‘Are you okay?’ she whispered. ‘Please tell me you’re okay.’
‘I’m better than I’ve been in a long, long time,’ Walker said, pulling her tightly to his chest.
Chapter Forty-Five
Gabi
An hour later, at the local bar– The Loch, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels– Walker was looking better. Gabi had let everyone know that he was fine and promised to fill them all in later. He had colour back in his cheeks and seemed to be starving hungry. She’d found them a seat in a corner and in between sips of Irn-Bru and bites of pie, he told her everything. How coming back and facing his own fear had helped to unlock it.
‘I can see it all so clearly now,’ he said. ‘My guilt had skewed the truth of how it happened. I had it all twisted.’
He looked like a load had been lifted from his shoulders. By the time the meal was finished, he had talked it out, and she could see that he had begun to let the past go.
‘It was my idea in the first place, but then I changed my mind,’ he said. ‘And I tried, really tried, to keep Murray safe.’
‘I’m sure you did, Walker,’ she said. ‘Because that’s what you always do.’
‘But I always thought that was a reaction to what happened to Murray,’ Walker confessed, but Gabi shook her head.
‘I think that it’s you,’ Gabi said. ‘You are the most caring person I’ve ever met, and I think you were probably like that before Murray’s accident, not just afterwards.’
Walker blinked as he took that in, but looked doubtful.
‘I honestly think it’s the way you’re made,’ Gabi continued. ‘You want to make everything okay, to help everyone, to make life easier if you can. And that’s really special.’
Walker stared at her and she could feel the heat in her face. But she meant every word. And she wanted him to believe in himself and see himself as she did. Because he was amazing.
‘I’m sorry about your friend.’ Gabi reached across the table to squeeze his hand, suddenly wanting more contact. ‘I really am.’
He squeezed her hand in return and she knew it was time to say what she needed to say.
She swallowed, glancing down at the old, dented wooden table between them before forcing herself to meet his gaze. ‘And I owe you a proper apology too. I’m sorry about the things I said to you.’ Walker considered her for a moment.
‘That’s okay,’ he said. ‘I said some pretty harsh things too.’
She felt the relief in her shoulders and broke into a smile. ‘Friends?’ she said, and he nodded.
‘I really am glad you’re okay,’ she said, suddenly leaning forwards to hug him again. Her arms wrapped his shoulders and she pressed her face into his neck, happy when she felt his arms encircle her too and squeeze.
‘I can’t believe you got a taxi.’ He laughed as they separated.
‘Best fare of his life, he said.’ Gabi laughed too.
‘I’ll drive us back,’ Walker said, stretching. She could see the toll of the last few days on his face and was glad when he added, ‘But maybe not today.’ He rolled his shoulders. ‘If that’s okay with you?’
Gabi pretended to think about it. ‘Well, with my extremely hectic schedule in Honeybridge, I might just be able to manage a day or two away.’ She sipped her drink. ‘And I’ve never been to Scotland before.’
Walker’s eyes lit up.
‘You’re joking?’ She shook her head and he beamed. ‘Then we should definitely stay. I can show you around while we’re here.’
‘Sounds like fun,’ Gabi said, trying to ignore the immediate dirty thoughts that sprang to mind.
‘Let me get some proper drinks,’ Walker said, ‘and we can make a plan.’
He returned a moment later with a beer, a glass of wine and a questioning expression.
‘They have a room here that we can have for the next couple of days. . .’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘But it’s only got a double bed.’
