Page 91 of Outback Reunion

‘I’ll see you both tomorrow,’ Mark said, when Luna had finally had enough. ‘Pick you up here about eleven?’

Gabi nodded, then Mark leaned close to her ear so only she could hear. ‘Will I see you tonight?’

His warm breath tickled the bare skin on her neck, and he may as well have whispered something wicked for the way her hormones reacted. She nodded, wishing they were alone so she could kiss him. So much for telling him they couldn’t continue their fling, but then again, the damage was done.

She may as well enjoy herself while she could.

‘I’ll come once Luna is asleep,’ she whispered. ‘Wait up.’

‘Don’t you worry. I will.’

Much later that night, when Luna’s breathing finally changed to indicate she was asleep, Gabi placed a delicate kiss on her forehead and then climbed out of bed. She pulled off the short PJs she’d put on earlier so Luna wouldn’t suspect anything and then threw on a dress she’d borrowed from Dalia Saad that afternoon. She’d already worn her faithful yellow sundress twice in Mark’s presence and wanted to make an effort, even if the dress would likely spend more time on his bedroom floor than on her.

Happy with her outfit and not wanting to waste any more time when she could be with him, she plucked a pen off the table and scribbled a quick note for Luna, on the off-chance that she woke up and found her gone.

Couldn’t sleep, so gone for a walk. Back soon, darling. If you need anything, go see Granny. Love Mum. xoxox

Then, putting the note on her own pillow next to Luna and telling Basset—who was snoring beside her—to take care of their girl, she slipped from the caravan, miraculously not waking Loud Mouth as she shut the door behind her.

The stars were bright in the sky and there were still a few lights on in caravans. She heard the scraping of cutlery on bowls as performers ate late dinners and was almost at her wagon when raised voices erupted from one of the staff trailers. It sounded like the Saad sisters were having another one of their heated arguments. These had been happening more frequently lately, ever since Jasmine had slept with a Globe of Death rider that Amina had her eye on, but Dalia, ever the peacekeeper, usually managed to get them to make up before it affected their performances.

Hopefully tonight, their loud shouts in Arabic would distract everyone from the noise of Gabi starting the wagon. Her pulse quickened as she reached for the door handle.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’

She jumped at the shrill but brittle voice and turned her head slowly to see the elderly woman stepping from behind the other side of the car. Was this what a heart attack felt like?

‘Muriel! You scared me half to death.’

Muriel’s unruly eyebrows lifted almost to the roots of her hair, which was pulled back in a tight, grey bun. ‘You’re not doing a midnight runner, are you?’

‘What? Of course not,’ Gabi spluttered, her heart rate slowly returning to normal. She may have contemplated it more than once, but it was nothing more than a fantasy. And as if she’d ever leave without Luna. ‘I’m just going to see a friend.’

‘What friend?’

Gabi swallowed, but before she could answer, Muriel barrelled on. ‘Is this the friend who was here the other day helping you with your car? The man who was lurking around like a bad smell this morning?’

Lurking?Gabi almost laughed. Andbad smell? Mark never smelled anything but delicious. ‘Yes. The friend who also saved your great-granddaughter from drowning yesterday.’

‘You think I came down in the last shower?’ Muriel made a sound similar to a horse snuffling. ‘Since when does one sneak out late at night to visit friends? You are off to sleep with that man.’ She jabbed her finger against Gabi’s chest. ‘What would your daughter think? What would Dante think?’

At the mention of Luna and Dante, something snapped inside her.

How dare Muriel treat her like a child! She was a grown-up, single woman for crying out loud and she shouldn’t have to explain herself to anyone. Especially not this woman. Whereas Eve and Lorenzo had always treated Gabi like one of the family, Muriel had never thought her good enough for her darling grandson.

Would she think differently if she knew the truth? Gabi wasn’t sure. Muriel was just as likely to make excuses for Dante or blame her for provoking him.

‘This has nothing to do with Luna or Dante. Or you for that matter! What I do with my life is no concern of yours.’

‘Of course it is.’ Spittle flew from Muriel’s mouth. Gabi stepped back and resisted the urge to wipe her face. ‘I see the way you look at each other. You’re falling in love with him, but you need to remember that Luna belongs in the circus. She’s our flesh and blood and if you try and take her away from us, you’ll lose. You’re nothing without us, Gabriela, remember that.’

Recalling Mark’s words last night, Gabi saw red. ‘I would never take Luna away from here, but you’re wrong about me. I don’t need you; I’m more than enough!’

Then, leaving the old witch to bluster, she climbed into her wagon and slammed the door. She had only a few more nights left to be with Mark, and she wasn’t going to let Muriel ruin any of them.

***

‘Mum? Can I ask you a question?’ asked Luna the following morning as Gabi was brushing Luna’s hair into a ponytail. They were getting ready for Mark’s friend’s barbecue.

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