They reached the end of Foxglove Street and Peter pointed across the road.
“We’ll cross here and join the path that leads down to the riverside.”
They navigated the Saturday traffic on the road and made it to the other side where they followed a pathway to the riverbank below. The small river flowed south between the surrounding streets and roads built around it. Once they were walking beside the water, the sound of traffic quickly disappeared to be replaced with quacking ducks and chirping birds.
“It’s so peaceful here,” Gaby said, closing her eyes for a moment to enjoy the sunshine on her face. “You’re lucky having such a pretty riverside walk to enjoy right on your doorstep.”
“You’re right, but the truth is I rarely come here. That’s what happens when you live in a place with nice stuff. You don’t appreciate it properly.”
“Well, you should. Look at what you’re missing out on.”
“I know. But life gets busy. You know how it is.”
“I do know.”
“I suppose it’s different for you, though, working around the world and always having new places to explore.”
“That’s true. No matter how busy I am wherever I’m working, I always make the most out of the local area and get to know it while I’m there. That’s one of the perks of always moving from place to place. Nothing ever gets familiar and I always appreciate the surroundings and do as much as I can while I’m there.”
“You have an exciting life, Gaby. It makes me happy to know you’re out there living the life you talked about building for yourself back when we were kids.”
“It wasn’t easy and there are always ups and downs in any job and in any life. But I love what I do.”
“I was thinking about that list of places you showed me, the one you wrote out at university and with the tick marks against the destinations you’ve already visited. Once you complete the list, you should have it framed.”
Gaby laughed. “That’s a nice idea. Although my problem is I’m always adding new places to the list and I never actually finish it.”
“You don’t think you’ll ever want to stop somewhere and call it home?”
He glanced her way as he asked the question and Gaby wasn’t sure what to read into the expression on his face.
“I’ve never really given it much thought,” she answered honestly. “I love travelling around the world. All those new places still waiting to be explored, new sights to see, cities to visit. Not to mention so many beautiful hotels and resorts towork in. I love every minute of it all. I get to live my dream and that never gets old.”
“Of course it doesn’t,” he said and smiled.
Although she couldn’t help noticing that his smile wasn’t especially bright, as if what she’d said wasn’t quite what he’d hoped to hear.
Noise on the pathway up ahead had them both glancing up to see a group of boys racing towards them on bikes. They moved to one side to let them pass but as the kids drew closer they began to slow down.
“Mr Bailey!” one of the boys called out as he skidded his bike to a stop, his friends doing the same behind him. “What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like I’m doing, Freddie?” Peter said with a grin. “I’m out for a walk.”
“It’s weird seeing teachers out of school,” Freddie said.
“Well, the headmaster does let us leave from time to time, and that’s something you should get used to.”
The boys giggled. Gaby guessed they were at that age, in their very early teens, where they were still children and still sweetly childish, too.
“Hey, Mr Bailey, is that your girlfriend?” one of the boys asked, prompting another round of giggling.
“No, Samuel, this is not my girlfriend,” Peter said. “This as an old friend of mine, Miss Leonard. You boys remember your manners, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir. Hello, Miss Leonard.”
Each of the four boys chipped in with their polite greeting and Gaby had to cover a laugh at being referred to as if she were a teacher. It stood to reason that the school and its teachers would insist on these sorts of formalities both in and out of school hours. She liked that the kids were taught to be respectful.
Gaby said hello and smiled but the boys’ attention was soon back on Peter.
