‘Walker!’ came the shout again.
He nodded towards the caller and she straightened, bracing herself for her first step home. Her underarms felt tender, her back ached. And she was now feeling the exertions of her physio. The sofa suddenly seemed quite appealing. She reached the crutches out and put her weight into the movement, when all of a sudden, her right stick slipped on something on the tarmac, a loose stone, which sent her tumbling forward into Walker’s chest as her crutch skidded wildly to the right. Walker’s arms caught her in an instant. His hold was like a metal band, strong and secure, and she gasped out loud, partly with the shock of the slip and partly with the jolt of his proximity.
She pushed herself upright, both hands on his torso.
‘I’m all right,’ she reassured him, even though he hadn’t asked. ‘I wouldn’t have fallen.’
He shook his head, but didn’t argue. Instead, he checked his watch.
‘Do you want me to give you a lift home?’ he asked. ‘I’m off shift in ten.’ Tempting. But no. She didn’t need any help.
He was still holding her elbows, and her hands still spanned his chest. She picked up his braces between thumbs and forefingers and stretched them playfully towards her, looking straight into those hazel eyes, before letting them go with a snap onto his chest. He laughed, shocked.
‘I told you, I can manage,’ she grinned. ‘But thanks.’
‘Little Miss Independent. . .’ he said.
‘Less of the little,’ she said with a wink as she transferred her weight away from him. Carefully manoeuvring now so as to prove herself, she turned slowly and hobbled away.
‘See you soon, Gabi,’ he called after her and she had the distinct feeling he was watching her go.
Chapter Ten
Walker
It was little more than ten minutes later when Walker actually left the fire station, and by then he had plenty to think about. He’d been called in to talk to his boss, Appleby, who’d arrived unannounced at the station, wanting to talk about his future with the fire service. As he eased his car out of the forecourt, he felt the urge to drive and keep driving. It might ease his mind. He could do with the distraction.
Halfway up the big hill to town, he spotted a familiar sight. Gabi. Leaning against a wall for support, taking a breather. She obviously hadn’t made it home yet. It couldn’t be more perfect. He needed a distraction and there she was. He didn’t think twice before flicking on an indicator and pulling in beside her. He lowered his window.
‘Fancy a ride?’ he asked, noticing her pink cheeks. No matter how fit she was, this hill must be a killer on crutches.
‘I’m fine,’ she insisted.
‘I know you are,’ he reassured her. ‘I just fancied a drive. Wondered if you wanted the scenic tour of Honeybridge?’ She grinned and he watched her move towards the car. He rubbed his chest where the braces had pinged against him earlier. It hadn’t hurt as much as shocked him. He could still feel her hands there on his chest. She was petite, Gabi. He guessed maybe five foot four in her trainers. And she looked smaller now that she was settled in his passenger seat, smiling expectantly. He waited for her to click her seat belt in before checking his mirror and easing out. Within minutes he was leaving the town and driving along country roads bordered by fields and farms. She gazed out of the window, and he heard her long, slow exhale.
‘This is so different from where I live,’ she said after a while, turning to face him. ‘My apartment is on the top floor– the twelfth– of a complex. We have a doorman and a gym on site. And from my window, I can see the Thames and the London skyline. Which is stunning, but hardly any green at all.’
‘Sounds fancy,’ he said, two hands lightly turning the wheel. She laughed and it made him smile.
‘And expensive,’ he pushed and she laughed again.
‘I bought it about five years ago after one of my films that year.’ He remembered the monogrammed luggage sets that he’d carried for her. She was obviously well paid for what she did.
‘You looking forward to getting back to work?’ he asked, taking a turn to follow the wide, meandering river.
‘Can’t wait. Rang my agent a couple of days ago to update her on my recovery schedule. She’ll start looking for appropriate roles for me. I’m always wanting the next one to be bigger. Better.’
‘My boss wants me to take on a bigger role too,’ he found himself saying, but without the same excitement as she had in her voice. ‘He literally just told me after you left.’
‘A promotion?’ Gabi asked, clapping her hands. ‘Congratulations!’
Walker focused on his driving, remembering his Commander’s praise. ‘Seems they want me to consider taking the job as Station Commander for this area,’ he said. Gabi clapped again.
‘When do you start?’
He blinked. She made it sound so easy whereas just saying it out loud made his stomach drop. It was a lot of responsibility. What if he wasn’t up to it?
‘I asked if I could think about it,’ he said, keeping his eyes on the road.
