‘Alex had good news too this week,’ Walker said. ‘The local radio station has been in touch. Someone was at the Honeybridge Awards last week and heard them play. They want them to go in and perform his song for them and they’re going to record it and give them some airtime.’
‘Woah, that’s seriously cool,’ Fox said.
‘He could do with some good luck,’ Walker said. ‘Amber’s called it off with him again.’
‘Women,’ said Etienne with feeling, snapping a poppadom. ‘Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.’
‘You okay?’ Fox asked.
All eyes turned to Etienne.
‘Depends which way you look at it. I had good news too this week. The planning application for the restaurant extension has been approved. But the bad news is my wedding has been called off.’
‘What?’ Fox paused with his fork halfway to his mouth in shock.
‘What’s happened to the wedding, bro?’ Walker asked.
‘I have absolutely no fucking idea,’ Etienne said. ‘Apparently, I shouldn’t be asking the love of my life when we might set a date to get married. According to Isabella, it shows lack of respect for her decisions. I’m at a loss, mate. I really am.’ He dropped his head into his hands.
‘Good news on the restaurant, though, man,’ Walker said into the silence.
‘Doesn’t mean anything unless Isabella is there to share it,’ Etienne replied.
‘You’ll work it out, Et,’ Walker said, hoping it to be true. He’d never seen Etienne happier than he had been the past six months or so with Isabella. Etienne pulled a face and then nodded back at Walker.
‘So, what’s going on with you? You don’t seem too happy yourself. . .’
Understatement of the year. Walker drank a long mouthful of beer, anxiety bubbling away in his gut as he considered what exactly he should tell them. There was so much that had happened in his life that he hadn’t told them. That he’d never told anyone until Gabi. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to. It was that he never wanted them to look at him differently. He wanted them to think of him as someone they could rely on. Their friend.
So instead, he swallowed his secret fears again and told them the easier bit.
‘Slept with Gabi but won’t be repeating.’
‘Why?’ Etienne asked. ‘Was it that bad?’
Walker shook his head.
Both friends were staring at him now, curry going cold on their plates. Walker struggled to find the words that were right.
‘But she doesn’t seem to like the rest of me. She said we should just have casual sex rather than conversation– or words to that effect.’
‘Fucking hell, and they say men aren’t in touch with their emotions.’ Fox shook his head.
‘So, I said no thanks. That woman doesn’t want the hassle of anybody in her life. She’s completely independent and always will be. I think I’m looking for a bit more connection in my life.’
‘She’s more footloose and fancy free.’
More F words to describe her, Walker thought, adding them to his list. Feisty. feminine, funny. And the latest one, fuckable.
‘Back to the sex, though,’ Etienne said, leaning in. ‘How was it?’
Another F word, Walker thought. ‘Fierce,’ he said and finally managed a smile.
All the boys clinked beers and were suddenly aware of two small pyjamaed boys standing in the doorway.
‘We’re watchingMarried at First Sight,’ Reggie announced.
‘Righto, boys.’ Fox rolled his eyes. ‘Definitely time for bed.’ He pushed his chair back.
