Page 45 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘You know, for a doctor, you’re not explaining things very well. I thought you were supposed to be good at all that stuff.’
‘Ordinarily, I am.’
‘There’s that word again. Gabe, what the heck is up with you?’
Outside, Bryan began to bark playfully and a laughing, heavy-accented female voice called out.
‘Gabe, love? You there?’
‘Oh shit! They’re here.’ He ran a hand over his hair, and then rubbed his jaw. I frowned, completely baffled by this new version of my normally laid-back neighbour. From what he said, and the frequency with which he contacted his family, they seemed pretty close, which only made his agitation even harder to understand.
‘Yeah, Mum. I’ll be out in a sec.’
‘Look, I’m happy to back you up. I mean, I’m not a fan of lying as such but sometimes a little white lie can be for the best. And when you do find someone, you just tell them you broke up with the previous girl but you’re all loved up and happy with the new one. Or tell them the truth, depending on how you feel.’
‘Exactly,’ he said, his hands on my upper arms now. ‘That was exactly the plan, but it’s kind of got a bit of a hitch in it now.’
‘The plan?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘Gabe?’ she called again.
‘You should get out there.’
‘Uh-huh,’ he said, looking at me as if he was considering something. And then he took hold of my hand and led me at a fast walk across my living room and out on to the deck.
‘Oh my goodness! There she is! Oh, love. I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet you at last.’ Gabe’s mum hurried up the steps, her arms wide, and the next moment I was enveloped in quite possibly the biggest hug I’d ever had.
‘Umm … It’s lovely to meet you as well,’ I squeaked with the little bit of air that was left in my lungs. I wiggled my head enough to see Gabe standing close by, his hand across his jaw, covering his mouth.
‘Now, let me look at you!’ his mum bubbled as she gently stood me back by my shoulders. ‘I almost didn’t recognise you with your dark hair. Gabe’s showed us a few photos but your hair was blonde in those.’
‘I …’
He’s done what?!
‘You look so much like your grandmother when she was young, with your hair dark. Oh, I can’t tell you how grateful we were to Gigi for taking our boy under her wing when he moved here like she did. Honestly, such a relief. We talked to her on Skype plenty of times with Gabe. What a lovely woman. We were so sorry when Gabe told us she’d passed away. I’m heartily sorry for your loss, my love.’
‘Thank you,’ I said, the response almost automatic. Which was just as well as the rest of my head was spinning with confusion.
‘Would you like a drink?’ I asked, trying to divert myself from the weirdness.
‘Oh, that’d be lovely! George is just … George!’ she yelled, making both Gabe and me jump. ‘Here he is. Stop playing with the dog for a minute and come and meet Holly.’
George did as he was told, and I got another hug. ‘Cute little fella.’
‘Yes, he’s adorable. I’m rather in love.’ I laughed, feeling a toehold of normality as we spoke about the dog.
‘Well, that’s nice to hear. At last.’ She smiled, giving Gabe a pointed look.
I gave a smile and disappeared inside, grabbing the tray of glasses from the butcher’s block and the second bottle of elderflower fizz I’d bought the other day as I tried to work out what the hell was going on. Why on earth was Gabe acting so shifty and why was his mum so thrilled to meet me? If Gigi had still been alive, I would totally get it, but me?
‘Here we are,’ I said, pouring the drinks and handing one to Gabe, with a look that said something along the lines of ‘Whaaaaaaaat?’ All I got was a long blink in return, which didn’t help me a jot. ‘I’m afraid there’s no alcohol but this is produced locally and it’s very nice,’ I said, handing the last glass out and taking one for myself.
We each took a seat at the table and made a quick ‘Cheers’ tilt together. I slid my eyes to Gabe, but he just gave a tiny headshake, his eyes serious and wary. I’d not seen him like this since the first time we’d met and as he’d just repeated the fact that we were past all that, I couldn’t work it out. Obviously he was uncomfortable about his parents and the whole imaginary girlfriend thing but I was hardly going to drop him in it, was I? Surely he knew that about me by now. Or maybe he didn’t. Either way. It wasn’t my place to blab that he’d totally made her up, especially as it seemed to be my own grandmother’s idea.
