‘They must be very proud of you,’ Gabi said.
‘They are,’ he said. ‘It’s just me that’s not.’
Gabi moved around his body, slipping under his arm and pressing against his front.
‘It was a terrible accident, Walker. I’m so sorry that it happened to you.’
‘I will never forgive myself,’ he said simply.
‘But you were only a child,’ Gabi said. ‘Nobody would want it to shape your whole life. Things that happened to us as kids shouldn’t hold us back when we’re adults.’
He sighed and pulled her closer. The thunder echoed, distant now, and the sky was dark. An owl hooted somewhere nearby, safe after the passing of the storm.
‘I mean it,’ Gabi said. ‘I’m sure Murray would be the first one to tell you to let it go. He would want you to live.’
‘But I can’t forget him.’ Walker’s voice was flat. He was exhausted. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. Always so exhausted.
‘Then try to find a positive way to remember him.’ She tugged him lightly by the arm, led him back to the bed. ‘You’re freezing,’ she said. ‘Let me warm you up.’
The mattress was cold, and he shivered as he lay down. She climbed in behind him, tucking in tight. Her arms wrapped around him, spooning his back, rubbing warmth and comfort into him with her hands. ‘I’m here,’ she said. ‘I’m right here.’
He tried to relax against her. Wanting sleep above all else. But he still lay there, wide-eyed until he heard her breath soften and felt her arm grow heavy. Could he let it go? Was she right? Because something inside him was growing weary with carrying it all around. The owl called again and he closed his eyes. Finally, he felt himself drifting.
When he awoke, Gabi was gone.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gabi
Gabi got some funny looks hobbling home at seven o’clock in the morning, wearing a sparkly black dress and a single sequinned sandal. But she had to get home quick for the Zoom interview. The one that she’d happily scheduled for eight a.m., not thinking she would have been up half the night sharing a bed and childhood stories with Walker McBride. She pushed herself along the high street from Walker’s riverside house and made her way home to Amber’s, only just having time to clean her teeth, change out of her party wear and make herself comfortable in the armchair in the sitting room before her meeting started.
The casting director beamed at her.
‘Greetings, Gabriella!’ the woman said, flashing an amazingly white set of teeth. ‘Nice to finally meet you!’
Gabi turned on her own smile and mentally shook herself to focus on the task at hand. She had one chance, and one chance only, to show the panel why she was the best woman for the job. Gabi studied each attendee as they joined the Zoom and were introduced by the casting director. She’d done her homework and knew that she had the great and the good of the film industry seated in front of her. The studio had pulled in the big guns– the best directors, actors and writers– so they obviously expected the film to be box office magic.
‘So, Gabriella,’ the film director said.
‘Please, call me Gabi.’ Gabi smiled to set the tone: professional, friendly, easy to work with. ‘Everyone does.’
‘So, Gabi,’ he started again with a nod. ‘Your CV is certainly impressive. Tell us a bit more about yourself.’
Gabi straightened in her seat and began.
‘I’ve been in the industry for more than a decade now and enjoy the challenge that comes with every new film, every new stunt, every new scene,’ she said. ‘I’m always growing my skill set to make sure that I can rise to any occasion.’ The man nodded.
‘And what’s the latest skill you’ve added to your repertoire?’ he asked, pen poised.
Gabi froze. For some reason all she could think of was Jayden teaching her a few breakdance moves. She cleared her throat to buy herself a second, before saying hurriedly, ‘Archery. I learned last year for a role in an advert.’
‘That’s quite a skill to master.’ The casting director rejoined the conversation. ‘We don’t have any archery in this film, but we would need you to stunt double for the female lead in a number of “near death” scenes. Shall we describe them?’
Gabi nodded. The woman nodded at her assistant who picked up a list.
‘A gunshot, first of all.’
‘I was “shot” numerous times inThe Gangs of Greenwich,’ Gabi assured them, ‘most notably while standing on the edge of a cliff, resulting in a high fall afterwards.’
