Storymania - Taming Sophie by Martine Hayes (Chap. 2)

Taming Sophie (Continued)
Martine Hayes

Chapter 2

Clive finally went to sleep. He had spent all night searching for any trace of sophie. She was no where to be seen. Every tube station, every train station. He has lost her. Perhaps she would return.

Clive was older than sophie, he was almost 40, good career in architecture, great bank balance. Good looking, liked to keep himself in shape. He was kind, although sometimes stubborn. Sophie said it was the child in him. His house was large, well situated within the heart of London. The floors were wooden, his furnishings were expensive. He liked the nice things in life. That's why he loved Sophie. They had met at the Hilton. It was after a casino night, he noticed her there. She was shy at first, she was cheeky and young, her face was full of joy and danger. She seemed to enjoy the thrill of his gaze. This was her first time in London, she was very naive and extremely pretty. Sophie was so excitable, it showed at the blackjack table, she had won again. She was pretty in a bland sort of way. Her clothes were cheap, a black strapless dress which showed her elegant curves. Her shoes were patent leather, new. She had come to London to enjoy herself, and that was exactly what she was doing.

‘Congratulations Miss’

The croupier passed her chips. Sophie was on a winning roll, and loved the attention of the other customers as they circled around to watch as the young girl gambled away her ever increasing winnings. She lost this one, but she was well ahead of her initial ten pounds stake.

‘I think I will pass now’ She smiled at Sarah who hadn’t been as careful, and had lost the lot.

Sophie collected her chips and made her way to the roulette table, her friend wasn't having as much luck as she was. Sophie placed the chips in front of Sarah and began to count.

‘You lucky cow’ Sarah sniggered.

‘Hey, it was skill not luck’ They both laughed. It was Sarah who had won the weekend for two. Sarah was the same age, they had been best friends since school.

Sarah jolted Sophie in the ribs and directed her attention towards the Blackjack table.

‘Hey, check out that man over there in the grey suit.... I think he likes you Sophie.’

‘Where?’ Sophie glanced over, eager to acknowledge Sarah’s remarks.

‘Behind the woman with the purple dress.’

Sophie peered again and followed Sarah’s directions. An older man stood in conversation with a waiter, his eyes met with hers and Sophie turned away, embarrassed that he had caught her looking at him.

‘Get real, he's old enough to be my dad.’ Yet inside, she felt an attraction towards him, something which was willing her to look again. She didn’t dare look, she couldn’t let him see her looking at him again.

They both chuckled and laughed, Sophie felt brave and looked again. Clives eyes were fixed on her. It made her feel quite sexy. She exaggerated her movements, she wanted him to look at her. She felt great. She felt rich, she was playing with the rich people now. She wasn't in the office now. She wasn't just a secretary to a disgusting old womaniser, she was up there with the rest. Sarah was getting drunk. The champagne had hit her harder than a baseball bat. Yet, she took some more.

‘Sarah, be careful, you'll get horny, and you ain't coming in my bed you mad bitch.’ Sophie giggled.

‘Maybe I can grab one of those oldies eh, see if they've passed their use by date.’ Sarah replied in a giggle.

‘Get real, they might smell of decay or something worse... Old spice.’ Remarked Sophie, trying hard to restrain herself from revealing her sultry laugh from the entire casino.

‘Hey, I like the smell of Moth Balls.’ Sarah slurred, as she bent forward in a noisy wave of laughter. She had left her bag of pride and sophistication beside the now empty bottle of Champagne. Her inhibitions had gone within the first half hour of drinking the pleasant but intoxicating fluid, which seemed to reach the bottom of the glass much too quickly.

‘Really, How do you get their legs open?’ Sophie asked jokingly, sending Sarah into a fireball of silliness. She doubled over in laughter which seemed to fill the whole room. Sophie looked on in horror as the entire audience turned to see the drunken sights of Sarah giggling uncontrollably to herself.

Sophie could still feel Clive's eyes on her. She didn't dare look.

‘He's still watching, do you want him Sophie?’ Sarah’s voice had changed, and become much louder than before. Sophie dropped her head, trying desperately to hide herself from the glare of the onlookers. She, herself was finding it all too amusing and was trying hard to contain the laughter within. She expected to be shown the door in an instant and thought it best to take her clowning friend elsewhere.

‘Come on, let’s get out of here. I think we’ve entertained enough for one night.’ Sophie still found it hard to look at Sarah without laughing.

‘Let's phone for a taxi, and go trip the late clubs, maybe we'll find some younger talent eh?’ Mumbled Sarah.

‘It's gone 3am, we can do that tomorrow night, lets just go to the hotel and order some food. instead.’ Sophie tried hard to convince her.

‘Yeah you’re right, anyway they don't have taxi's here, they have ambulances for the elderly.’ Sarah started to giggle, it was a giggle of all giggles, one that would stay around for a while. The champagne had induced a laughable atmosphere for her, one which she had no control over.

Sophie and Sarah walked towards the foyer of the casino, Sarah staggered to keep herself straight. They could be heard giggling as they left the premises. Sophie turned around to find the eyes still fixed apon her. He was quite cute. He reminded her of George Cloony. She helped Sarah down the steps and helped her with her jacket.

‘Stop fidgeting, stay still you daft cow,’ laughed Sophie as she struggled with Sarah.

Sarah's arms were everywhere. She just couldn't stop giggling.

‘It's sore,’Moaned Sarah.

‘Then stop laughing’ Replied Sophie in a sarcastic tone.

‘I can't.’ Came the giggling reply of Sarah.

‘Shhh! people will stare at us.’ Sophie was still aware of her inhibitions.

‘Why? cause were so damn gorgeous?’ laughed Sarah throwing her arms high in the air.

‘Get this jacket on.’ Sophie pleaded.

Sophie propped Sarah against the wall, and made her way to the edge of the pavement to flag down a taxi. A large, dark car appeared from behind the building. It drove slowly towards the two giggling females.

Sophie moved back from the edge of the road. The car stopped and the window lowered. The familiar face of the man from the casino popped his head out from the shadows.

‘Can I offer you a lift ladies?’

'No, but thank you anyway....’ Sophie remained polite.

‘OH taxi's here, take me to your leader’ Sarah opened the door and stepped inside. She was still chuckling. Sophie had to follow, there was no making sense with Sarah, she was at the stupid stage of drunkenness.

‘Oh this is posh, ain’t it Sophie. ...there isn't a smell of piss or sick anywhere, not like our usual taxi's back home.’

Clive ignored her friends comments, he stared at sophie the whole time. She stared back, she was reading his mind, it was open. She was dealing with passion for the first time in her life. His hand searched for hers. He wanted to feel her soft skin. His hand felt huge and folded neatly around hers, she felt safe, she felt horny, she wanted him to touch her legs. She wouldn't stop him.

‘Oi, you’ve just gone past my hotel, look! There is the wee man who opens the door for me.’

‘We're going to a party Sarah, at....She hadn’t been intoduced. She beckoned him to tell her.

‘Clive, Clive Moston’ His voice was smooth and mature. His eyes stayed fixed on Sophie.

‘Clives house’ She replied, she too had her eyes secured into his.

‘Oh, cool.’ Sarah closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The house was softly lit and very male orientated, there were no flowers or cushions, there was a smell of aftershave and the windows had no curtains. It was nicer than her hotel room. He obviously has money. The suite was leather, the ornaments were unusual, some were ugly, but they looked like the ones in magazines, the magazines showing rich people. Sophie had often imagined her self in one of these houses, and tonight her wish had come true. She enjoyed being surrounded by wealth. She hadn't seen it before, it made her forget herself. She wasn't just Sophie anymore, with the usual night out in Glasgow and a kebab on the way home. She was in a rich man's house, he was about to take her to the Grande bedroom with a four poster bed and silk sheets, he was about to make mad, passionate love to her. He would call her darling and honey, he would adore her. He would he her knight in shining armour. Sophie accepted the glass of malt, she hadn't tasted it before, but she had seen rich people drinking it on the television. She put the glass to her lips, it was whiskey, she .hated whiskey. Her father drank the stuff. Then he hit her mum. She put the glass on the table. Sarah was flopped in the armchair.

‘Can I put my friend to bed?’

‘Sure, in here’

They both helped her into one of the rooms, it was a pretty room, it looked feminine, there were floral designs on the bed cover. The bed was unslept in, it looked so new. There were cushions on the window box. Clive closed the shutters on the window, and left Sophie to attend to her friend.

She returned to the sitting room to the sound of gentle music. It was opera, she didn't like it much. She pretended she did, she didn't want to disappoint Clive. He sat beside her and placed his hand on her thigh. Sophie leaned towards him, she closed her eyes and felt his lips on hers. His hands caressed her all over, and she returned the motion, encircling her hands around his back. Clive stopped and stood up, he took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom.

There was no four poster bed or silk sheets, there was a bed and there was Clive. Sophie never looked at the room, it was the nicest she had seen, she was happy with that. Clive unzipped her black dress from behind, and gently kissed her shoulders and neck. Sophie was his. Her dress fell revealing her dark, slender figure. Clive held her in his arms and lowered her to the bed. She could feel the warmth of his body pressed against hers. She could feel her heart beating anxiously and she felt totally out of sync with her emotions. His hand drifted slowly to her legs and Sophie gasped with pleasure, a gasp she hadn’t meant for him to hear. She felt embarrassed that she couldn’t control her breathing. Her mind drifted into a state of pleasurable unconsciousness. She was unaware of her surroundings, more aware of his touch which seemed to be the only sense she had left. His breath grew deeper and more hasten as she gripped him tight. Her body seemed light and fully sensuous in a way she had never felt before as he gently caressed each inch. She felt a passion so deep within her that it almost touched her very soul, the full moon beamed on in ignorance of it’s significant beauty as she reached a stage of climax that she had never known to exist. Their bodies lay entwined and tired as they enjoyed the after glow allowing them more time to hold each other close, neither wanting to sleep.

Sarah's head hurt as she tried to open her eyes, She could hear the sound of feet walking on a hollow floor. There was an unusual echo of voices and laughter. She finally came to. Sarah opened her eyes and began to look at the strange room which surrounded her. This wasn't her hotel room. This was nicer and more expensive, who's room was she in? She sat up in the bed, she was naked except for her underwear, at least she hadn’t slept with anyone. She got out of the bed and pulled on her trousers. Her top was smelling of tobacco and drink, she had to put it on. She walked towards the door of the room and in the echo she could hear Sophie. She was laughing. Sarah opened the door, the corridor had many doors in it, but none of the doors had numbers, this wasn't a hotel, it was someone's house. Sarah followed the noise and entered the sitting room. Clive had Sophie in his arms and was tickling her waist. He stopped and looked at the ragged, hungover figure by the door.

‘Good morning, or should I say good afternoon,’ Clive welcomed her.

Sophie turned, she was pleased to see that Sarah was awake. Sarah glanced at her watch.

‘It's gone 12 why didn't you wake me Sophie?’ Asked the pale looking figure.

‘Wake you!, you must be joking, we tried.’ Sophie laughed.

‘Who is he, and where are we?’Sarah kept her voice to a low whisper.

‘This is Clive and we are in his house so please show a little more respect.’ Sophie returned in a whisper.

‘Any breakfast?, I'm starved.’ Sarah gasped with relief. At least she now knew where she was, she couldn’t remember leaving the casino, in fact, she couldn’t remember much.

Clive could see Sophie was embarrassed by Sarah's blunt behaviour. He guided Sarah to the kitchen.

‘Help yourself.’ He requested in a pleasant voice. He directed her towards the warm, fresh coffee.

‘Thanks’ Sarah offered a smile towards the accommodating stranger as she took up the offer of some fresh coffee.

Sophie filled herself another cup of coffee and sat down opposite Sarah at the table, she stared uncomfortably at Sarah and said nothing.

‘What's up?’Asked the extremely hungover Sarah.

‘Do you have to be so rude to him, I think he's sweet.’ Said Sophie.

Sarah stared back. ‘You have that stupid look in your eyes, all wishy washy.’ Sarah was always so direct in her evaluations.

‘Shut up’ Sophie’s tone altered as she tried to impose a more serious attitude towards her friend.

‘You do, you're in love… again I can see it in your eyes, their all gooey.’ Sarah laughed and made her eyes go skelly before grabbing some cooked chicken legs from the fridge. She poured some coffee and sat beside her friend.

‘You don't even know him.’ Sarah calmly tried to remind her.

‘I do, he's okay.’ Sophie was quick to jump to his defence.

‘You never.... Please Sophie, you never?’

Sophie hung her head to hide a cheeky grin. Sarah bit hard into the chicken. She ate it all and went for some more. She stared at Sophie.

‘You slept with him, well, was he good?’ Sarah mocked.

Sophie said nothing, but a grin told just as much. Sarah declined and finished eating.

‘I need a bath, do you think Clive will mind?’ Sarah asked.

‘I told you, he's lovely, of course he won’t mind.’ Her eyes lit up at the mention of his name.

‘He's old.’ Said Sarah, giggling

‘He is not’ Came Sophie’s rapid reply.

Clive entered the kitchen and kissed Sophie, Sarah sighed.

‘I think now is a good time to go for a bath.’ Said Sarah as she rose from the table.

Sophie followed her with a mission to get into some heavy conversation with her.

‘Sophie, he'll think were strange going in the bathroom together.’ Sarah laughed.

‘I have to talk to you alone.’ Sophie’s voice held some seriousness in it.

Sarah undressed and got into the bath. Sophie grabbed the shampoo and began to wash Sarah's hair. Sarah relaxed as she found herself without any energy. She felt ill.

‘He wants me to work for him.’ Sophie started. Sarah listened.

‘He says I can be his PA’ Sophie seemed excited at the prospect.

‘Fuck off.’ Laughed Sarah, reaching for the soap.

‘No, really, he has his own architect company. He designs buildings.’

‘I know what a bloody architect is.’

He says I can move m with him.’ Sophie hesitated as she told her.

Sarah was shocked.

‘Are you mad? Don't you think this guy might be a fuckin headcase or something? You don't know him, and your already packing in your life to come and stay here, it might be great to live in this house and have lots of dosh, but how come this guy isn't married or how do you know he isn't married or seeing someone else, a good catch like him-wanting you? Get real Sophie, there's a place for fairy tales and it ain’t here.’ Sarah’s pitch got louder. Sophie detected the beginings of an argument. One that she wasn’t sure whether she could win or not.

‘I know, but something feels right, totally right. I want to stay.’ Sophie seemed defiant.

‘This gets better as it goes along.’ Remarked Sarah, trying to wash herself and talk at the same time.

‘Well, you might be happy in that whole up the road, but it's rotten, it's poverty with sunglasses. Its crap and you know it. Why shouldn't I take this offer with both hands?’ Asked Sophie.

‘Cause it aint fuckin’ real Sophie, there is nothing totally right about it, it's not adding up. Get the picture?’ Sarah was begining to worry that she may have lost the fight before it had begun.

‘I like him.’ Announced Sophie.

‘I like Brad Pitt, maybe you could get Clive to phone him and see if I could move in with him and work as his PA.’ Answered Sarah sarcastically.

‘Please, be serious....I’

‘I am being serious, it's you that has to waken up, I have a hangover, and I still seem to have more sense than you. Go away let me bathe. I'll be out in a minute.’ Sarah threw the soap into the water. She didn’t want to hear anymore about it.

Sophie closed the door behind her and went to finish her coffee. Clive poured her a fresh one.

‘Your friend isn't happy with the idea?’ His voice was sympathetic.

Sophie said nothing, she knew Sarah would be pondering over the idea, she knew that Sarah would not be for the idea.

‘She doesn't want to see you get hurt, I can understand that.’ Clive interrupted her thoughts.

"And will you?" She asked earnestly.

‘What?’

‘Hurt me, is this all pretence, do you really want me?’ Clive put his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead.

‘Of course I won't hurt you, since I laid eyes on you I have done nothing but dream of waking up next to you every morning. I have fallen in love with you.’

‘You said you were married once, what happened?’

‘Christina, she died my daughter too, in a car accident.’

‘I'm sorry, I had no idea. How long ago?’

‘Almost a year, my daughter was only 6 at the time, I was driving the car. We had been into the town for Sammy's school clothes. On the way home we got a puncture, the car spun out of control and I hit another car, head on. The driver of the other car is okay. I came round 3 weeks after the accident it took the doctors another 2 weeks before telling me the bad news. I had been assured they were all fine and to get myself well. They were afraid to tell me while I was still seriously ill. I lost them both. Christina died instantly, little Sammy died one week later, she had terrible head injuries.’

Sophie could feel her eyes filling with tears, she could find no words of comfort to ease this man’s pain. She held him and swore she wouldn't leave him. Sarah emerged from the bathroom, she had wrapped the towel around her hair, and was looking no better than she did before going into the bath.

‘I feel like shit’ Sarah announced with her usual courtesy.

Sophie and Clive laughed at her as she shuffled across the kitchen floor.

‘I've asked Sophie to stay.’ Clive was calm in his confession.

‘I know, she told me’ Sarah kept her reply to a minimum.

‘She'll be safe here, I will look after her. You must believe me, I wouldn't hurt for anything,’

‘She's a big girl, Clive, she can do as she wants.’ Sarah answered as she fixed the towel on her hair.

Sarah felt sick, and rushed to the bathroom., leaving Sophie feeling the urge to apologies to Clive who was looking desperately abashed by Sarah’s bluntness. Even in his expensive suit , he looked rich, but almost naive. His eyes were the darkest green she had ever seen. His hair was a soft, strawberry brown with dashes of grey streaking through. He had a kind look, he seemed shy and almost nervous. His eyes averted Sophie’s glaze as he looked quickly at his watch.

‘She’ll be fine in a minute, she’s always sick when she has a hangover.’

Clive said nothing. He smiled at her and kissed her again.

‘I have to go out for a few hours, I’m expecting a client at the office in half an hour, you don’t mind waiting here do you? You are quite welcome to help yourself to anything. I shouldn’t be long.’ He waited eagerly for a reply with patience and sheer understanding. Sophie melted inside, she traced her eyes from the top of his neck, down onto his chest. She quickly recalled the feel of it against hers and how his arms had folded around her, neatly and securely. Her hands reached out and touched him she stood up and met her lips with his. It wasn’t hard to remind herself of the night before, the first night of her life. Clive had brought her to life last night, and like blood to a vampire, she needed some more. His breath fell upon her neck, making her shiver, her eyes closed as she once again lay limp and totally submissive in his arms. Clive was soon to dampen the fire as he reminded her that they were not alone. Sophie giggled at the thought of the unsuspecting Sarah entering the kitchen to encounter a boundless cascade of passion between the empty coffee cups and the left-over marmalade. Clive stood back and straightened his clothes, he rubbed his hair back into shape and asked her again.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving you for a while?’

‘No, I don’t mind, it’ll give me a chance to smarten myself up a bit.....Oh, I might have to go by the Hotel to pick up some clean clothes though, and I’m sure Sarah will too.’

‘There is a taxi number by the telephone.’

Sophie felt quite queasy herself, perhaps the day had brought too much excitement for her. She was on a carousel and she wasn’t sure where it would stop. For the first time in her life, she felt needed, she felt wanted and beautiful. She couldn’t let this go, she had to stay. She also knew that she had to let her parents know, not that they would show too much concern. Her father would probably moan about the impending lack of Sophie’s ‘dig money’ which was probably his only real income. It all went in the local anyway, along with the social security and the electric and the gas and any other money he managed to get his grubby fingers on. It was mum she felt sorry for. For years, she had put up with dad and his drinking problems. It had progressed rapidly since he was made redundant. He had worked at the local steel works since he left school. There had always been enough money in the bank, enough food on the plates and still able to afford luxury’s. Sophie remembered the Christmas before he was made redundant, she had got the best of everything, another new bike. More of her favourite LP’s and some really nice clothes. The wonderful Christmas lunch Turkey with all the trimmings, her mothers sister and her husband would come round for lunch with them, they would marvel at the feast before them. Every year was the same. Aunt Brenda and Uncle Joey and of course the brats Jamie and Kelly, the children from hell. They would receive an exceptional present too. Probably better than Uncle Joey could buy and certainly more expensive, Dad always made sure of that. Aunt Brenda would always wear her new Jumper, which Uncle Joey had bought her for Christmas, it was usually cheap and brightly coloured, but she liked them. Mum, on the other hand would have to be dressed in her new dress with matching jacket. She always picked her own presents, and dad never seemed to mind, money wasn’t a problem as long as it was within reason. Unlike dad, Uncle Joey hadn’t worked for years, he had a bad back which only hurt when the mention of work or when getting out of bed early was suggested. He had always been fat and hairy, and Sophie could always remember him having food stuck to his large, grey beard, which surrounded his entire face like a wire carpet. His soup would always dribble onto the beard and disappear into it, almost as if he something inside was eating it. He had large, bushy eye brows the same colour as his beard, and piercing blue eyes. They were contrasted against his red, chubby face. Uncle Joey was always moaning, he always had either just been to see the doctor, or was just about to go and see about his pains, which were always new, and never in the same place twice. She hadn’t dared to tell her mum about the night she stayed over at there house, the same night he had sneaked into her bedroom, the night she felt his hand wander under her quilt. She blanked the thought immediately. She loathed him, maybe one day she would tell her mother, but only when she could ease the pain of remembering that night. She could not comprehend what Aunt Brenda saw in him. Sophie’s mum had said that he used to be quite handsome when Aunt Brenda met him.

‘So was your dad. He swept me off my feet, mind you- your grandfather hated the sight of him.’

‘Why?’

‘Cause he was Protestant. Wasn’t any good for a young Catholic girl like me to see a ‘Heathen’ as your Grandfather called him.’

The days had changed. There was dad now a shivering alcoholic and almost penniless. His eyes were empty, passionless and no longer the man he used to be. It wasn’t always nice to be the only child, but Sophie was pleased not to have any younger brothers or sisters to look after. For the first time in her life she wanted to be selfish. She didn’t want to hear her mother cry herself to sleep because dad hadn’t come home, or because he had come home and hit her again. She loved them both dearly, but she had to move on. She knew they would be okay. She could send them some money, more money than before. She would send it to mum, and dad didn’t need to know.

Sarah emerged from the bathroom again, and poured herself a glass of water.

‘I’m ill’

‘You shouldn’t have drunk so quick, like it was going out of fashion’

‘The only thing going out of fashion is my bloody headache and these shivers, I hate champagne.’

‘Took you long enough to find out!’

‘Where’s lover boy?’

‘Clive has gone to the office to meet a client, he said he won’t be long.’

Sarah edged forward and looked into Sophie’s face.

‘Your not still going along with this Cinderella shit are you?’

‘Cinderella?’

‘Don’t act dumb Sophie, you know what I mean… I… I’

‘Your jealous ain’t you, go on just say it.’

Sarah stopped, she had nothing more to say, she knew it was useless even to attempt at reason. Sophie was hooked this time reason wasn’t part of her thinking, it was worse than a simple crush. At least with a crush, it was hardly ever acted on. Sophie seemed to have not one single ounce of common sense.

‘I need to go back to the hotel, are you coming? Oh I suppose you’d rather not leave just encase you come back to find that it’s all been a terrible mistake and the door is now locked eh?

Sophie lifted the phone and called for a taxi.

The taxi seemed to take ages to arrive at the hotel. Sophie and Sarah hardly spoke to each other. They stared out of the window at the crowds in the streets, barely noticing the taxi pulling into the hotel entrance.

‘I’m not jealous you know, I just don’t want you to get hurt, you don’t know him Sophie’

‘Your right, I don’t, but I want to get to know him, I like him he’s so honest and loving and he loves me Sarah.’

Sarah thought it best to change the subject, she knew she was getting nowhere very fast.

‘It’s our last night in London, shall we take in a show or something?’

‘Clive said he is taking us both out for a meal, all expenses paid and in one of the best restaurants in the City.’

Sarah suddenly felt in the way, she knew that Clive was only being polite for Sophie’s sake, but she couldn’t sit there with the two of them like a lemon. Sophie seemed so excited and was racing through her hand luggage to find something nice to wear. She pulled several items out of her bag, all from the catalogue.

‘Well, what do you think?’ Sophie held a pink satin dress up against her. She suited that dress. She had worn it at the night-club in Glasgow and could have pulled any guy in the place.

‘It’s lovely Sophie.’ Sarah smiled and sat on the bed.

‘What are you wearing tonight then?’

‘I’m not coming Sophie, I..I might just catch the late train and head home, you know how it is.’

‘Don’t be silly, you can’t just go home, it’s our last night together as a team. Me and You eh?’

‘No, it’s best if I go home, I’ve got some paper work to get finished before Monday anyway. And, with me out of the way, you could make that final decision on weather to stay, it’ll give you and Clive some time on your own to get to know each other properly. I’ll tell the boss your ill from the weekend and your having a week off or something, I’ll make some excuse. Then, the rest is up to you Sophie. I’ll have to rush now if I’m going to make that train.’

Sophie froze, head down and closed her eyes. She couldn’t stand to see her friend leave, she wanted her to stay forever, she wanted Clive and London to be in Glasgow, she knew the time had come to face reality, she felt scared, she felt alone.

‘I love you, Sarah. Your like a sister to me, please don’t be mad at me.’

‘I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at me, at Clive, at London, at fuckin’ winning this stupid weekend in the first place.’

Sarah was afraid of leaving her alone with Clive, but Sophie wanted him. There was nothing she or any one else could do. She had to leave, she had to go home, the weekend was officially over. She would go back to her boring job at the office with her womanising boss, she would go back to her dull, ordinary life. She would go back to working 9 to 5 and relaxing with a drink or some smack at weekends with her so called friends. She would return to a welcome smile from her mother June, and her little brother, Daniel now 12. The house would be clean and tidy as usual and her mother would have made a lovely stew or a nice roast. The smell of cooking would fill the whole house and a nice pleasant atmosphere would await her. She couldn’t wait to get home, she realised just how much she missed it. She realised too that she missed her occasional argument with her brother, she missed him too. She also knew that when she did arrive home, she would miss Sophie. Sarah hoped that this was just a phase and that eventually, Sophie would return home, perhaps older and wiser, but nevertheless, home.

The train pulled away and Sophie faced London, alone. She watched the train as it drifted slowly out of the station. At that moment in time, she thought she should have gone with Sarah. She gave a large sigh and began the first steps towards her new life.

Clive still wasn’t back when she returned to the house. The kitchen still had the cups and plates on the table, her last reminder of Sarah. She sat for a minute and tried to imagine them together on the train, going home. It would have been fun, just like the trip down. They would start off with a small tipple from Sarah’s bag, then as they journey went on, they would giggle and whispers would become louder. Sophie cleared the cups from the table and placed them carefully in some hot, soapy water. The sound of a key turning told her that her new love was home. Sophie ran to the door and threw her arms around Clive. She cried, and she held him so tight.

Dinner was lovely that night, but Sophie still couldn’t find the energy to enjoy herself. She was without her other half. She wondered where Sarah might be. She knew that she would be home and probably unpacking, whilst telling June all about the trip. June would probably want to know all about Clive and worry as to whether Sophie was all right. Then Sarah would probably phone a few friends and they too would want to know all the details.

The night had ended so quickly and Clive had been patient and kind as Sophie expected him to be. They made their way home and lay together silently on the bed. She would phone her mum tomorrow.

‘I’ve arranged for a few of my work friends to come over tomorrow night for a drink, that way I can introduce you to them, and vice-versa. You don’t mind do you?’

‘No, that seems nice, I would love to meet your friends, I won’t be the only female though?’

‘Not at all, most of them are married, and of course there is Claire, she’s young and exciting, I think you’ll like her, She works in the next office, she’s an up and coming Architect with brilliant prospects.’

Sophie closed her eyes, and drifted into a deep, well needed sleep.

Go to chapter: [<<Prev] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 [Next>>]