Rosie, Wren and Toby shared a look, laughing between themselves. Gabi marvelled at the love and happiness between them and felt the stab of it. It only accentuated what she didn’t have.
‘No, actually,’ said Rosie, slipping her arm around Wren’s waist. ‘What’s really exciting is. . .’
‘We’re having twins!’ Wren said, which was followed by a roar of amazement from everyone as they surged in to congratulate them. Rosie and Wren laughed in delight; Riley shouted about how she was going to be a big sister. It hit Gabi like a brick. Not only were people falling in love and getting married, they were growing babies and families all around. Just not her.
Gabi stumbled forward to congratulate Toby and he grinned proudly and immediately put his hand back to steady Riley on his shoulders. Gabi stared. The tiny movement reminded Gabi of something. Something she’d long forgotten.
Papà. His hands were always there to catch her when he was teaching her to ride her bike in the park near their house. Her mamma wasn’t there; Gabi remembered her being away, although Papà had been vague about where exactly. But her papà had taken her to the park and run behind her for hours, his hands on her back to guide her, his encouraging words speeding her on: ‘I’m always here, Gabriella. I’m always here. For whenever you need me.’
The sun had been going down by the time she pedalled from one end of the path to the other and realised that she was cycling on her own. That night her papà was just as proud as she had been. He had told her how brave she was as he tucked her into bed. And she’d loved cycling her bike ever since that day that he supported her as she learned. But it was his words that stuck in her mind now. Tears pricked her eyes as she watched Toby slide Riley down to hold her in his arms and kiss her before setting her on the ground to play with the children now that the announcement was over.
She had an urge to see if her papà had messaged, but shook herself, knowing full well the date. His monthly text wasn’t due for another week and she’d be in America by then. On her own. Again.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Walker
He’d seen Gabi fighting her emotions since the start of the party. He recognised in her face what he himself felt inside. Her face changed from tearful to beaming from one minute to the next, her voice cracking when she laughed. He wanted to wrap her up in his arms and carry her home, as he had done when she had her broken leg.
The radio was turned up again and more drinks were poured. Gabi was talking to Wren and Rosie, and he could hear them telling her to come and visit when the babies were born. His stomach dropped. Christmas seemed so far away. How could he think about dark nights and log fires when the sun was this warm and the flowerpots on the patio were overflowing with cornflowers? Amber appeared beside him and deadheaded one of the small blue flowers he was looking at.
‘Holding up okay?’ Amber asked quietly and he sighed.
‘Is it that obvious?’ he replied.
‘You look like someone who won the lottery and lost the ticket.’
He managed a laugh. ‘Sums it up perfectly,’ he said. She tidied another flowerpot with her fingers. ‘Did you do those?’ Walker asked and she nodded.
‘I love gardening. Just don’t get enough time for it,’ she said. ‘Although I read something the other day that said if you really want something, you have to make time for it.’ She looked at him meaningfully. Subtlety never had been Amber’s strong point.
‘I know what you’re getting at, Amber,’ he replied. ‘But there’s really nothing I can do. . . She knows how I feel. . .’ he trailed off as he felt someone beside him. Alex held out a beer for Walker and a glass of champagne for Amber, a tentative smile on his face.
‘Hi,’ Alex said, looking only at Amber. ‘Can we talk?’
Walker was almost holding his own breath as the two looked at each other. The emotion was palpable between them, the pull of attraction, the push of fear. Alex lifted the glass again in Amber’s direction, but she didn’t reach out to take it. The suspense was broken by the sound of breaking glass splintering across the patio and then Amber turned and was gone, striding towards the noise, telling people to be careful as she went. Alex sank, dejected, into the chair beside Walker and downed the champagne in one, long mouthful. Walker sipped his beer thoughtfully.
‘Mate,’ he said eventually, ‘I want to help.’
‘Don’t think there’s anything you can do, man.’ Alex sighed. ‘I just need to talk to her about the song. That might be the one thing that changes her mind. But she just won’t hear me out.’
The radio was turned up a notch again and Jayden was breakdancing on the lawn. Walker could have predicted what would happen next and was soon proved right. Gabi put down her drink and joined him. Sidestepping and clapping in time to begin with and then the two of them broke into a routine that she had obviously learned and practised– with a broken leg– and was now perfect. They spun and top-rocked, popped and locked and ended up both in a freeze. The gang erupted and Jayden and Gabi high fived and hugged like a dance duo. This woman had the biggest zest for life of anyone he’d ever known. Her smile was like a prize. His heart was literally hurting.
The next song started, the all too familiar introduction of Alex’s song.
‘I love this song!’ Isabella shouted and the volume went up again.
‘If this song is the one thing that might change Amber’s mind,’ Walker said, ‘then here’s your opportunity. My girl might be leaving, but yours is staying right here.’ He took Alex’s beer from his hand and pushed him gently in the direction of the gang. ‘Go get her, man.’
Chapter Sixty-Three
Gabi
‘Not this motherfucking songagain!’ Amber muttered under her breath when she heard the opening chords. ‘Seriously, I can’t take any more.’
‘What are you going to do if he gets super famous and plays this at every global concert in the world– anddedicatesit to you?’ Gabi whispered back. Amber pulled a face.
Gabi shook her head. ‘I still think you should talk. I think there are real feelings there.’
