“So you’ll be helping me move my things out of Derek’s?” Sophie found her mobile phone, and started running down the numbers, searching for his name. A for Adam. B for Ben. C for Catherine, Claire, Clyde.
“Yes, we’re on, but don’t call now.” He snatched the mobile phone from her hands.
“We’re not on if I can’t call, we’re only on for Saturday if you… if you….”
“If I what?” Matthew asked and his eyes twinkled. “If I what, Sophie?”
“We’re only on for the move if I can make this call!” Sophie thrust her hand out.
Matthew shoved the mobile phone deeper into his front jeans pocket. “You'll have to get into my jeans if you want to call him. Trust me. You'll thank me in the morning.”
“Do all girls thank you in the morning?”
He threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” His voice was playful. “But I guess you’ll have to move your stuff from your ex’s place first.”
Sophie's eyes darted from his face, to his jeans where the mobile phone bulged, and then back to his dancing eyes. “Is that a challenge?”
A dimple formed on his cheek. “I dare you,” he said, nodding coyly. “You’re the girl who likes challenges, Miss Skinny Dipping.”
Sophie lunged at him. He was on.
***
Sophie woke up. Matthew was sprawled on the timber floor beside the couch. She jolted, lifting her body into an upright position. Her head spun round like she’d been riding a carousel for hours. Nausea rippled through her body. Her frenzied hands patted down her body like an airport security guard.
T-shirt, on. Jeans, on. She was fully clothed. Matthew’s shirt rode up showing his flat stomach, but despite the absence of his shoes and socks, he was also completely dressed.
She closed her eyes briefly, she was lucky this time; in the past she'd been known to make a drunken move. She rolled her eyes as images flashed through her mind. They’d flirted outrageously, she knew that.
Matthew slept on the floor. There was no one else in the room, just Matthew groaning. Sophie ran her hands through her hair, imagining the state it must be in, and like a burglar she quietly lifted herself up from the couch. Her stomach revolted at the movement.
She crept upstairs and past the bathroom, seeing Carol leaning over the sink, removing her makeup from the night before. Sunlight streamed into the bathroom: That was not a good sign. In November, it was always dark in London in the morning. Sophie’s throat felt like she’d swallowed ten razor blades. She could see Carol’s wide grin, from ear to ear.
“Do you know what time it is? I’m going to be so late for work.”
“Eight I think?”
“Shit. Oh my God, my dad’s coming round here. Remember, he's lost his job and I was going to explain to him how I’d moved out.”
“Sure, sure. No worries. I’ve got rehearsal all day anyway. I won’t be around.”
“What happened last night? I have the strangest memories,” Sophie said.
Carol’s face shone, radiating happiness. She threw a dirty cotton ball into the sink and grabbed Sophie by the hands. Carol suddenly swung Sophie around the bathroom. Wisps of hair floated around Carol’s forehead, her hair tumbling around her shoulders.
“I think I’m in love,” Carol said.
Sophie stopped, clutching her stomach. “What?” The spinning wasn't helping her hangover.
“Josh… he’s so amazing,” Carol said. “He left a few hours ago. Matthew was passed out… we couldn’t wake either of you.”
“I'm really happy for you.” As Sophie spoke Carol beamed. “Carol… Can you tell me what else happened?” She paused. “Did I do anything with Matthew? I can’t remember a thing.”
“Well,” Carol started. “He saved you from yourself. You were insistent on drinking and dialling, but he stopped you.”
A slight memory flicked in Sophie's mind. “Oh God, that’s right. Why would he do that for me?”
“So you didn’t come across as a complete desperado, calling your ex in the middle of the night. So you could do it when you were sober.”
“Oh. That was nice.”
“Yes, it was nice of him. But,” Carol continued, “you forced him to ring Mickey, and she’s arranging for you to get your things on Saturday.”
“No, no….” Sophie’s chest constricted. “If I do that, it’s really over. Really and truly over. Not temporary.”
Carol sighed. “Derek’s seeing someone else, Soph. He cheated on you and he hasn’t even tried to apologise to you about it. Besides, Matthew’s agreed to help you. He insisted, offering to help you move from your old apartment. He’ll be a hunk of a mover and you’re both going to my show. I can’t figure out whether it’s a date or just as friends. How did that even get into the bargain?”
“I have no idea. What the hell am I going to do? I can’t move my stuff.”
“You need to. Even if Matthew’s just a friend, he’ll help you get your things. You need to move on.”
“Shit. Shit. Shit.”
“Just run with it. Go with the flow. Matthew’s a nice guy. Harmless – and hot.”
Chapter 11
Sophie ran down the stairs, to where Matthew lay on the floor, comatose. She needed to get him up off the floor. Using a slim finger she prodded him.
“Morning Matt,” she said.
He opened a bleary eye. “Matt?” he said, shutting his eyes. “Am I already saddled with a new nickname? What happened to Mr. Swimming Coach? Taskmaster?”
“You’ve got to get up.”
“Little Miss Persistent.” He rolled over. “That’s what I’ll call you.”
“No, I don’t like that.” But it was better than Miss Fun-Time. Thank God he’d forgotten about that nickname.
“Miss Pest.” He cackled and rolled around on the floor. God, he was still drunk.
“Nope.” Sophie bit her lip. She had to stop seeing any humour in his responses or she’d never get him out of there.
“Oh, right. You preferred Miss Mermaid. Pardon me, I forgot.”
“My dad’s going to be here any minute. You need to get up and go.”
“What is the time now? I’ll call a car, a taxi… how about we find that same driver that almost killed me that night?” He barked with laughter.
“Or you could walk to the pool; it's not far.” Sophie offered a solution. She was a solutions type of girl.
“Now there's a possibility.”
“Here, have something for the headache.” She handed him a tablet and a glass of water, and he took them both, sitting up and groaning. “How about I help you stand up. My dad really is going to be here soon. Remember he’s seeing my new place for the first time.”
“Oh God.” Matthew held onto the coffee table. “Am I going to throw up?”
“If you need to, please let me know first so I can grab a bucket.” Sophie's voice was filled with mock seriousness. What was she going to do if he vomited all over the floor? Should she open a window to let in fresh air?
“I’ve met your dad. He’s cool. Maybe I should just stay… we could chat a bit. We really got along Soph.” Matthew collapsed back down onto the floor, closing his eyes.
“He won’t like you if he sees you now. He’ll think….”
Matthew opened his eyes. “Would that be so bad? After all, you were trying to get into my jeans all night.”
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. Then she stopped, adopting a serious expression. “Dad would get the wrong idea about me and you. He’d think there was more to us, considering….”
“Considering….”
“I work for you. He’d think I was sleeping around with my clients to get a promotion and the fact is we’re. We’re, um...” She stopped. What exactly were they? Client and consultant? Swimming instructor and aquaphobe?
“We’re what?” he persisted, his eyes settling on hers.
“Um….”
“I’ll tell you what, we’re going to the ballet to
gether as a group of friends,” he declared as a dimple formed on each cheek. “Whatever that means, but we both agreed and you want to go with me.” He pointed at her.
“Carol did ask you.”
“Come on Soph, admit you want me to come, and maybe you might even like being in my company and might stop hating me because of all the swimming lessons. So for the moment I suppose we’re friends, aren’t we?”
He was still drunk. How did she answer a question like that? “Yes,” she said slowly. “So, I guess, we’re friends,” she said, carefully. “Yes, just friends… that settles it, doesn’t it? And now you’ve got to go.” Sophie was beginning to panic. This wasn’t the time to get into a deep conversation.
“Yeah, yeah.” He nodded, closing his eyes again. “It’s hard being daddy’s little girl. You’ve to keep up appearances and that must get tiring.”
“You need to get up.” Sophie reached for his hand as the door buzzer rang. “Get up quick,” she urged, grabbing his arm. As muscular as he was, his body flopped like a rag doll. He stood and wobbled, barely able to take a step. Why was he the only one still plastered? These athletic types can never hold their alcohol. “It’s got to be Dad.”
Carol stared from the hallway, looking deeply concerned. “What are you going to do with him?”
“I’ll put him in my room while you answer the door.”
Carol raised her eyebrows. “All right.”
“Matthew, upstairs,” Sophie instructed him in a serious tone.
“I’ve met him before,” Matthew insisted. “It will be fine. Remember, at the pool? We’re buddies.”
“No. No. No. It won’t be fine.” She pulled Matthew’s hand and practically dragged him up the stairs and along the corridor to her doorway. “Here, this is my room.” Sophie pushed the door open.
“Well I’ve been waiting for this invitation… you left it so long.” He swayed slightly on the spot. “So do you really consider us friends?”
“Yes, of course.” She tapped her foot on the carpet.
He studied Sophie's bedroom for the first time. “Holy crap,” he breathed, freezing at the doorway, his eyes darting around wildly.
“Get in,” she hissed.
“How?” His eyes were round as he looked at the boxes everywhere.
“Shimmy.”
“Shimmy?”
“Yeah, shimmy. They’re just boxes. Hide under the covers.”
Doubt flickered across his face. “Is it safe?”
“Yes.”
“You really haven’t moved in yet, have you?” His voice was filled with concern. “Are we still on for tomorrow, our Saturday move?” How did he remember that, considering how drunk he was – how drunk he still seemed to be – how did he remember the move on Saturday?
“Just get in.”
He finally slid past the boxes, toward the covers and into her bed. “Your bed's comfortable.”
Sophie was intrigued by his thought processes. “I’ll see you later. Thanks for going out last night. It was fun.”
“So tomorrow morning, I’ll meet you here. Mickey’s arranging an appropriate time for you and me to collect your stuff. She’s a nice girl at two in the morning.” Matthew mumbled from under the covers.
Sophie swallowed. “Yes, that’s right, you spoke to Mickey. Okay, I’ll be in contact. Thanks for your help. Bye.”
“Um, Soph, if your dad’s never been here before, won’t he want to see the rest of the house? And your room?”
Sophie swallowed. “Er, right….” Sophie slammed the door and panted. He was right.
Sophie noticed Carol at the entrance, the front door was open. “Hello,” Carol said, as Sophie raced down the stairs.
Roger stifled his astonishment as he scanned Carol’s loud outfit. Sophie quickly introduced them.
“Mr. Smart, I can see now where Sophie gets her good looks from,” Carol beamed.
Roger’s face turned slightly pink. “What a lovely thing to say.” A smile spread across his face.
“Well, it was nice to meet you.” Carol abruptly embraced Roger, pulling him into a hug.
“Nice to meet you, too, Carol.” Roger stiffly patted Carol on the back. “It’s a pleasure, and I can see my daughter is in great hands.”
Carol released Roger from her clutches. “I’d better be off. Have a great day.” With a slight wave she bounded out of the front door, closing it behind her.
“This is the flat.” Sophie motioned. “I haven’t quite unpacked yet. So I won’t show you my room today.” Especially with Matthew in her bed.
“I don’t mind seeing a few boxes,” Roger said.
Sophie laughed shrilly. “We’ll do the downstairs first.” She led her father into the flat. His gaze darted around, taking in the features of the place.
“This is the lounge.” Sophie indicated, as they walked into the sitting room.
“It’s nice and airy.” Roger examined the skylight in the middle of the room. “It will be lovely in summer.”
Sophie’s heart constricted. “Just to be clear, Derek and I…we’ve broken up.”
His face crumpled in sympathy. “I thought as much. Did you leave him?”
“He asked me to choose between him and my job,” she admitted. “He's met someone else. There may have been an overlap. I can’t be sure yet.”
“Arse.” Roger spoke through clenched teeth. “I’m so sorry, Soph. You don’t need a guy like that. Are you okay?”
She gave him a quick little nod, keeping her spirits up; there would be no wallowing in misery.
“You’re a survivor aren’t you?” He shook his head. “I can’t break this news to your mother. You know she loved Derek and will have a million questions. You should tell her.”
“It’s fine Dad,” Sophie agreed. “I’ll tell her.”
“When did you…move?”
Sophie hated to say it. “A few weeks ago,” she admitted, realising her dad must have lost his job even earlier than she'd broken up with Derek.
“Let’s check out, upstairs.”
“You know what,” Sophie said gesturing around. “Mickey insisted that I take you to visit her coffee shop before rush hour. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been there. It’s close by and Mickey’s determined to have you visit her.”
“You told her that I’d been made redundant?”
“I told her that you were in the area.” She led her father outside the apartment and released a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. “If I have to be truthful, then so do you. You can practice on Mickey. It will help you learn the right phrases to explain the situation to Mum.”
Chapter 12
Mickey’s face was a picture of surprise when Sophie and Roger arrived at Beans. The café was already heaving, with customers queuing outside, while Mickey rushed round the counter preparing orders. The café was famous for Mickey’s skinny cappuccino.
The café was efficiently run, orders whipped through at flying speed. The décor was trendy, with wooden tables. Large armchairs circled a fireplace in the corner which currently burned wood; warmth flowed round the café. The chairs were soft enough to sink into, but Mickey had found the perfect balance, ensuring they weren’t too comfortable for customers to fall asleep in. There was also a courtyard with a small garden at the back of the café, which was used mostly in the summer, or for smokers.
Mickey brewed their drinks and left her post to join Sophie and Roger. She charmed Roger, even commented on how well he looked and asked him polite questions.
Roger felt overwhelmed by the attention from Mickey and even explained his redundancy situation. This was quite a development, admitting he’d lost his job.
Although, behind Mickey’s cool, green eyed gaze and her polite questions, there were hundreds of questions she hadn’t asked. Mickey scanned Sophie’s dishevelled appearance and her outfit, and raised her eyebrows when she noticed Sophie’s mismatched shoes. She discreetly offered her own makeup case.
Roger eventually ex
cused himself to go to the toilet.
“Hung over at all?” Mickey asked.
“No. But I’m in a mess. Matthew’s in my bed and –”
“Matthew, the guy on the phone, he’s in your bed?” Mickey gasped and her mouth dropped. “Don’t worry, I’ve spoken to Derek and it’s all sorted for Saturday. No wonder you wanted to call Derek last night. It’s all making sense with Matthew in the picture.”
Sophie felt a sinking sensation, like a stone falling to the pit of her stomach. “So you’ve already been in touch with Derek?”
Mickey nodded. “You’re to collect your belongings while Derek plays football. That way you won’t have to talk to him or see him, unless you want to, of course. Derek didn’t seem to think you’d want to.”
Sophie twisted her hands. “Whatever, I don’t mind.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about completely avoiding Derek. She still had unresolved questions.
Mickey eyed her curiously. “You do mind. You do want to see him. Oh Soph, what can I do?” She slung an arm around Sophie’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known you’d wanted to chat to him I’d have made different plans. But at two in the morning, I gathered there was some urgency…I can call Derek up and change things.”
Sophie waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter. I mean what more can he say? He cheated.”
Mickey bit down on her lip. “Soph, not only did Derek cheat, but he still hasn’t bothered to call you, not even once since you left.”
Sophie tried to smile brightly, her lips trembling as she tried to force them into position. “Well onwards and upwards. I’d better not get too emotional about it as I’m off to work this morning.”
“There’s also Matthew in your bed. So it is indeed onward and upward. You go girl!”
Sophie shook her head. “It’s not what you think. I don’t have time to explain.”
“You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s about time you started seeing other people. Derek treated you badly.”
Sophie ran her hands through her hair. “It’s not that. You see, Matthew’s still in my flat. Well I presume he’s still there. Dad’s been made redundant and he’s spending the day at my flat. I’ve got to make sure Matthew’s out of my room.”
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