‘But I told you I watchColumbo.’ A small smile touched his lips.
‘Exactly – intellectual stuff!’ I chuckled.
‘I watch anything that is stimulating. Documentaries, comedies, many things.’
‘Good to know,’ I replied, thinking that he was full of surprises. I’d definitely be listing the fact that he likedColumboand theBeckhamdocumentary as the thing I learnt about him today.
The coach stopped and Claude announced that we’d reached our destination.
As the Love Alchemists led us onto the grand boat, I gasped. A waiter greeted us with a glass of champagne and then we were guided to our tables which were covered with thick white tablecloths and napkins and expensive-looking crockery and cutlery.
‘So apart fromColumboand watching documentaries, what else do you like to do for fun?’
‘Pff. Nothing.’
‘There must besomething,’ he pressed.
‘Not really. I’m mostly working and it takes an hour and a half to drive to the office in the morning and not much less afterwards so by the time I’ve got home, showered and made dinner, it’s almost nine and all I want to do is relax on the sofa. Then it’s time to go to bed and do the same thing all over again.’
‘What about at the weekends?’
‘On Saturdays I volunteer at a young mums’ support group so I spend most of the day there. And on Sunday there’s housework and shopping to do, so watching TV is myfun.’
‘How long have you been volunteering?’
‘About five years. I started when Ricky left secondary school and I had more time on my hands.’
‘Tell me more about what you do there.’ He leaned in closer.
I paused and frowned. Gabriel genuinely seemed interested.
This was a first.
The few guys I’d dated since I’d started at the centre had glazed over with boredom the minute I mentioned the volunteering that I did. They acted like they’d rather watch paint dry. But as I told Gabriel that I’d decided to help after seeing an advert for volunteers on the supermarket noticeboard and wanted to get involved because I got so little help when I was a single mum, that I didn’t want others to suffer the way that I did, he nodded along and asked questions, so I continued.
I told him about the different mums I chatted to there (leaving out their names or personal details), the activities we organised for them and their kids and all of the different support services the group offered.
‘This group sounds excellent,’ he added. ‘How is it funded?’
‘They get some money from the council, but mostly it’s from fundraising activities or donations. It’s tough. Especially these days when everyone is struggling to make ends meet. When I get back, we need to brainstorm how to raise more money, because we’ve got a feeling that the funding we get from the council is going to be cut.’
‘That is not good.’
‘Nope. Hopefully we can find some businesses that’ll help. Some of them donate gifts for the kids and Christmas and stuff which is amazing, but we also need money to keep the lights on and pay the rent.’
‘Of course.’ Gabriel nodded like he was processing. No doubt he could relate. He probably had similar struggles when he was setting up his business.
‘Was it difficult for you when you were starting out?’ I asked.
‘Oui. Every business has its challenges.’
‘And things are better now?’
‘They are,’ he replied. Just as I hoped that he might tell me more about his business, he continued talking. ‘I may know some people who would like to help your group,’ he said quickly.
‘Really?’ I sat up straighter. ‘That’d be amazing!’
It was only then that I realised that the boat had set sail.
