Page 101 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘Do you?’
‘Yes! Or if he doesn’t, that he chooses to move from here at least. We share a wall, remember?’
‘I’m sure it’s not serious with her.’
‘No. Despite all his big words about wanting to find The One, I’m not sure he really does serious.’
‘I think he does want to settle down.’
‘He’s just having some fun in the meantime.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Great. That makes me feel better.’
‘I didn’t mean with you.’
‘So I wasn’t even fun?’
‘No! That’s not what I meant. You meant more to him than that, I know you did.’
‘So much that he’s already hooked up with someone else? In less than three weeks? And she’s ridiculously pretty with an amazing body. I mean, it makes sense I guess.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘I think we both know I was punching a bit above my weight.’
Carrie made a very unfeminine snort down the phone. ‘Bollocks. Total and utter. All of that stuff is. What are there? Like League police, or something? Just utter rubbish and that’s the last time I want to hear you say, or even think, anything like that because none of it’s true. And deep down, you know that’s true. You’re just in a tough place right now. You kind of have been for a long time but you started gaining your confidence when you came back here. There’s been a … blip … but that’s all it is. Don’t let all that negative shit in, hon. It’s not good for you – and remember, new start.’
‘You’re right,’ I said, pushing back my shoulders. ‘Who cares if you can bounce a pound coin off her arse?’
‘Can you?’
‘I reckon.’
‘Blimey.’
‘Yeah. I know. Mine would probably just eat it like a moneybox.’
‘Oh my God,’ Carrie puffed, ‘don’t make me laugh like that. I might drop this baby right here and now!’
‘Really? Does it feel close?’
‘I’ve no idea really. I mean, I’m supposed to have a few more weeks but I’m not sure whether my womb has got that particular memo.’
‘You’re OK, though?’
‘Yes, yes. You sound like your brother now. Stop fussing.’
I smiled. For all his tactlessness, there were worse people I could sound like. ‘So why on earth did you think I was back with Gabe anyway?’
‘There’s a table booked for you here tonight. For two.’
‘Is there? That’s weird.’
‘I didn’t take the call but one of the waiters took it and it was a guy but when he told him we were booked, he said the table was for you.’
The penny dropped.
