‘You could just hear him out?’ Isabella said but Amber’s face said it all.
‘We’re better off without them,’ Amber said, putting her glass up in the middle.
‘Better off without them,’ Isabella and Gabi agreed, smashing their glasses together and finishing their drinks.
Gabi noticed Jayden lip-reading and caught a glimpse of something on his face as he watched his mum, and then he put the iPad down on the table and left the room.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Walker
Walker couldn’t settle on his own. Alex was out at band practice, and he was rattling round the house. He couldn’t even find Fatboy Jim for a cuddle. He presumed Etienne would be with Isabella in a love bubble somewhere, so he messaged Fox and headed round in the early evening light before he went stir crazy.
Ever since he’d watched Gabi walk away on the riverbank at the weekend, his emotions had been up and down like a yoyo. One minute he hurt afresh, remembering the fact he’d spilled his guts to her and she’d walked away. The next minute kicking himself he had turned down no-strings-attached, undoubtedly incredibly hot sex with Gabi. He tried throwing himself into work, but nothing was making him feel any better. Now he was hoping a tikka masala and onion bhaji with one of his best mates might do the trick.
He could hear that Reggie and George were still awake as Fox opened the front door, his silver quiff stuck up at all angles.
‘Got the curry?’ Fox asked and Walker held up two bags of takeaway, hot and fragrant, that he’d picked up from the local Indian restaurant.
Fox took one of the bags from him, and offered him a fist bump before Walker followed him in the front door. As they passed the front room, Walker waved through to the boys who were making a den on the floor with cushions. Fox might have won the battle of getting them into rocket-covered pyjamas, but he’d lost the war of wrestling them into bed.
‘Ten-minute reprieve!’ Fox shouted in defeat and both boys cheered. Fox swung open the kitchen door and Walker saw Etienne also there, looking like his love bubble had most definitely burst.
‘That smells good,’ Etienne said. ‘Is there enough for me?’
‘Yep,’ Walker said, unloading silver trays to the wooden table. Fox handed out plates, Etienne cracked open some more beers and Dingbat the dog took up position under the table, hoping for spills.
‘Bros and beers is exactly what I need tonight,’ Etienne commented as everyone served themselves in silence and started to eat.
‘Me too,’ agreed Walker. ‘Tell us good news, Fox. Cheer us up. What’s happening with the game launch?’
Fox piled chicken jalfrezi on his rice. ‘Launches Saturday,’ he said with an incredulous shake of his head.
‘Can you believe it? Your game going global,’ Walker said, proud of his friend. He offered his beer across the table and the boys all clinked their bottles against it. It was an important moment and they all knew it. Fox had worked hard for it.
‘I’m throwing the launch party at The Bolthole,’ he said. ‘Banking on you guys being there. There’ll be play stations, virtual reality arenas– so many different zones, from the Wild West with a bucking bronco to a space zone with laser quest. Should be a laugh. All the big content reviewers are coming. Some gamers from America.’
‘Sounds like fun. Count me in. I need all the fun I can get,’ Etienne moaned.
‘So, things are really going well for you!’ Walker said.
‘Brilliantly,’ said Fox with a sigh. ‘But I need to find a nanny. I think it’s the only answer. The games company is already talking about a sequel. I feel guilty about the boys, I’m always half concentrating on something else. I think if I got a full day’s work done, then after work I could give them my complete attention.’
Walker nodded. ‘And you can afford it now, Big Daddy Warbucks.’ They clinked beers again.
‘I’ve asked Rosie and Wren if they know anyone. They’re going to ask around for me.’
As if they knew they were being discussed, the boys strolled barefoot into the kitchen and Fox stopped talking. George nudged Reggie and Reggie nudged him back. George pushed his brother in the back and Reggie adopted an offhand expression and slung his arm over his dad’s shoulder. George muffled a giggle and hung back by the door, watching his big brother expectantly. All three men looked at Reggie who smiled coolly.
‘Can I have a beer, Dad?’ Reggie asked casually.
‘Sure,’ said Fox, equally casually. Reggie started to smile and then stopped as Fox finished, ‘In about eleven years’ time.’
Reggie pulled a face and George sighed. They left together with heavier feet.
‘Those boys are going to be trouble,’ Etienne said.
‘They already are!’ Fox replied.
