“I’m meeting up with Slim, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Roger’s shoulders slumped. “It’s not and you know it’s not.”
Gabe felt bad for disappointing his dad, but the last thing he wanted to do was play the dating game. “I get that you mean well, but–”
Roger put a hand up to silence Gabe. He indicated they take a seat at the table.
Gabe had heard it all before and telling himself God loves a trier, did as he was told. Placing his arms on the table, he clasped his hands. It was conversation they’d had numerous times and it always ended with the same result.
“Look, I know you think I don’t understand,” Roger began. “That it’s easy for me to have an opinion.”
Happy to let his dad ramble, Gabe settled himself down for the long haul.
“And Lord knows, I’ve already spent what most people consider a lifetime with the most beautiful woman a man could wish to meet.”
Gabe smiled at his mum’s memory.
“Yes, I go out and have fun, but after your mother, I’m not looking for a partner. For me, life’s about making the most of my twilight years. Enjoying good food, great conversation, and… well, you know.”
Gabe shuddered. He didn’t want to even think about his dad’s sex life.
“I suppose what I’m trying to say, Gabe, is it’s been two years now. Don’t you think it’s time to move on? To give yourself a chance to find what me and your mum had?”
Gabe appreciated the concern, however misplaced. “I have moved on, Dad. Honestly.”
Roger sighed. But it wasn’t a sign of defeat. “Tell you what, why don’t I postpone Brianna so we can have a boys’ night out? I can give you some tips. Even better, you can see them in action.”
Gabe’s eyes widened in horror.
“And I’m more than happy to be your wingman. In fact, thinking about it, we’d make a great team.”
Trying not to picture the scene, Gabe let out a laugh. “Thanks for the offer, Dad. But I’m good.”
“WhatcanI do to help then?” Roger gestured to Gabe’s running shoes and sportswear. “In case you’ve forgotten, therearebetter forms of exercise, you know.”
Again, Gabe shuddered. “Have you ever considered I might be content with the way things are?”
“Nope.” It seemed Roger wasn’t for budging.
Gabe got up from his seat. “Then maybe it’s time you did.”
“I haven’t considered it because despite what you say, you’re not happy, son.” Roger folded his arms and leant back in his seat. “I know you better than you think.”
“Trust me, Dad.” Picking up his bottle of water, Gabe patted his dad’s shoulder. “I’m absolutely fine.”
Roger sneered but it was to no avail.
Ready to end the conversation once and for all, Gabe exited the room and headed upstairs for his much-needed shower.
CHAPTER4
Hannah locked the front door behind her and hastened down the garden path to her car. Climbing in, she threw her bag down on the passenger seat. Flustered, she took a deep breath to calm herself before starting up the engine. Sticking the vehicle into gear, she slammed on the accelerator and headed into town.
She couldn’t believe she was running late. Fed up with her own company, it turned out having a spotless house in which to admire her treasures wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and as the one to suggest that evening’s soiree, the least Hannah thought she could do was get there on time.
She crossed her fingers as she approached a set of traffic lights, willing them to stay green. She groaned in frustration as they turned red, leaving her no choice but to bring her car to a standstill. Finally, they went from red to amber, but a teenage boy stepped out preventing Hannah from moving. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said, as the boy dawdled across the road.
Finally able to get going again, Hannah drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as she drove. She normally had an excuse for running late; Beth not coming out of piano practice on time; Archie’s football match going to penalties; both of them too busy having fun with their friends to realise their personal taxi was at the door. With no such justification that evening, it seemed time management was an issue even when it needn’t be.
