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I flop back against the mattress and stare up at the roof. ‘Sometimes it feels like everyone makes a big deal about being out and proud. There’s so much pressure to live your authentic life that sometimes people forget how dangerous it can be. How much we risk.’
‘I’m not ready,’ Gabriel admits. ‘For any of it.’
Rolling onto my side, I face him. ‘Why don’t you chill here for a bit? We’ll make food and watch something on Netflix.’
‘That’d be nice.’
‘We can plan our tourist bucket list for tomorrow. Is there something you’d like to do?’
Gabriel’s face lights up. ‘Lukas told me about this one place . . .’
Later, I find a packet of microwave popcorn in the deep recesses of the cupboard. As I pop it, Gabriel selects an episode of a cake-decorating show to watch.Sadie jumps on the lounge and settles against Gabriel, much to his complete delight and my absolute chagrin. Cockblocking dog.
Just after six, I hear the front door open. Sadie leaps from Gabriel’s side and dashes down the hallway.
‘Oh, hello you!’ Margie says as she closes the door. ‘Noah, are you in, honey?’
Gabriel looks at me, and then at the back door, clearly planning an exit route.
‘It’s just my housemate, she’s cool, I promise,’ I assure him as I pause the TV. ‘I’m in the lounge, Margie! A friend just popped by; I hope that’s okay.’
‘Of course it is!’ she calls back as she shuffles her way down the hallway. She appears with a handful of groceries, a cotton tote full of books, and her bike helmet skew-whiff on her head. She looks down at Gabriel and smiles. ‘Hello again, dear.’
‘Hello,’ he murmurs, clearly embarrassed. ‘Sorry again about the door.’
‘That old thing had it coming, don’t worry,’ Margie replies. ‘You did me a favour. Who knows who could have kicked down the door?’
Gabriel stands up to shake her hand. ‘I’m Gabriel, by the way.’
I take the grocery bags from Margie and begin unpacking them on the kitchen bench, watching Gabriel and Margie across the open-plan space.
‘Gabriel,’ she repeats. Now that Gabriel’s standing at his full height, Margie’s entire demeanour changes. ‘TheGabriel. From the TV.’
Oh no. I abandon the groceries and step back into the living room just as Margie collapses into her recliner. Gabriel looks at me like,Ididn’t do anything! Promise!
‘Are you okay, Margie?’ I ask. She stares wide-eyed at Gabriel, her mouth moving around words that don’t come.
‘She’s just a bit shocked,’ Gabriel replies. ‘It happens. Some water might help.’
I have no idea how often Gabriel’s mere presence shocks people into stupors, but Margie comes back to herself quickly, clearly not happy being the centre of attention. ‘Right, well. You played very well today, and it’s lovely to meet you. I just, um, I just didn’t expect you to be in myhome.’
Gabriel laughs. ‘Me as well.’
Margie turns to me. ‘How long have you known each other? Why didn’t you tell me, Noah? I thought you hated tennis.’
‘I don’thatetennis,’ I say, more to Gabriel than Margie. ‘It’s just a confusing sport.’
Gabriel shoots me a teasing glare. ‘We met a few days ago. I walked into his bar.’
Margie smiles at us both. ‘That’s a bit romantic.’
Gabriel opens his mouth to protest. ‘Don’t even bother,’ I cut in. ‘She clocked me as a gay the moment I set foot in her house. At the very least, you’re gay by affiliation.’
‘Is this asecret affair?’ Margie continues, clearly delighted by the entire situation. ‘How scandalous. Of course, I’ll keep it to myself.’ She clasps a hand over Gabriel’s. ‘You must stay for dinner, honey. I bought a few lamb chops from the butcher on my way home and they’re going straight on the barbeque.’
‘Barbeques with lamb chops are very Australian,’ I inform Gabriel. ‘It’s like the holy grail of authentic Australian experiences. An essential tourist must-do.’
He gives me a meaningful look, and like the Grinch, I feel my heart swell a few sizes.
