by Jacqui Penn
‘So what about that friend of Tristan’s?’
‘Gio? No, He left the area. I went to his flat and it was empty. I still had a key and after not seeing him for about three months I finally plucked up the courage to open the door. He’d gone. The place looked as empty as I felt; he was a good friend.’
‘I knew it! I said you had feelings for him and you denied it. I could tell right away.’
‘Well, he’s the one that got away.’ She started the car and felt remorseful. Change the subject, he’s gone. ‘You’ll like Nellie, she’s been a really good friend to me; almost like a mum.’
‘Talking of mums, did I tell you mine got in touch?’
‘No!’
‘Oh, it’s not even worth mentioning. She wanted to know if I had a place she could stay for a while. I told her no, and haven’t heard from her again since.’
Sophia steered into Nellie’s road. ‘I’m sorry. That must be sad for you.’
‘No, I’m over her. Life is too short. This is a nice big bungalow.’
Sophia lifted the small bag out of the boot and slammed it shut just as Anna toppled over. ‘Are you okay? Sophia started to giggle as she always did when anyone had a mishap.
‘Shit! My heel’s broken.’ Anna pushed herself up, held the heel in one hand and proceeded to walk up the path with Sophia in fits of laughter. ‘I don’t think it’s that funny.’
‘It’s the way you’re hobbling up and down on one heel.’
Nellie opened the door. ‘Oh, you have trouble walking too. You have my sympathy. We’re in this together, I’m Nellie.’
‘Hi, Nellie. It’s good of you to invite me,’ Anna said and stepped into the hallway.
Sophia brought her hand to her mouth and laughed heartily. ‘It’s not an affliction, her heel broke.’ What was the weekend with these two going to be like? She went in and closed the door behind her. She was so lucky to have these two special people in her life.
Anna was right about Gio. At the time, Sophia had shelved her feelings; she’d been in love with Tristan, but of late she’d realised that being in love with two people was possible and she’d let the most important one go.
Chapter 15
‘Why can’t you read my story? Daddy doesn’t know about the growly bits,’ Eddie complained.
‘Why don’t you try a different book at bedtime and I’ll read that one when you come home from school,’ Sophia offered.
‘Because I want this one when I go to bed.’ Sophia’s new work hours allowed her alternate weekends off and she finished daily at six o’clock when Simon returned from work. The odd evening she would be asked to work when Simon worked late at the office or when he had a social engagement.
‘Grrrr!’ Sophia growled, holding her arms above Eddie and chasing him. The small boy shrieked and ran away giggling with Sophia in hot pursuit.
Her new hours often left her feeling at a loose end. She had enjoyed keeping busy and playing with the children. There was only so much reading she could do. She understood that Simon felt he was being fair to her and he was trying to build up a stable relationship with his children.
Once a week, Sophia visited Nellie and took Mutley for a walk, which was unnecessary as he walked alongside Nellie’s chair.
‘You seem a bit unsettled of late,’ Nellie commented.
‘I don’t think I’m normal. Simon gives me time off so I can have a better life and I’ve never been so bored. He does the kitchen and puts the boys to bed. He’s left me a bit redundant.’ She gave a small sigh.
Nellie gave an understanding nod. ‘I suppose you fell into the motherly role at a time it was much needed, but it’s nice for him and those boys that he doesn’t have to depend on you so much now. You need a boyfriend or a hobby. What do you like to do?’
‘That’s just it. I’ve never had much interest in anything, I’ve always been too busy. Dog walking of late, which I still do. Reading, which can become monotonous if I do too much.’ She picked at her fingernails. ‘I really enjoyed just pottering about in the evenings. Now I feel in the way and the children ask me for things, instead of Simon, which isn’t right when it’s his time with them.’
‘Can’t you watch some television? How about trying a few new things? I used to go to dancing lessons. I loved it.’
Sophia was thoughtful. ‘I’d look a bit silly going on my own.’
‘Rubbish! Most people go because they don’t have anyone to dance with and anyway a lot of these modern classes are for singles. What do they call it? You know the country music when they all line-up?’
‘Line dancing. I do like dancing.’
‘Look in that paper on the table. No time like the present.’
Sophia searched the columns enthusiastically. ‘There’s a few here.’
Nellie nodded with encouragement. ‘You could do a few. What nights are they?’
‘Salsa on a Monday. Line dancing Thursday…’
‘I’m so jealous. What I wouldn’t give to get out of this chair and join you. Go on, give them a call.’
Sophia smiled. ‘You just turn up. It says newcomers always welcome. I’m going to do this!’
‘There you go! Monday and Thursday sorted. One night here or more, of course. Why don’t you take a jumper and sit on the beach with your book now and again? It doesn’t get dark until ten and you could do some great people watching.’
‘Sounds like my week is planned. I’m looking forward to this new life of mine.’
‘Maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams at one of the classes.’
‘I don’t think I’m the sort to be able to hold on to a man. Even my dad didn’t want to know.’
‘That’s his loss and you need to stop putting yourself down for one man’s ignorance at what a lovely daughter he had. Some people can go through their entire life and not realise what they’ve got.’
Sophia giggled her way through her first few line dance classes trying to cover her embarrassment. Somehow she always ended up facing the wrong direction and would want to go one way when all around her were going the other. Like-minded people around her laughed along with her mistakes and she soon felt at ease.
The salsa dancing was her favourite. The music made her want to go on dancing long after the classes stopped. One evening, as she changed her shoes, one of the other women handed her a piece of paper. ‘A few of us have got together and we’re hiring a mini-bus on a Saturday to go to a Salsa club in Ashford. Sue’s my name, the number is on the bottom there.’ She pointed it out. ‘If you’re interested, let me know.’
Sophia felt excited. ‘I’m Sophia. I could only go every other weekend as I have to work.’
‘That’s okay. People have different commitments, so just book and pay for the nights you want.’
‘Brilliant! I will.’ Salsa twice a week. She left the hall and walked home with a spring in her step.
When she walked in the door, Simon called her into the kitchen. ‘I wanted to say that you don’t have to go out every night. I was a bit hasty and on a mission. Truth is, we miss you not being around. I understand you have your own life, but being totally selfish, we want it back like it used to be when you were here all the time.’ He threw the dishcloth into the sink. ‘Well, the boys do! And me, but I know things can’t go back… You’re much too busy… I’ve made a complete cock-up of this… What I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to make yourself scarce, just do what you like.’ He wiped his hand over his mouth and reached two glasses down from the cupboard. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Okay. Thanks.’ Was he saying she had to revert back to her old hours? She wasn’t prepared to give up her classes or the new salsa night.
He opened the fridge and peered in. ‘Mmm. Coke, fizzy orange or blackcurrant squash. Sorry.’
‘There’s a bottle of white wine at the back behind the mayonnaise and sauces.’
‘He moved a couple of jars. ‘How long has that been there? You know this place better than I do.’
‘As long as I can remember,’ she chortled. ‘It’s probably out of date.’
He stared at it for a moment. ‘No, it’ll be fine.’ He swapped the lager tumblers for wine glasses and opened the bottle. He placed the glasses on the kitchen table and beckoned her to sit. ‘This has all been a learning curve and I’ve cocked up a bit along the way.’
Sophia picked up her wine. ‘I don’t think you have. The boys are really settled. It’s just that things are different now and it all takes time to get used to it.’ She was aware she sounded like Nellie.
‘Do you know what I meant though? Our home is your home, you’re like family to us. Don’t feel you have to take a back seat at any time. I was insecure and thought I had to be everything to the boys.’
‘Thank you. I’ve joined some classes during the week—’
‘What sort? College?’
‘No. Dancing. I love it.’
He smiled. ‘Years ago, before the children, Marie and I used to go to jive classes. I’d forgotten that. We loved it. We had a right laugh.’
‘I go line dancing and Salsa.’
Simon laughed. ‘How anyone ever remembers all those line dance routines is beyond me. I’d like to try Salsa, I love the music.’
‘Monday is Salsa night and they’re starting to go to a dance place in Canterbury on a Saturday.’
He nodded slowly. ‘Helen, you know her, she lives at forty-three. She’s forever offering to sit in if I want a night out.’ He looked straight into her eyes apologetically. ‘What am I thinking? You’d hardly want me tagging along.’
‘I wouldn’t mind. It’s mostly singles and you just partner someone when you get there.’
He looked hopeful and fiddled with a picture on the table that Eddie had drawn. ‘Be honest, you really wouldn’t mind?’
She shook her head. ‘No! I wouldn’t. You should come.’
He looked at his watch. ‘I’ll ask Helen tomorrow, it’s a bit late now. Thanks, Sophia. I mean for everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’ He topped up their glasses, put the stopper back in the bottle and placed his hand on top of hers. ‘I mean it. I appreciate you more than you know.’
Sophia nodded at him, looked down at his hand and pulled her hand out from underneath as she picked up Eddie’s picture. ‘This is a kitten he wants for his birthday.’
‘A kitten? How did that come about?’ He sounded over-enthusiastic.
‘I have no idea, but that’s what he said.’ She finished her wine. ‘I’m going up to bed. Good night. See you in the morning.’
‘Yes, goodnight.’ He was holding the picture and still trying to see a kitten.
Sophia’s chest felt tight. That night in bed, she rolled over on her side and then tried the other way. She couldn’t sleep. Why did she feel so uncomfortable? Simon was only trying to be nice. Pull yourself together, you always read too much into things. Tomorrow she would go down on the beach for the evening. She had no intention of staying home with Simon.
Chapter 16
Gio had been based in Cyprus at RAF Akrotiri for six months. One evening, he sat at a table with three colleagues when he saw Sophia at the bar waiting to be served. He jumped up and raced over to her. What was she doing here?
He put his hand on her shoulder. As she turned, he pulled away seeing he’d made a mistake. He put his hands up. ‘I’m sorry. I thought you were—’
‘Someone else, I know. Been there, done that a thousand times. Couldn’t you think of something original? All you air force men are the same.’
Gio was taken aback. ‘No, I really did think you were someone else.’
‘Whatever. Are you buying or going back to your mates?’
She had gorgeous brown eyes. He shook his head at her forwardness, but there was something about her he liked. He smiled. ‘I’ll buy.’ He paid and led her back to the table where his mates sat. ‘This is…?’
‘I’m Christy. He hadn’t even bothered to ask my name, but I suppose that’s better than asking in the morning or not at all.’ She sat, placed her drink on the table, pulled a packet of cigarettes out of her bag and offered them around. She wasn’t taken up on the offer so took one for herself and lit it. This girl was so different from Sophia. None of the cute, gentleness he loved. Sophia was in the past and he had to move on.
‘Do you live in Cyprus, Christy?’ Gio asked.
‘I moved here when I was eight and my dad got stationed here.’
‘Who’s your dad?’
She screwed up her face and shook her head. ‘He left the air force a while back. We live in the town now.’ She emptied her glass. ‘I have to go. Thanks for the drink, see you around.’ She was gone.
They watched as she walked away. ‘You made an impression on that one mate.’
Gio smirked at Jack. ‘Yes, well I don’t want to encourage them. I’m fed up with all the women falling at my feet.’
‘At least that one had something about her, not like the usual birds around here.’ Gio nodded in agreement, he’d liked her outspokenness and confidence.
The next time he saw her, she was a few people ahead in the queue for the cinema. She stood alone, bought her ticket and a large tub of popcorn before heading off to watch the film. As he tried to focus on the film he found his eyes constantly wandering around the cinema searching for her.
‘She’s there on the right, munching her popcorn,’ Jack whispered, motioning to where Christy sat transfixed on the film.
Gio played the fool. ‘Who?’
‘Shhh!’ a voice behind them urged. Gio kept his eyes front until the end of the film when he made a hasty jaunt after her, leaving Jack behind.
‘Hi, it’s Christy, isn’t it?’
‘One that recalls my name, that’s a first. What did you think?’
‘About what?’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Duh! The film.’
He hadn’t really watched much of it. ‘Oh! Yes, it was okay.’
She laughed. ‘That’s like saying World War Two had no impact. You must have some theory or thought about it?’
‘Do you fancy a drink? You can enlighten me on your theories.’
She glanced at her watch. ‘Okay. I have half-an-hour then I have to go.’
Jack joined them. ‘Hello again,’ he said to Christy, then turned to Gio. ‘You rushed off without me. See you back at base.’ He disappeared into the crowds.
They sauntered along to the nearest bar. ‘You’re always in a rush to get off,’ Gio said.
‘Things to do, people to see. It doesn’t pay to hang around you air force guys for too long.’
‘You can’t tar us all with the same brush.’
‘I’m not. You all up and leave one way or another.’
‘I’m surprised you want to hang around in the bars near the base if you feel like that.’
‘I’ve grown up around the air force. It’s all I know.’
‘But you can’t trust us.’
‘It’s not about trust.’ She offered him a cigarette which he declined.
‘I don’t smoke.’
She cupped her hands and lit one for herself blowing out a circle of smoke. ‘Things happen and people move on. Sometimes they don’t have a choice; nothing to do with trusting them.’
Gio nodded. The statement was a bit deep for him. ‘This place looks okay.’ He held the door to the bar open for her.
He placed the drinks on the table and split open a bag of crisps which he left in between them. ‘So do you work?’ Gio asked.
‘No. I fancied a change so I’m sort of between jobs at the moment. I’m a car mechanic.’
Gio’s mouth fell open. ‘I’ve never known a female mechanic. No, that’s a lie. There’s one where I was stationed before, but she was a lesbian, so I’m not sure that counts.’
She gave him a glassy stare. ‘That is so sexist!’
‘It was!’ He held up his hands in mock surrender. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. I like lesbians, I mean… Oh, Go
d! I’m open-minded. I don’t care what anyone does or how they want to live. I meant you don’t get many women in that field, it’s predominately men.’
She laughed at him trying to worm his way out of his remark. ‘I have to admit it didn’t do a lot for my nails.’ She held out her hands. ‘Not that they’re much better now.’
‘So what will you do now?’
She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. ‘Something will turn up.’ She looked at her watch, finished her drink and stood. ‘Must dash. Thanks for the drink. It’s on me next time.’
‘Can I have your number?’
‘No, but you can give me yours. I might call sometime.’
Gio smiled. ‘Well, don’t go making a nuisance of yourself.’ He scribbled on a till receipt from his pocket and handed it to her.
‘Ha, ha! See you.’ He watched as she left. There was something different about her. Almost a challenge, but he wasn’t interested, just intrigued. His mind flashed to Sophia and he wondered how Tristan was treating her. He wouldn’t be receiving a wedding invite and he didn’t want one. They didn’t know where he was and that was best for everyone.
Chapter 17
The following Monday, Simon, and Sophia partnered for the Salsa class. Simon expertly shifted his weight from one leg to the other as though he’d been salsa dancing forever. He moved seductively following her steps with ease.
Sophia had been sceptical about having a newcomer as a partner, let alone Simon. She soon found herself relaxed and enjoying the evening as usual.
Sophia changed her shoes at the end of the class. ‘Do you fancy going for something to eat?’ Simon asked. ‘I don’t know the last time I ate out when it wasn’t a burger bar.’
Sophia stood and they made their way outside. ‘I’m always hungry after dancing. There’s an Italian restaurant that’s good.’
‘Italian it is then. Thank you for inviting me tonight. I feel like I’ve come alive again. I’d forgotten the feeling of letting yourself go to the rhythms.’
