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“How was she?”
“Frosty.”
“I’m sorry.”
Gabi shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting anything else.” They sat quietly for a while. “Are you okay?” Gabi asked. It was a dumb question, but what else could she say? She stroked Aisha’s face and stared into her bloodshot eyes and wished more than anything she could take away the pain.
“I will be,” Aisha said.
“Shall we go?”
Aisha nodded and they hired a taxi from the ones waiting in the rank outside the hospital.
“Do you want to pick up your things?” Gabi asked.
Aisha shook her head. “I never want to go back. I don’t want to be reminded of them. I want to forget they exist.”
Gabi appreciated the sentiment, but Aisha wasn’t thinking clearly and once the heat of emotion had subsided, she would be left with regrets. Gabi didn’t want that for Aisha, or for them. “Aisha.”
Aisha stared out of the window.
“Aisha.”
“What?”
“I know you’re angry and hurt, but you won’t always feel that way. You love them, and that’s not going to change.”
Aisha stared at Gabi with a blank expression that Gabi had never seen before. “I don’t care if she dies,” she said.
Gabi didn’t believe she meant it. They travelled to Gabi’s in silence. Aisha needed time to think things through before they left Granada. She had to know that her mama was okay, or if not, that she had the opportunity to pay her last respects. She might not realise it right now, but Gabi did. And she wouldn’t let them leave until Aisha had calmed down.
Gabi tucked her up in bed and went to the living room. She explained everything to Nana over a large vodka Coke.
“I need another sherry, Gabriela,” Nana said and topped up her glass. “I can’t believe that Pilar would do this. If I was twenty years younger, I’d knock some sense into the woman.”
Gabi shook her head. “It’s cruel and heartless.”
They stared towards the river. Reds and pinks rose from behind the hills and cast a lighter hue across the opposing landscape. It was as if someone had dusted the treetops with pink candyfloss. Gabi handed over the rectangular box she’d wrapped in fine silver paper and a red bow.
Nana smiled. “What is this?”
“Open it. I made it, and I’d like you to have it.”
Nana carefully unwrapped the gift and opened the box. She lifted the spiral necklace and stared at it. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Gabriela.” She looked up, her eyes glassy, and her lip trembling. She placed the jewellery carefully back in the box.
“I’ll miss you,” Gabi said.
Nana cleared her throat and took a sip of her third sherry. “I’ll miss you,” she said.
Gabi bit her lip and wiped her eyes. Nana took her hand and held it. The warmth brought the tears on in floods.
“Everything will be fine, Gabriela.”
“I’m scared.”
“Cariño, you’re ready for this. You’ve found someone who makes your heart sing. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Gabi nodded.
