone and it was time for Grace and Ma to move into their new home. Vincent wouldn’t be joining them until after the wedding. Nana came to the gate with them and gave them all a big hug.

  “Now, don’t forget, I’ll be over right after breakfast to look after you while Ma’s at work,” she told Grace. “Some things don’t change!”

  At that moment, Paw-Paw came through the gate in the other direction; he had been hiding under the bushes in Mrs. Myerson’s old garden.

  “There you are, you naughty boy,” said Nana. “I expect you want your dinner too.” The cat wound around her legs, and she waved, and the two of them walked back to the apartment where the back door was open, casting a wedge of lemon-colored light into the back garden.

  “Ready, Grace?” asked Ma.

  Grace took a deep breath and nodded.

  And then the two of them walked through the gate to their new home.

  Grace Goes Up the Aisle

  It felt very strange to Grace, waking up in her new room next morning. There was no Paw-Paw kneading her chest and purring, no Nana calling her to breakfast, and the room felt unfamiliar and stank of paint.

  For a moment Grace felt like another person, and then she smelled bacon and mushrooms cooking. She grabbed her robe, ran down the stairs and found Vincent making breakfast on their new stove. He had come over early to drive Ma to work at the hospital.

  “Morning, Grace,” he said cheerfully. He was wearing one of Nana’s flowery aprons.

  Grace giggled. “You look funny,” she said. “Doesn’t he?” said Ma, coming into the kitchen yawning. But she was smiling. “I think we’ll have to find you something a bit more masculine to wear if you’re going to take up cooking.”

  “Don’t you think Lucie’s apron suits me?” asked Vince, pirouetting on the spot, then grabbing Ma round the waist and waltzing her round the kitchen.

  Grace watched them dancing and laughing together and felt a bit more normal. Perhaps she was going to like the new person she was becoming. She went over to supervise the frying pan.

  There was a knock at the back door and Nana’s dear, familiar face looked around the kitchen door. Grace rushed up and gave her a big hug.

  “Are you all right, Nana? Not too lonely?”

  “I’m fine, honey,” said Nana.

  “Let me get you a plate,” said Grace, seeing the table was set for three.

  “No, that’s OK,” said Nana, sitting in the fourth chair. “I’ve had my breakfast already. But I’ll take a cup of Vince’s good coffee, if he’s making it.”

  It felt so weird to have Nana sitting at their table like a visitor, instead of being the person making the meal, that Grace was glad when Vincent looked at his watch and said, “Hadn’t you better be getting ready, Ava?” and Ma said, “Heavens! Is that the time?” as she did every morning.

  This is what our life is going to be like, thought Grace, once they’re married. We’ll be like a storybook family again with a mother and a father—like Pa’s family in Africa.

  After she and Nana had cleared away the breakfast, there was a ring at the doorbell. It was the first time Grace had answered the door for anyone in the new house and it reminded her of the first time they had called on Mrs. Myerson. Especially when she saw it was Raj and the others. They were thinking about that first time too.

  “Do you remember when we were ghost busters?” asked Raj.

  “And we thought this house was haunted?” said Maria.

  “And Yowler yowled and we thought it was a ghost?” said Kester.

  And now Yowler lives with Aimee and I live here, thought Grace. “Come through to the back,” she said out loud.

  They were out in the garden where Maria had found the red flower when they played safaris and secret gardens at Mrs. Myerson’s. Now there were daffodils everywhere and green buds on the bushes. And, most different of all, there was Vince’s “magic gate” between this garden and Grace’s old one.

  Nana bustled back and forth through the gate with armfuls of cloth; she was still finishing off curtains on her sewing machine. The children helped her to hang them, Kester being specially useful because of his height.

  “Thank you, dears,” said Nana, when it was all done. “I needed to get that out of the way so I can finish the clothes for the wedding—I can’t believe we have less than a week!”

  “What’s your Ma going to wear?” Crishell asked Grace.

  “She bought a cream silk suit and a hat to match, with a cute little veil,” said Grace. “And Nana’s making me a purple dress with white butterflies on it.”

  “Yes, and I’ve got to finish my own dress, too,” said Nana.

  “Can we help?” asked Maria. She and Crishell were interested in everything about the wedding, but Raj and Kester were quite bored by it all.

  “It’s a girl thing,” said Raj. “I bet Vince doesn’t spend all his time thinking about the wedding.”

  “Well, as a matter of fact,” said Nana, “he’s on a strict diet, to make sure he fits into his new suit. So maybe he thinks about it every time he says ‘no’ to a doughnut.”

  “But I bet he doesn’t talk about it all the time,” said Kester. “All the man has to do is show up, wear a new suit and remember the ring.”

  The three girls rolled their eyes in exasperation, but secretly Grace agreed with the boys a little bit. What with all the house moving and the preparations for the wedding, she had felt just a tad neglected this term; she couldn’t even count on Nana’s attention in the same way any more, since she was always so busy. And Paw-Paw felt the same as Grace. Even though he was supposed to be living in the apartment with Nana, he took to visiting Grace in the house—not bothering with the new gate, of course—where he could be sure of getting a cuddle.

  “I know how you feel,” she told him, burying her face in his purring, furry chest. “Weddings take up too much time. I can’t remember the last time Nana told me one of her stories.”

  The day of the wedding dawned bright and sunny. Ma had refused to go to church in Nana’s old car and didn’t want to drive herself in her own, slightly newer one. So a specially hired white car with ribbons came and took them to the church. Nana sat in the front and Grace sat in the back with Ma, both of them keeping very still and stiff so as not to crush their new clothes.

  Their church was only a few streets away and, when they got there, the bells were ringing.

  “That’s for you, Ava,” said Nana.

  “And for Vince,” said Grace, wanting to be fair.

  “Oh, Grace,” said Ma, giving her a hug in spite of their clothes. “You do like him, don’t you? You do think I’m doing the right thing?”

  It’s bit late to ask me that, thought Grace. But out loud she said, “Of course I do,” because actually she did like Vince now. He was funny and kind and he made Ma happy. It wouldn’t be the same as having Papa live with them again but it would still be OK.

  “No crying, now!” said Nana. “Think of all that time you
spent making up your face.” But Grace saw Ma brush away a small tear.

  They got out of the car and Nana adjusted Ma’s little hat-veil. Nana was going to “give her away,” and Grace was the only bridesmaid, so the three of them went through the church door together and the organist launched into a wedding march. Grace wondered if he had a special mirror so that he could see when a bride arrived.

  It did seem an awfully long way up the aisle to where Vince was already waiting. The church wasn’t packed, because only close friends and a few of the usual Sunday congregation had been invited.

  “It’s my second time, remember,” Ma had said. “We’re so lucky that our vicar agreed to marry us in church at all.”

  Walking behind Ma and Nana, Grace could see that they were both a bit trembly. She looked ahead and saw the big reassuring figure of Vince; he beamed at them and gave Grace the smallest of winks.

  “Dearly beloved . . .” began the vicar.

  Grace had never been to a wedding before and it felt funny that her first one should be her own ma’s. She sat next to Nana, who was looking lovely in her new rose-print dress, and held her hand tightly all the way through.

  It seemed no time at all before they were walking back down the aisle again, with Ma and Vince in front and Grace and Nana walking behind. The organ blazed out another march, the bells rang and in a moment they were outside the church and Vince was kissing Ma and Grace was fumbling in her little purple bag for her confetti. She and Nana threw it all over the newlyweds and it got in their hair and in Ma’s hat and down Vince’s collar.

  The big white car was waiting for them and Grace didn’t know what to do; she thought Ma and Vince would get in and drive off as a couple without her. But no such thing happened. In fact, Vince showed her in after Ma so that she sat between them while Nana rode in front again.

  A few minutes after they got back to the house, their friends started arriving for the party, but it was long enough for Vince to carry Ma, laughing and protesting, across the threshold. And then he took Grace aside and gave her a little velvet box.

  “What’s this?” asked Grace, surprised. It looked just like the box Ma’s engagement ring came in.

  “Didn’t you know that the bridegroom is supposed to give the bridesmaid a present?” said Vince, smiling at her.

  Grace didn’t know that and she opened the box. Inside was a pair of silver earrings with a dark, sparkly stone in the middle. Grace’s eyes opened wide.

  “For me?” she said. “They look so grown-up.”

  “They’re amethysts,” said Vince. “It was the only purple stone I could find. Do you like them?” He looked quite anxious.

  “I love them,” said Grace, and she took out the little silver hoops she was wearing and put the new earrings in right away. Then she gave Vince a thank-you kiss and his smile grew even broader.

  All the gang were invited, with their parents, and the gate between the two gardens was left open so that people could sit in both of them to eat and drink. The friends wandered around with glasses of fruit punch and plates of goodies. Kester’s was piled high but Crishell didn’t touch much of hers. Her mother was there too and Crishell never dared eat much when she was around.

  “It was a lovely ceremony,” said someone. “And doesn’t Ava look beautiful?”

  “Do you wish she had a long white dress?” Maria asked Grace.

  “Not really,” said Grace. “I mean, she did all that when she married my papa—I’ve seen the photos—and they still broke up.”

  “Same with mine,” said Kester.

  “And mine,” agreed Crishell.

  “Hey,” said Raj. “I’m the only one whose parents still live together.”

  “And Aimee,” said Maria.

  “But she’s not really one of us any more, is she?” said Raj. Then, seeing the looks he was getting, “What? I only mean . . .”

  “We know what you mean,” said Kester, giving him a little thump.

  “He’s right,” said Grace, “but I don’t want to think about that today. Or about divorces. Now it’s time to celebrate!”

  While the party was still in full swing, Vince and Ma got in an ordinary cab to leave for the station. But Ma got out again for another hug with Grace.

  “Come on, Ava—we’ll miss our train,” said Vince.

  “Don’t forget to throw your bouquet!” said Nana.

  Ma hurled her posy of cream and pink roses out of the car window as it was driving away. It sailed high up in the air and everyone surged forward to catch it as it fell, except Grace, who was standing in the street waving at the back of the departing car.

  “Owzat!” shouted Kester, as he made a perfect catch, then blushed as he realized everyone was laughing. Quickly he handed the flowers over to Nana, who said, “That’s nice, dear. I’ll put them in some water.”

  Then she called out to Grace, “Come back, honey. There’s still a whole lot of party going on.”

  Grace in Memory Lane

  The morning after the wedding, Grace woke up to find Paw-Paw on her chest. He was very happy that all the guests had gone away and very pleased that Grace and Nana were sleeping in the same house again.

  “It’s just like old times, isn’t it, Nana?” said Grace, as they had breakfast at the kitchen table together. “Like any other school holidays when Ma’s at work and you look after me.”

  “Yes, honey,” said Nana. “Just as long as you remember it’s also a new time, and your Ma will be back in a week with her new husband.”

  But today, Aimee’s parents were bringing her to stay for the rest of the week.

  Grace and Aimee had known each other since nursery school. Their mothers had met in the hospital when they were having their babies. The past term had been so weird for Grace, not having Aimee around. On the first day back after the Christmas holidays, it had been great to be back in Ms. Woollacott’s class with Maria and Raj and Kester and Crishell, but to Grace it still felt as if there was an Aimee-shaped hole in her life.

  They talked on their cell phones every Sunday and Grace knew it was even harder for Aimee, settling into a new school in a new town and having to live in a new house. The first Sunday of the term, Aimee had said, “It’s awful, Grace. I don’t know anyone and I miss you and the gang so much.”

  That made Grace feel really guilty. At least she still had Maria and Kester and Raj and her new friend Crishell, but poor Aimee had to start all over again. She sounded more cheerful as the weeks went by and had even mentioned a girl called Ayesha a few times. And they always tried to get Paw-Paw and Yowler to say “hi” over the phone—though Yowler was much better at this game than Paw-Paw was.

  Carol and Joe dropped Aimee off in the middle of Sunday morning and stayed just long enough for coffee and a guided tour of the new house.

  “I can’t believe it,” said Carol. “It’s so different from when Mrs. Myerson lived here—so light and airy with all the bars down.”

  At first Grace and Aimee felt a bit shy together.

  “How’s Yowler?” asked Grace.

  “He’s fine,” said Aimee. “He’s turning into the boss cat of the neighborhood. How’s Paw-Paw?”

  “He’s fine too,” said Grace. “Only he didn’t like all the wedding fuss. He’s supposed to live with Nana in our old apartment, but he’s here with us this week. I think he’s in the garden. He can’t quite believe that Yowler’s gone from the house.”

  “Everything’s gone, isn’t it?” said Aimee. “It’s not Mrs. Myerson’s any more.”

  “Everything’s changed since Christmas,” said Grace. “But it’s only a few months since you lived just around the corner.”

  “I know,” said Aimee.

  Nana was cooking lunch for Grace and Aimee and all the gang and it wasn’t long before they arrived. It was just like the old days except that, now they had Crishell as well, there were six of them instead of five.

  Maria and the boys were very glad to see Aimee and were soon chatting about old ti
mes. But Crishell was withdrawn. They spent the morning in what they still thought of as Mrs. Myerson’s garden. It was another really sunny day.

  Nana brought them out some apple juice and chocolate cookies.

  “No, thank you,” said Crishell, almost as snootily as when she first came to school. “I’m not supposed to eat between meals.”

  “I like the gate,” said Aimee, to cover up the awkwardness.

  “It was Vince’s invention,” said Grace. “He says it’s a magic gateway.”

  That gave her an idea. “Why don’t we go through it now?” she said. She had the strangest feeling that if she went with her friends back through the gate, everything would be the same as last year. It would be like a real time machine.

  And in a way she was right. Paw-Paw was stretched out in the sunshine in their old garden. Grace could almost believe that they were going to have their lunch in the apartment with Ma and Nana and that Vince was still just a friend at Ma’s work.

  Crishell suddenly whispered to Grace, “I’m going home. I don’t want to be part of your trip down memory lane. I’ll give my mom a ring.”

  Grace felt horrible, but just being back in the old garden with the five of them was so good that she was able to push Crishell to the back of her mind. They played time travelers until lunchtime, reliving all their old adventures. Then they all gathered around the table in Mrs. Myerson’s old dining room. It looked very different now, with the bars off its windows and light floaty curtains instead. Nana had put out one of her cheerful, flowery tablecloths and a big vase of tulips stood in the middle of the table.

  “It’s a shame Crishell wasn’t feeling well,” she said. “That child doesn’t get enough home-cooked food, if you ask me.”

  But then she took the lids off the dishes and the lunch smelled so good that everyone forgot about Crishell.

  After all the washing up had been done, the gang played ball in the garden while Nana had a nap. And that night, when the two girls went to bed in Grace’s new bunks, they felt almost back to normal, even though it was a different bedroom. Aimee was very impressed by all the space and Grace’s new color scheme. They stayed awake half the night talking.