by Lise Gold
Beyond the Skyline
Lise Gold
Copyright © 2017 by Lise Gold
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
To my loving wife, my amazing friends and
to my readers!
You’ve given me the confidence to write
and to follow my passion.
#spreadthelove
“Life in Hong Kong transcends cultural and culinary borders, such that nothing is truly foreign and nothing doesn’t belong.”
Peter Jon Lindberg
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Also by Lise Gold
1
Sophie let out a sigh of relief as she saved her last technical drawing of the week. Scrolling through the files on her desktop, she checked the garments for the coming summer season one last time to make sure everything was there. Five dresses, eighteen tops, seven cardigans, ten skirts and ten pairs of leggings. Oh, and the socks. People were really into socks these days. She pulled the lever on her chair and leaned back, resting her feet on a cardboard box underneath her desk. It was getting late now, and she couldn’t wait to get out of the office. Her laptop went into sleep mode and she saw her reflection in the black screen. It wasn’t pretty. Her eyes were sore and red and her skin looked blotchy. She wiped the mascara stains from underneath her eyes and stretched out, hands behind her head, relieving her back from sitting in the same position for hours on end.
“Oh for fuck’s sake!” A loud curse came from Aiden, one of the new developers, who looked like he was in total panic mode. Sophie turned to him with curious amusement.
“Are you okay?” He rolled his eyes.
“Not really. It’s Saturday night and I’m not even on schedule for this week. Are you nearly done?” Sophie nodded.
“You’ll get used to it. It’s always like this in high season but it only lasts for about two months, so don’t give up just yet.” Aiden didn’t look too convinced.
“Oh yeah? Well, I certainly hope so because my life has been alarmingly repetitive lately.” He stared at Sophie like a wounded animal. “Do you have any idea what it’s been like for me since I started?” Sophie nodded.
“I think I have an idea.” Aiden slammed his palm on his desk.
“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway because I need to get this off my chest.” He sighed. “I get up early, exhausted. I go to work, leave late and pick up a takeaway on my way home before working some more from my bed. No social life, no movies, dinners or anything fun. And here I am again, on a Saturday for God’s sake! I mean, what’s wrong with me? It’s only you and me in the office. Where’s everyone else? We should be out partying right now.” He sighed. “I promised my girlfriend I’d take her to a concert tonight and I don’t even know if I’m going to make it.” Sophie couldn’t help but giggle.
“Relax, Aiden. It will all be over next week. I’ve been here for years and it never changes, so either get used to it or look for another career.” Aiden shot her an annoyed look and Sophie chuckled. She didn’t care. They were both in the same predicament but she had stopped feeling sorry for herself a long time ago. In fact, she felt great. The monotone pattern that became the core of her existence each year during high season was about to be broken. The work was done, and finally, the moment had come when she could allow herself to relax a little bit. She turned her music up and felt a spark of excitement as she watched the drawings printing onto thick, shiny paper. ‘Happy’ was playing through the speakers on her desk and that seemed pretty appropriate right now. The range looked good and she was pleased with how it had all come together yet again.
Usually, she did this with her colleague Maggie. They would stay late, order pizza and make a celebration out of their last night in temporary fashion slavery. Then they would go to the pub. That had been their ritual for as long as Sophie had been in the role, but Maggie wasn’t there today and Sophie found herself missing their banter and the dancing, their guilty secret when they were alone in the office. She checked her phone again, but there were no updates from Maggie, apart from her last text message.
‘Sorry I’m letting you down. Will explain everything over drinks tonight. Meet me at the Black Horse, 9 pm. Can’t stay late.’
Sophie shook it off and took a step back, admiring her work.
“Done,” she said out loud. Downtime never lasted long but she tried to make the most of it. She still had a business trip to Hong Kong scheduled in, but that would be relaxing compared to the chaos of the past month. After that, she would be in paradise. Two weeks in Thailand with nothing but the sun, the sea and a couple of books. Her face lit up at the prospect. She tidied up after herself, switched off the lights and gathered her things, before turning to her only colleague left in the office.
“Bye, Aiden. Have a lovely weekend.” Aiden didn’t reply. He was too busy kicking the printer.
The light in one of the storage rooms next to the elevator was still on and Sophie stuck her head around the corner. A worn-out looking intern was sitting on the floor, labeling boxes of samples. They were piled five-high and there wasn’t much room for her to move around.
“Are you almost done?” Sophie asked. The girl turned around, putting on a brave smile.
“Couple more hours to go,” she said. "These need to be sent to New York on Monday for conference so I'd rather just get it over with.” Sophie nodded.
“I’m sorry you’re stuck with all the tedious chores. I have to go and meet someone. Otherwise, I’d have helped you.” That wasn’t entirely true. Even if she hadn’t agreed to meet Maggie, she seriously doubted she would have stayed to label boxes on a Saturday night. But it did feel wrong to leave her there, so she gave the girl her most compassionate look. “Take it easy, yeah? It's okay to tell them you weren't able to finish it all. I’ll vouch for you. I'm sure there will be someone who can help you out on Monday." The girl shook her head.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll just finish this while I’m here.” Sophie leaned against the doorpost and crossed her arms.
“I used to do this too, you know… we’ve all been there.” She hesitated. “I’m Sophie by the way.”
“I know,” the girl said. “You’re the senior designer, right? Aren’t you about to take over as design manager during Debbie’s maternity leave?” She held ou
t a hand. “I’m Kendra. Intern. Or maybe I should say pushover?” They both laughed.
“Yes, it looks like I’ll be taking over,” Sophie said. “But I can so relate to you. You know, I worked for free for a year and a half.” Kendra’s eyes widened.
“No way. You’re joking, right? At least I get paid.” Sophie shook her head.
“No, I’m not joking. I worked the longest days out of everyone, doing all the shitty jobs that no one else could be bothered to do.” She gestured to the pile of boxes. “But let me tell you something. It might seem like a big deal right now but the world is not going to end if you don’t finish this job tonight. Nobody is going to fire you, and I know this sounds harsh but they might not even notice.” She winked and turned around. “So go home, Kendra and enjoy what’s left of your weekend.”
The chaos of London welcomed her as soon as she exited the building onto the main road. Sophie contemplated taking the tube but decided against it and hailed a cab. She felt like rewarding herself.
“King’s Road please,” she said to the cabbie. She pulled her hair out of her face to tie it into a knot at the back of her head and then remembered it wasn't long enough anymore. She regretted cutting it off. Without her hair, she somehow felt powerless and each time she remembered it, a slight panic crept up, reminding her it would take at least two years to grow it all back. Like most haircuts, tattoos and other bodily decorations she had ever attempted, it had seemed like such a good idea at the time. A fairy on her ankle and a Tasmanian Devil on her right shoulder reminded her of that every single day. There was also a significant hole in the skin under her navel, which was the result of an infected DIY job from when she was fourteen. She glanced in the rear view mirror and adjusted the short locks behind her ears before putting on some lip balm. Then she looked down and inspected her clothes for coffee stains but the day had been kind to her and there was only a small ink stain on her left sleeve. Her faded jeans with sneakers and the old sweatshirt she was wearing would have to do for now. They passed her parents’ Victorian four-bedroom corner house and Sophie chuckled at the thought of her prim mother’s disapproving look, could she see her like this. The front garden looked immaculate as always, with rose bushes in full bloom and a perfectly trimmed hedge that followed the building around the corner. Behind this was the generous annex that functioned as her father’s practice, shielded from the street.
Getting out of the cab in Chelsea, Sophie inhaled the smell of fish and chips from the takeaway on the high street. It was the old familiar scent that always made her feel hungry on her way home from work. She crossed the road and waved at her parents’ neighbors who were just leaving Partridge’s with their weekly shopping. It was a lovely, mild evening in May and the bars were full of people, drinking and catching up on their week. She passed The Old Dog and smiled at the locals outside, who gathered in groups on the pavement, each with a pint in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Behind them, the hanging baskets, which decorated the façade of the pub, were in full bloom, painting the perfect picture of West London. Sophie breathed in the fresh air and allowed herself to feel part of it all for the first time in weeks. Tonight, she was one of them. She took a shortcut and crossed the gardens of the Saatchi gallery, stepping over the flower beds. She almost crashed into someone as she turned the last corner for the pub.
“Sophie, my darling! How are you?” Sophie nodded politely at her father’s oldest and most loyal customer.
“Oh, hello Deidre.” She knelt down to greet the senior lady’s poodle. “Hi, Toby! Look at you. Such a handsome boy, aren’t you?” The small dog jumped up and down, delighted to see her. Then she turned her attention back to the old lady in the red coat and the bright red lipstick.
“You look lovely as always, Deidre.” In truth, Deidre’s face looked like it had been torn off and sewn back on several times. Sophie studied the taut skin at her temple, where it stretched over her skull like a condom.
“Thank you, my dear. I’m glad you say that because I’ve been trying to get an appointment with your father for the past three weeks for a bit of ‘maintenance work,’ shall we say? Unfortunately, he couldn’t fit me in until June, so I’ve been feeling a touch self-conscious lately.” Sophie shook her head.
“No need, you look great. My father’s been terribly busy lately. Not that he’s complaining of course. But you know, summer is coming, and everyone wants a make-over!” She scratched the poodle behind his ears and his little stumpy tail started wagging at full speed. “Would you like me to take Toby to the park tomorrow? I can pick him up at ten if you’re home?” She shot Toby an excited look. “Would you like that, Toby?” Deidre smiled.
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, dear. Toby loves to run around you see, but I can’t keep up with him on my old legs.” Sophie stood up and pushed the heavy door to The Black Horse.
“No worries. I’m going for a run anyway so I might as well take him with me.”
She grimaced when she entered the pub. It smelled of beer-soaked carpet and old frying oil. She greeted the bartender and some of the familiar faces, before ordering a beer for herself and a cider for Maggie. She then made her way through the back door and took a seat at the only available table in the beer garden.
“Bloody hell Sophie, you’re looking rough. Hard week?” Maggie materialized from out of nowhere, carrying the same order. She was dressed casually in jeans and an army jacket but as always, her hair was styled with precision, each strand of her black bob perfectly in place. “Double cheers,” she said. “I was waiting for you over there in the back.” She put their drinks on the table and sat down with a big grin. “I’m early, you’re early. What’s happening to the world?” They clinked glasses; then each took a long drink. Maggie pulled her sorriest face, crossing her hands in front of her chest. “Okay, so I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you today. It’s… complicated,” she said, with an apologetic smile.
Sophie eyed her up and down in mock-accusation.
“What’s your excuse, then? Big news? You left me in the shit today and if I didn’t love you so much, I wouldn’t be here right now. So tell me. What the hell is going on?” She reached over the table to take Maggie’s hand, searching for a ring. Maggie laughed.
“No, it’s not like that. I’m not getting married, although it would have been perfect timing.” She shot Sophie a mysterious look.
“Pregnant?” Sophie guessed. Maggie shook her head.
“God no, please.” She took another large sip of her cider and folded and refolded her coat over the bench as if playing for time. At last, she spoke.
“Okay, well you know Dan is from New York, right?” Sophie nodded.
“Yes, that would be hard to miss.” It had certainly not gone unnoticed that Maggie’s boyfriend was from New York. His accent, his cocky attitude, the way he dressed. Everything about him screamed New York. Sophie really liked him though. He was different from the other men she knew and she kind of understood Maggie’s attraction to him.
“Well,” Maggie continued. “I don’t quite know how to tell you this, so I’m just going to say it. We’re moving to New York!” She pulled a smug face, ignoring Sophie’s shocked expression. “Isn't it amazing? New York of all places! I got a job at Ralph Lauren and they're in the process of arranging a work Visa for me as we speak.” Sophie’s jaw dropped. She was, quite literally, gobsmacked. Maggie shrugged. “Dan had to go back because of his contract and I thought I’d just try to apply for a couple of random jobs because I honestly couldn’t live without him and somehow it just worked out. Ralph Lauren, Sophie! It feels so unreal!” Sophie couldn't tell if she was shivering from the thought of losing her favorite colleague and friend, or whether it was just the evening breeze. But she managed to keep it together and flew across the table to give Maggie a long hug.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were applying, you selfish cow? That’s amazing. I mean… Oh my god, it’s huge!” Maggie nodded and smiled, her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said. “Really, I am. And I’m incredibly happy for you to have this opportunity to spend time in New York with the love of your life. But selfishly speaking, I don't want you to go. You know that, right?” Maggie nodded, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
“I know. I’m going to miss you,” she sniffed. “But the flights are cheap and it’s the perfect place for you to spend a long weekend whenever you want.” She paused, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.
“If everything goes smoothly with the visa, I’ll be starting next month. I’ll have to hand in my notice on Monday for contractual reasons; otherwise, I could get into trouble. I just wanted you to know first. It’s been so hard keeping it quiet but I didn’t want to jinx it. You know how superstitious I am.” Sophie tried to force a smile but anyone could have seen that she was disappointed.