Saving Grace Read Online Free PDF Page A

this good mood may last for days.
    Even though it never does.
    Hand in hand, they go out to the car.
    T onight is the thirtieth anniversary of the magazine
Country Flair
. A glittering occasion, the magazine has taken over the ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental, their guests an assortment of luminaries featured in the magazine over the years.
    Grace and Ted have been inside the pages many times: snapped at society or literary events, Ted interviewed for his new book, or, as in the thirtieth anniversary issue, on the cover as the personification of what every country dweller should aspire to.
    It is true, the house at Sneden’s is a beautiful example of a restored antique farmhouse; the barn, lined floor to ceiling with books, sliding ladders running along the length of the shelves, is regularly featured in articles about dream offices, and one of the most frequently repinned photographs on Pinterest.
    But it is more than the rambling house, the pretty gardens, the solid barn. It is Ted and Grace themselves, Grace unwittingly having become something of a style icon, however reluctant she may be to appear in public.
    Her casual style – jeans and Bean boots, teamed with sloppy oversized sweaters and one of her husband’s ubiquitous Barbours, some fabulous huge ring or a pair of abstract gold earrings – was never something she thought much about, and she is constantly surprised at how people compliment her on her style. She wears what is easy, comfortable, without much thought as to what other people think.
    On the cover of the thirtieth anniversary special issue, a bumper issue, it is Grace and Ted smiling out at you, sitting on their bench overlooking the water, a chicken perched on Grace’s shoulder as she tips her head back with laughter, Ted turned to gaze at her. His long legs, in old jeans, are stretched out in front of him, one dachshund on his lap, the other two at his feet. Behind them are the apple trees in full bloom, for this issue was planned months in advance, and the photographs taken during the glory days of summer, when the house and garden are at their most beautiful.
    G race’s phone rings, her face lighting up as she looks at the screen.
    ‘Clemmie!’ she says, lifting the phone to her ear. ‘Darling daughter who we never hear from anymore. How much money do you need this time?’
    Her daughter’s laughter rolls down the phone. ‘Can I name my price?’
    ‘Only with your father,’ says Grace. ‘I’m a harder sell, as you well know. Where are you?’
    ‘In my apartment getting ready for a hot date, and guess where he’s taking me?’
    ‘Dinner? A movie? A walk in the park?’
    ‘Much more glamorous. To the thirtieth anniversary gala for
Country Flair
magazine.’
    ‘No!’ Grace can’t hide her delight. ‘We’re on our way too! They’re honouring us!’
    ‘I
know!
But my date doesn’t, and now I have to tell him who I am. Unless I ignore you all night, but what if this is “the one” and he ends up proposing before diving into a fury that I withheld the terrible truth from him.’
    Grace starts laughing. ‘You like him, then?’
    ‘He’s kind of deliciously sexy in a sexily delicious way.’ Grace can picture her daughter’s swooning smile as she speaks.
    ‘Name? Age? Prospects?’
    ‘You’ll find out for yourself in about forty-five minutes,’ says Clemmie. ‘But briefly, he’s Luke, he’s a musician who teaches guitar to kids on the side, and this is our first grown-up date.’
    ‘Forgive me for asking the obvious, but what on earth is he doing coming to the
Country Flair
gala? That doesn’t quite compute.’
    ‘That’s what I said! Turns out his mum is an editor there, and she invited him, with a date. She even, apparently, rented a tux for him. See what a good mother does?’ she says.
    ‘I give you all my old clothes!’ says Grace.
    ‘And I’m grateful. I’m wearing one of your favourites tonight.’
    ‘The silk skirt and bustier top that I gave you last