Page 10 of The Forever Gift


Font Size:  

‘I can’t believe it’s up for sale,’ Gavin says, sounding both nostalgic and disappointed.

‘It is?’

‘Yeah.’ He nods. ‘Didn’t you notice the huge “For Sale” sign over the door?’

I shake my head. I don’t remember the walk from the hospital to here, or coming inside and taking my seat. And I definitely wasn’t paying attention to signs above the door.

‘So, another?’ the waitress asks still hovering, looking at me.

‘Yeah,’ I nod, realising I’d forgotten she was there.

I really, really don’t want to drink another sip of coffee but my hands are desperate for something to hold.

‘And, can I get a tall black, please? Double espresso,’ Gavin says.

‘Anything else?’ she asks.

Gavin and I look over at the small glass cabinet next to the till. There’s confectionary inside that looks as if it’s been there since our college years. It doesn’t matter to me, because despite not eating since last night, food is the last thing on my mind.

‘That’s all,’ Gavin says, turning back first. ‘Just the coffees. Thanks.’

Gavin and I wait in silence as the waitress walks away. She’s back behind the counter before I finally break a silence that’s fallen over us.

‘Thanks for coming,’ I say. ‘I don’t think I’d have coped alone.’

Tears glisten in Gavin’s eyes. ‘You don’t have to cope alone. We’ll get through this together.’

‘Yeah,’ I nod, not sure I believe him. ‘You, me and Kayla. We’re a team.’

Gavin swallows hard. ‘Where is Kayla today – school like normal?’

Normal.I close my eyes and wish for normal as I tuck a flyaway strand of hair behind my ear. I take a deep breath and open my eyes again, struggling to keep it together. ‘She’s in school now and she’s hanging out with Aiden later. You know Aiden, don’t you?’

Gavin nods. ‘Vaguely. Nice boy.’

‘He is,’ I say. ‘Aiden’s mother is picking them up after school; taking them back to her place. She knows I’ll be late home this evening.’

‘She knows…’ Gavin’s eyes widen, horrified.

‘That I will be late home,’ I reiterate. ‘Nothing else. She doesn’t know anything else. We have a sort of “Mam’s code” arrangement. I pick Aiden up if she’s running late and he has no key, she takes Kayla if I get stuck in work. It works out well. And Kayla’s happy.’

‘Good. Good,’ Gavin says, and I can tell he’s feeling left out of the loop.

Our coffees arrive, and the waitress sets them down without talking. I’m pretty sure she can sense the vibe at our table and wishes she could be anywhere else.

God, me too. Get me the hell out of here!

‘Thanks,’ I say, and she offers a mute smile over her shoulder as she carries on to the next table.

‘So, what have you said to people?’ Gavin asks, picking up his cup.

I don’t reach for mine.

‘What have I said to people?’ I repeat, shaking my head.

Gavin takes a mouthful of coffee with his eyes on me. It’s too hot. I can tell by his face as he sets the cup down on the table. ‘Kayla’s teachers, I mean. They’ll need to know, won’t they?’

‘Yeah,’ I say. ‘Yeah, I suppose they will.’ I hadn’t thought about all the people I’ll have to tell. I’ve only thought about Kayla.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com