Page 49 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
For a moment, I realised there was the possibility that I may not need to tell him at all.
‘Yes, he is.’
‘Right. Great. OK. See you then.’
I ended the call and went back outside to where Gabe, now seeming more relaxed, was sat chatting with his parents on my patio.
‘Right. All booked down at Ned’s for half seven. Is that time OK? I can always change if it you need more time or you’re extra hungry.’
‘You got a table? I thought they were booked out.’ Gabe was looking up at me, smiling but with a hint of confusion.
‘They are. But I know people,’ I said, giving an exaggerated wink and tapping the side of my nose.
His hand found mine and squeezed it, as his dad spoke. ‘I didn’t mean to put you to any trouble, love.’
‘Honestly, no trouble at all. I promise. I love going there but it always feels a bit weird sitting on my own so it’s nice to have some company.’ As soon as the words were out, I realised my error. By the way Gabe’s hand, still loosely wrapped around mine tightened slightly, I knew he had too.
‘Oh, Gabe!’ his mother admonished. ‘You’re not leaving the poor girl to eat on her own, are you? You need to sort your priorities a bit better. I’ve told you that before.’
‘It’s not his fault, Mrs McKinley. We’ve both just had crazy schedules so sometimes it’s meant we don’t always get to eat together.’
‘Well, I’m hoping you can both start dialling back those schedules a bit. Look at you two! You’re so adorable together and you never know what’s around the corner. Taking time for each other is so important.’
I knew this more than anyone. Not that Gabe’s mum did, of course. At least – I didn’t think she did. To be honest, I had absolutely no clue how much Gigi had told Gabe about me and my ‘backstory’, and that was something I probably ought to find out, and quickly. There was also the small problem of the fact that I knew exceedingly little about this man I’d apparently been seeing for eighteen months or so, and that meant there was the potential for the odd sticky situation. If I kept coming up blank, his parents were soon going to catch on to the fact that something was up.
‘And that’s quite enough of the Mrs McKinley, thank you. It makes me feel so old!’ She laughed, tipping her head back a little as she did, just as her son did. ‘It’s Martha, and George.’
‘Yes, of course. Thank you.’
‘Oh, no. It’s us that should be thanking you,’ she said, as I glanced at the time on Gabe’s watch, him having now released my hand, but he caught my movement and adjusted his wrist better for me to see. We still had time.
‘Thanking me?’ I frowned, retaking my seat between her and her son.
‘Certainly! He didn’t say much but I knew he was lonely over here.’
Uh-oh.
‘I expect you’ve heard about his brother’s unhappy situation?’
‘Oh … yes.’ About twenty minutes ago. ‘It must be very difficult for you.’ I was trying to sound understanding and reassuring but I didn’t really know much – anything even – about her other son apart from that he had something to do with the airline industry and was married, apparently very unhappily, to a bit of a diva. This resulted in my assurances coming out more like a question. Thankfully, Martha didn’t seem to notice.
‘Well, you can imagine what with that on one side of the world and this one moping about lonely the other—’
‘I was not moping,’ Gabe said, rolling his eyes. He looked at me. ‘I don’t mope.’
‘Of course you were, and you do. You always did like a good mope. Although thankfully he grew out of it for the most part, but I’m sure he’s not past still having one from time to time, is he?’
She seemed to be waiting for an answer and as I literally had no idea of the correct one, I gave a little laugh instead as my brain began to panic. I knew nothing about this man. Certainly not enough to fool a woman like Martha who I was getting the feeling was pretty damn astute under all that joviality. ‘Oh, I think we probably all do from time to time.’
‘Girl’s got a point,’ George noted from across the table, winking at Gabe as he turned his eyes to his wife.
She gave a ‘pfft’ noise of dismissal but we all saw the laughter in her eyes. Clearly any moping genes Gabe had picked up had come through the maternal line.
‘Anyway!’ she continued, looking pointedly at her husband. ‘We were so thrilled when Gabe told us about you. I must admit, we have been a little concerned that you two don’t seem to spend all that much time together but it seems like you’re making it work and obviously we were thrilled to find out you were spending the summer here!’
‘Yes, it will be lovely to get some more time together,’ Gabe added. ‘She’s a great cook too.’
‘Well, you make sure you take advantage of it all then – her being here, I mean. Not her cooking. Don’t be spending every waking hour at that hospital like you normally do.’
