Page 76 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘I didn’t mean for there to be blood involved. Or injury of any type!’
‘As your dad said, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.’
‘He was definitely right about that. Jeez. You really went down. I expect there’s probably a blip on some local Richter scale monitoring station somewhere now. Assuming there is one. I mean, there must be, right?’
He looked down at me, dried blood caking his face. ‘I literally have no idea.’
‘I’ll have to Google it.’
‘You do that.’ His arm hooked around my shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. ‘Is your head always this crazy a place?’
‘No. Not really. I mean, I think it used to be. Ask Ned. I have memories of him saying something very similar to what you just did, quite often. But, for the most part, no. I don’t think so. I’m normally quite sensible and responsible.’ I looked up at him. ‘Ugh, that sounds so boring, doesn’t it? Sensible and responsible.’
‘I believe you accused me of being the same last night.’
‘Well, yes, but that’s different.’
‘How?’ he asked. His arm still rested around my shoulders and I told myself it was because he’d taken a fall, and so it was only right that I should ensure he was supported and steady on his way back home. Nothing to do with the reality of how nice, and how natural, it felt. Because, let’s face it, if Gabe stumbled this way, I was toast.
‘Well, firstly, you’re a doctor so like I said before, people expect you to be responsible but when it’s said in connection with being a doctor, it just sounds a lot more reverential.’
‘Reverential?’
‘Yes.’
‘And secondly?’
Ah. Yes. Secondly.
‘Don’t take this the wrong way.’
‘Uh-oh. This doesn’t sound like it’s going to be good.’
‘No, it is. It’s just … well, you look like that.’ I waved a hand up and down at him. ‘So basically you could be as sensible as you’d like and it wouldn’t matter.’
‘Looking like this helps?’ he asked, stopping as we got to the houses. I turned, having taken one step up.
‘Well. Maybe this particular look isn’t the most effective.’ I grinned. ‘But generally.’
‘Is there a compliment in there somewhere?’
‘Maybe.’
He smiled and began heading back towards his own place, Bryan dancing about at his feet.
‘Mate. Knock it off until I can see where I’m going, will you? If you’re not careful, I’ll bloody step on you and then where will we be?’
‘Where are you going?’
‘Home.’ Gabe thumbed at his house.
‘Shouldn’t you be with someone? I mean, in case you pass out or something?’
‘Why? You going to catch me?’ He grinned, wincing as the pain pulled at the muscles again.
‘Oh ha ha. I don’t know. This isn’t my speciality. I’m just asking. I sort of broke you so I feel a bit responsible now.’
‘You’re entirely responsible.’
