From the wisdom of her years, Grace had come to believe—no, *knew*—that nothing in life happens by chance. Every meeting, every connection, was written in the stars.
“People can call it coincidence all they like, but they’re wrong,” she’d say firmly. “Some think you can outsmart fate, but no one ever has. Everyone’s got their secrets—buried deep, where they belong. I’ve got mine, too, but I’d rather keep them that way.”
Gazing out the window at the wild apple tree in bloom, she remembered another May just like this. The scent of lilac hung in the air as Grace and her best friend, Lily, walked home from school. They were in their final year—back then, Year 11 was the last before college. The girls had been inseparable since childhood, living next door, sharing every class, every secret. Lily was the shy one, her cheeks always pink as roses, soft-spoken and sweet. Grace? Bold as brass, always ready to leap to Lily’s defence.
“Honestly, Lil, you’ve got to stand up for yourself! Just whack that Tom Baxter over the head with your textbook once—he’ll stop tying your braid to the chair,” Grace would say, rolling her eyes.
Tom sat right behind Lily, tugging her long plait when she wasn’t looking. She’d stand up—only to be yanked back down, the class roaring with laughter. Of course, no one guessed he fancied her. That was his way of getting her attention. Lily didn’t like him—too cheeky, too rough.
“I can’t, Grace. I’d feel bad, even if he deserves it,” Lily would murmur.
“Suit yourself. I’ll sort him out next time,” Grace huffed.
“Leave it, really. He’s not worth it,” Lily always replied.
After school, they enrolled in the same college, studying business. Grace started dating Jack from another group, always dashing off to meet him while Lily stayed home.
“Come on, Lil! I’ll set you up with Jack’s mate, Dan. He’s a right laugh—jokes for days,” Grace teased.
“No thanks. I’d rather wait for the real thing, you know? Proper love.”
“Fine. Sit here waiting for Prince Charming, then,” Grace sighed.
Lily didn’t want to third-wheel—she wasn’t keen on forced setups. She trusted fate would bring the right person when the time was right.
One day, Grace seemed off.
“What’s wrong?” Lily asked.
“Jack and I are done. Went to the cinema, and he spent the whole time chatting up some other girls. I gave him a piece of my mind, and he told me to sod off. So I told him to take a long walk off a short pier. That’s that.”
Jack never came crawling back. Grace moved on quick.
Near the end of their studies, they went for a stroll in the park. Spring was just warming up. Lily carried a book, lost in thought—until a passing lad bumped her arm, sending it tumbling.
“Sorry! Didn’t mean to—” He bent to pick it up, then froze when he saw Lily’s smile. “Here you go. Honest mistake.”
Grace jumped in: “No harm done.” But Lily just stared.
The lad—tall, tousled hair, eyes like the sky—held her gaze. Something *clicked*.
“Name’s Alfie,” he said, grinning.
“Grace,” she said, thrusting out a hand. “This is Lily.”
Alfie’s eyes never left Lily. “You two in a hurry?”
“Just walking,” Grace said.
Grace liked him instantly—but she *also* saw Lily’s blush. *Oh, she’s smitten. Easy fix—she’ll back off.*
Alfie, though? Smitten right back. Lily barely spoke, but he hung on her every word.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, looking straight at Lily.
Grace answered for her: “Course not!”
All afternoon, Grace chattered while Alfie stole glances at Lily.
“Why so quiet?” he asked her.
“Just listening,” she said, cheeks flaming.
Grace clocked it. *He’s hers.*
That night, Grace tossed and turned. *Alfie’s different. Not like Jack—proper serious.*
Lily couldn’t sleep either. *Is this love at first sight? But Grace will go after him…*
Next evening, cinema. Alfie sat between them. Mid-film, his hand brushed Lily’s—then held it. Her heart hammered. *He chose me.*
After, Grace babbled while Lily floated beside Alfie, that *thread* between them pulling tighter.
At their door, Alfie hesitated. “Lily, can we talk?”
Grace stiffened. “Should I go?”
“Sorry, Grace. Just need a word with Lily.”
Grace stormed inside, furious. *That quiet little mouse! What’s he even see in her?*
Alfie and Lily talked for hours. It just *fit*.
Grace grilled Lily later, hiding her jealousy. Lily, trusting, told her everything.
Once, Grace cornered Alfie. “You’re making a mistake. Lily’s not who you think. She’s been with loads of lads—uses them up, throws them away.”
Alfie frowned. “Why tell me this? She’s your best mate.”
“Because I *love* you,” Grace blurted.
He left without a word.
Two days later, Lily burst in: “Alfie proposed! We’re getting married!”
Grace forced a smile. *No. He’s mine.*
She never went to the wedding. “Not feeling well,” she lied.
Three days later, a letter arrived:
*”Don’t tempt fate. You’ll only hurt yourself.”*
Grace still hears those words. Maybe it was destiny—or karma, swinging back like a boomerang.
She never found happiness. Two failed marriages, no kids. Just solitude.
Grace knows better than anyone: you can’t cheat fate.
