‘I’m so sorry I took everything out on you,’ she stammered. ‘I was just upset because my dad texted me yesterday.’ She slumped on the sofa, thinking that yes, that was partly what was upsetting her.
Rosie looked confused. ‘Wouldn’t you be upset when he doesn’t text you, rather than when he does?’
‘It’s because every month, it’s the same,’ Gabi sniffed. She held out her phone and scrolled through the chat history. The same questions and answers on repeat. Always on the first of every month. Rosie scrolled in amazement. In a matter of seconds, she’d covered the past few years.
‘You never tell him anything?’ Rosie asked, looking up from the screen. ‘About your life?’
‘He never asks me anything!’ Gabi threw back.
‘But he asks every month. . .’ Rosie said, pointing at her dad’s words each time.
‘He doesn’t really want to know, though,’ Gabi said. ‘We haven’t really had a relationship since my mum left.’
‘He’s doing a good job of hanging in there.’ Rosie shrugged and handed the phone back. Gabi looked at it in confusion and then back at Rosie, as if they were looking at two entirely different things. Rosie continued, ‘You know, Gabs, just because you haven’t had a relationship since you were a child doesn’t mean you can’t have one as an adult.’
Gabi sighed and sat back. Walker had said something very similar.
‘Up to you, of course.’ Rosie stood to pass out the pie, and make them coffee. She put her hand on Gabi’s shoulder as she passed. ‘It’s your relationship.’
Gabi stared at the chat history again, seeing it through Rosie’s eyes. And Walker’s. Scrolling back through months and then years, decades even. Seeing how many times her dad had actually asked how she was, and she had cut him dead with her reply.
Chapter Forty
Walker
Alex: Hey, man, you home for dinner? Making chilli tonight.
Alex: I’ll leave it in the fridge if you get in later.
Etienne: Bro. Rowing club this afternoon?
Etienne: You missed a good sesh. Next time.
Fox: Reggie wanted to know if you can make his assembly next week. He’s a squirrel.
Fox: Walker? I was at least expecting a joke about how it might drive you nuts, but you wouldn’t miss it?
Rosie: Whatever you said to Gabi worked. . . she came round with apology pie. Thanks, Walks. Cuppa in the week? XX
Rosie: Walks? Everything okay?
Alex: Hey, where are you, man? Not wanting to be a nagging wife, but you didn’t come home last night?
Alex: Can you message me when you get this? I’m worried.
Fox: You okay, Walker? Still haven’t heard from you.
Etienne: Everything okay, bro?
Rosie: Walker, where are you?
Chapter Forty-One
Gabi
Gabi was just on her way home from physio at the gym the next day when she spotted Etienne, Fox and Alex going into the local coffee shop. She couldn’t help but check behind them for Walker, but maybe he was on shift. She hadn’t seen him, or heard from him, since the game launch at The Bolthole. That was probably for the best, seeing as he thought he could tell her how to live her life. So, why was she still looking for him? She decided to pop in and say hello to the guys.
The men were seated in a corner booth nursing coffees by the time she got to the counter and placed her order. Etienne exclaimed and pointed at her, which was a bit odd, saying, ‘Hi, Gabi! We’ve been meaning to come and talk to you.’ Fox looked up from the message he was writing and slipped his phone in his pocket. Alex collected her coffee for her and carried it to their table. They all scooted around to make room for her, propping her crutches against the wall.
