Page 17 of The Unseen
“But we haven’t even had coffee and dessert,” Quinn protested.
“I think princess here drank too much. She gets maudlin when she drinks,” Brian explained as he helped Jill on with her coat.
“Sorry, Quinn,” Jill said. “Brian is right. I did drink too much. I’m just a little emotional these days, you know, given the situation.”
“I completely understand. Ring me tomorrow.” Quinn walked Jill and Brian to the door and waited until they got in the lift.
“Well, that went well,” Gabe said as he began to clear the table. “Brian clearly knows when it’s time for an emergency exit.”
“Jill’s more upset than she’s letting on. That shop meant the world to her.”
“I know. It’s never easy to let go of a dream.”
“Did you ever have a dream you had to let go of?” Quinn asked as she wrapped her arms around Gabe’s waist and pressed her cheek to his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“I tried to let go of my dream of you for eight years. I didn’t succeed.” Gabe drew her close and kissed the top of her head.
“Thank God,” Quinn murmured.
NINE
Quinn lifted the baby onto her shoulder and paced the room, rubbing his back gently. He’d been fussy since she fed him just after Jill and Brian left, and cried as soon as she tried to put him down in his cot. “What is it, little man?” Quinn asked softly. “What’s troubling you?”
She continued to pace, hoping the baby would drop off to sleep, but he began to whimper every time she stopped. Gabe came into the bedroom, having finished clearing up in the kitchen. “Still fussing?”
“He won’t let me put him down. I’m exhausted.”
“Here, let me have him,” Gabe said as he held out his arms for the miserable baby. “I’ll get him down. Go to bed. You look knackered.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. You’ve got to be up in a few hours for the next feeding.”
“Thank you.”
Gabe held the child against his chest and cradled his head in his palm. Alex rested his cheek against Gabe. “I think he’s listening to my heartbeat.”
“He seems to find it soothing,” Quinn replied as she got ready for bed. “He likes it when you sing to him.”
“I don’t think I’m up for singing right now, but I’ll ring my mum. The sound of my voice might lull him to sleep.”
“It’s certainly worth a try.”
Gabe walked through to the other room and picked up his mobile. “What do you say we lie down for a bit?” he asked the baby as he settled on the sofa with the child lying on him. “Thereyou go. Isn’t that comfortable?” Gabe pulled an afghan over them both. Alex began to fuss again, but seemed to settle down once Gabe began to speak.
“Hi, Mum,” he said softly. “How are you?”
“Why are you whispering?”
“I have Alex with me. He’s having a hard time falling asleep.”
“I see. Have you tried singing?”
“I don’t want to give the child nightmares.”
“You have a lovely voice,” Phoebe protested. “I always took you caroling with me when you were a boy.”
“Yes, I remember cringing with embarrassment when you made me do a solo of ‘Silent Night.’”
