Sophie; I like the sound of that. NOW GO TO SLEEP.
Me; Goodnight.
Sophie; Goodnight.
I put the phone down, feeling much happier now I’ve heard from her; maybe I will get some sleep. I hope I get even a few hours because I’m working in the morning. I close my eyes and think of Sophie as I finally let sleep takeover.
The alarm goes off pulling me from my sleep. It’s only six thirty and I’ve had less than four hours sleep, but I do feel rested. Maybe that’s because I had sweet dreams. Dreams of a certain American.
I check in on Lucy to make sure she is still sleeping soundly, before jumping in for a quick shower. I need to be showered and dressed before she awakens.
I do manage to have my shower and dress in record time. I grab my phone before leaving the room. I have a few messages.
Libby; Thanks to you I have had very little sleep.
Me; Sorry. I love you.
Libby; Not sure I love you today I have a lot on.
Me; Sorry I really am.
Libby; I know give me a call tonight after work.
Moria is taking care of Lucy today for me. I am only in the office this morning. I have a business meeting with Alex and my dad this afternoon. Alex wants me to work on the marketing for Blaze, the nightclub. He’s bought it, turns out the company approached him before Christmas about buying it. I believe he signs the paperwork today and then it’s all his. I have no idea what he’s going to do with it yet, but no doubt I will find this out when I meet him. Although I do think he might give it a complete overhaul, just like the casino.
My morning at work is busy and doesn’t give me a lot of time to think about both Lucy and Sophie. But they are always in the back of my mind, I miss them both terribly.
The drive from my office to Blaze takes forever, I would’ve been quicker walking. The traffic in Glasgow city centre seems to be at a standstill, all because of some protest in George Square. I text Alex to let him know I’m running late but turns out he is the same, stuck in traffic.
As I sit, my thoughts go to Lucy first. I hope she is okay with Moria. After spending more than a few days having daddy around, I know it can take her a few days to fall back into her usual routine. But it’s not just been daddy, she’s had Sophie as well. I’m sure she will be fine with Moria. My next thoughts are of Sophie and what she will be doing right now. Will she be missing me as much as I am missing her? I really wish she was still here.
I finally arrive at Blaze and park my car just as Alex and Dad arrive.
“Ethan, how are you, son?”
“Good, keeping busy with work although that traffic was madness.”
“Ethan . . . I trust you heard from Sophie?” Alex asks.
“Yeah just after two thirty this morning.” He looks as though he’s going to say something else, but doesn’t. I presume it will be about Libby. “I’ve apologised to Libby; I didn’t think when I was texting her this morning.”
“It’s fine. Just think, next time Libby needs all the rest she can get at the moment.”
“What have you done now?” Dad asks, shaking his head in disappointment.
“He was just worried about Sophie,” Alex tells him. “Let’s get inside and see what needs to be done. I don’t want to do an official launch; I’m not planning on closing. We just need to work out the marketing to get the right sort of clientele through the doors.
It’s the first time I’ve been in here during the day. Been in for a few nights out and it always looks amazing. I have to say it looks great under normal lighting. Makes me think it’s under used, I tell Alex what I think and he’s been thinking the same thing.
The three of us spend the whole afternoon going over what Alex is wanting from a marketing and advertising campaign. I enjoyed working with him on the casino project; he is a man who knows what he wants, especially when it comes to business. I get his vision for the nightclub. Dad is still working on the PR side of Alex and not just the business side.
I have listened to some of the proposals he has put to Alex, but I don’t think my sister will be happy with any of them. Alex must be thinking the same as me because he flat out refuses some of my dad’s suggestions. I know my sister wants a quiet life away from the public eye, but she must know she won’t get it marrying a man like Alex.
I have no idea how she is going to cope with being in the public eye. But I’m sure Alex will do his best to try and separate his private and public life, especially now Libby is expecting twins.
“If that’s the business side of things done, I have something I would like to discuss with you, Ethan,” Alex states. He has me interested. I look between him and my dad, who is smiling, so he is obviously in the know.
“Okay.”
“As you know, I have been thinking the flat won’t be very practical for when the babies arrive.” I nod, because I know what he means. Up and down all those stairs with a pram and the babies, he’s right not practical at all. “Well, I think we can all agree on where Libby would love to stay.”
“Yes, somewhere on the Loch. Have you found something?” I ask him.
“Yes, with the help of Phil.” I look at my dad.
“Ethan, not sure if you will remember but there is an old rundown cottage deep within the estate,” Dad says.
“I think so.”
“Well, Alex is buying the land at that part of the Estate.”
“I thought you would never consider splitting the estate. So I presume you are going to convert the cottage?” I ask Alex. Dad indicates for Alex to speak first.
“Yes, I’m going to convert the cottage, but also depending on planning permission, build two new houses.” Why would he need two houses and the cottage? I think to myself. “I can see you’re deep in thought. This will be my wedding gift to Libby, so the land and any houses on it will be in only Libby’s name.”
“Okay, she will love it.” I smile. “This will be the icing on the cake. I’ve not been down that area in years, but I’m sure it will have an excellent view of the Loch.”
“It does, I’ve already been with Phil and had a look. Now what I wanted to speak to you about was, how do you feel about staying in one of the houses?” I look between dad and Alex and can’t quite take in what he’s saying. “Ethan, I know how close you and Libby are and I don’t want that to change. I’m sure you would agree it would be great for all the kids. You would make us both happy if you would consider it. You don’t need to give me an answer now. Take your time and think about it.”
I can’t get my head around what he’s saying. I love my sister dearly and do miss having her so close. I know she moved away from me for all the right reasons, but I would love being so close again, more so now both of us are going to have our own families.
Family. Will Sophie be part of my family?
This could be the new start I am needing. A new house away from everything that haunts me on a daily basis. I will always have my memories, some of which are good, some not so. But I do feel as though I need to do something, to keep my life moving in the right direction.
No matter if it is Sophie that’s in my life in the future or someone else, although I really hope its Sophie, I wouldn’t want to stay in a home I shared with my late wife.
I don’t need to think about this for too long. I know what I want. A new beginning, a new chapter of my life.
“Alex I don’t need to think about it. If you are sure about this, then my answer is yes.”
“Perfect, you will have full control over agreeing the designs for your new home. I will let you know when the architect can visit the site, it might be good for you to be there. This will be a surprise for Libby; I won’t give her this until our wedding day,” he tells me.
“Right, that brings me to my gift.” I turn and face my Dad, who looks anxious about whatever he has to say.
“Just spit it out,” I tell him.
“I’m going to sign the hotel over to Libby as my wedding present to her.” I can’t
believe he would be anxious to tell me this. This doesn’t come as a surprise to me.
“Dad, is that all. I thought . . . I don’t know what I thought.”
“You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be angry? Libby lives and breathes the hotel, always has and I suppose always will. Although I do hope her priorities change when the babies come along.”
“You and me both, and preferably before the babies are born,” adds Alex. I smirk at his words; he might have a battle on his hands with that.
“So you are really okay with it?” Dad asks.
“Of course I am. I’m just surprised you haven’t done it before now, because let’s face it, you don’t want to run it.” Dad was never really interested in the hotel, but when my grandfather passed away, Libby was still studying at uni and wasn’t ready to take on the responsibility. The hotel was always meant to go to Libby. She would spend all her free time there, even from a young age.
“You are aware you will be taken care of as well?”
“Dad, I don’t need anything. Lucy and I have a very comfortable life.”
“I know you have, but this is a huge gift and both your mother and I have spoken about this and we want to do this for you. For both you and Libby.”
They have both managed to surprise me today. Not what I was expecting from my day when I got out of my bed this morning.
“I don’t know what to say, to either of you. All I can say is thank you.”
By the time the three of us leave the club, it’s going on six o’clock. I had text Moria earlier to say I was held up, she told me not to worry and asked if they could keep Lucy overnight. I said yes without thinking about the consequences, that I would be home alone for the rest of the night.
I call Stephen on my drive home to see what he is doing, but he is working until ten o’clock. He asks if I’m okay now that Sophie is away home. I tell him, that I am, even though at his mention of her name my heart sinks. We decide that we could both do with going out for a few beers at the weekend. I know he most likely wants to quiz me on what’s going on between me and Sophie. Maybe it would give me a chance to quiz him on his love life.
I have no idea what I will tell him because I don’t know what’s going on myself.
If I’m truthful, I’m scared to admit my feelings for Sophie could be developing into something more. I’ve never had feelings that are so intense for someone. I’ve enjoyed every single second we have spent together. I’m dreading these next few weeks without her; I have been so used to having her in my life. All aspects of my life.
I don’t know what this means.
I never envisaged spending anytime with another woman so soon after Lindsay, but things with Sophie just feel right. I don’t know what I want from a relationship with her, but I do know I want to spend as much time as I possibly can with her.
I pick up a pizza on the way home and decide I will make a start on my designs for the nightclub.
It is strangely quiet entering the house and my initial thought is maybe I should’ve gone to the hotel and used the gym tonight. That way I could have seen Stephen as well, but I’m home now with takeaway pizza for one.
Sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop open, eating pizza, I look at the time seven-thirty so it will only be two-thirty in New York. I’m sure Sophie will be working today in her store. I really want to hear her voice, but I should wait a few hours before calling. I don’t want to disturb her at work.
I spend the next few hours working on Alex’s ideas. In my opinion, the previous owners didn’t utilise all the facilities. The VIP section was rarely used; it should be booked out every weekend. I know Alex is looking for a new manager; he doesn’t rate the guy who currently has the job. The VIP area should be used for hen and stag parties, along with private functions.
This is where I come in.
The next few hours fly by because I’ve kept myself busy. When I close my laptop and look at the time it’s nearly eleven, time to call Sophie.
“I was wondering when or if I would hear from you,” she says answering her phone instantly.
“Hi to you too. Of course I was going to call, I just didn’t want to interrupt you at work.”
“How are you? Is Lucy fast asleep?” she asks.
“I hope she is. She’s staying with Moria tonight. I’ve just stopped working.”
“Really?” I hear the question in her voice. “Why are you working at this time?”
“I’m doing a few things for Alex and with the house being empty, I thought I should use my time wisely.”
“So how has your day been?”
“I’ve been busy with work. But missing both you and Lucy.”
There’s a long pause. Maybe that’s not what she was wanting or needing to hear.
“I’ve missed you both,” she says quietly. “I didn’t expect to feel like this.”
“Me too.” I wait a few moments before speaking she sounds upset. I wish I was with her; I would take her in my arms. “How was your flight?” I eventually ask.
“It wasn’t too bad. I managed to get some sleep and had a good talk with my dad about us.”
I’m surprised, although not sure why. It was bound to be a talking point for both our families.
“So what exactly about us did you talk about?” I ask curiously.
“Everything of course. My dad shared everyone’s reservations with me, which we both expected. But as long as I’m happy, he won’t say another word on the subject. Dad can look at situations from a different perspective from my mom. All she sees are problems that could lie ahead.”
“You’ve won my mother over,” I tell her, trying to lift her mood. I’m not used to hearing her sound so upset. I really hope she’s not going to cry, because from here I can’t offer her any sort of comfort.
“How did I manage that?” she asks.
“Because of the way you looked at Lucy yesterday, when she brought her home. That’s why she asked me to walk her out. Yes, she has some reservations, but I suppose it’s the same as when Libby and Alex got together.” Another long pause. Is that what we are, together? Is that what I want? I change the subject. “So how has your day been so far?” I ask.
“It’s been busy; I am going to be doing a few things for charity.”
She tells me that she is going to work alongside a woman’s charity. First thing she has to do is find models for a fashion show. She is hoping to raise money by selling off a few of her designs. I can hear the excitement in her voice as she gives me all the details. She says it’s a great way for her to raise awareness for her and the business, as well as providing much-needed funds for the charity.
It all sounds really exciting.
She asks what I’m doing with Alex and I tell her, because I’m sure it’s not a huge secret. Which brings me onto Libby.
“Okay, how are you at keeping secrets?” I ask.
“It depends.”
“Sophie?”
“Of course, I can. Is this something to do with the wedding?”
“Yes, Alex spoke to me today. He is buying some land from my dad on the hotel grounds.”
“What is he pla . . . I know don’t I? He’s going to build their home.”
“Yes, and Libby is going to love it. I just know it. But he’s not building just one.”
“He’s not?”
“No he’s asked if I would like to live there as well.”
“And don’t keep me waiting.”
“I said yes. It would be great for all the kids, growing up together.”
“Just the kids?” I can almost hear the smile on her face. She’s happy for me.
“No, you’ve got me there. I’ve missed Libby; I want to be able to help her out the way a brother should. This could be the new start I’m needing.”
“I know what you mean. I would love to have the closeness you two share.” I can hear her sigh deeply.
“You and Alex are close.”
“Yes we are, now
again. But we weren’t for a few years,” she says with sadness. “But that can be a conversation for another night. So, I can only presume this is Alex’s wedding gift, and that’s why it’s a big secret?”
“Yes, it is.”
“That sums up my dear brother. So new starts all around.”
“Yes, I do hope so.”
We end our call both agreeing to speak at the same time tomorrow.
I lie in my bed thinking about what I want out of life. I try not to think too far in advance. I’m not one of these people who can say in five years’ time, what I will be doing. At the moment I just want to be happy. Which for the first, in such a long time, I can admit to being happy.
The main reasons for my happiness are Lucy and Sophie.
I allow myself to drift off to sleep with all my happy thoughts.
29TH JANUARY
I’VE TAKEN TODAY OFF WORK. Sophie’s flight should be landing anytime at Glasgow Airport, I had wanted to go and pick her up, but Alex has Murphy collecting her and Richard. I can’t wait to finally see her again. I know we have spoken every single day, but it’s not the same. I just want to hold her in my arms and feel her.
My mum picked up Lucy earlier, so we get time on our own today. Not sure Sophie will be happy with that, but I do want some quality time with her. Just the two of us. We will be collecting Lucy from Mum’s before dinner, because all three of us are going to Lindsay’s parents’ for dinner.
A lot has happened in these last few weeks. Moria wants to meet the girl responsible for putting the smile back on my face. Sophie and I spoke at the start of this week about going to Lindsay’s parents. She’s a bit apprehensive about going, that I can understand. She is well aware of the fact that both Moria and Tom play a huge part in our lives, so it does make sense she meets them.
I know they will both welcome her into their home.
I’ve spent some time with Moria and Tom this last week; they’ve had Lucy a lot more, what with the wedding. My poor mum and Sarah haven’t stopped with the preparations. I’ve explained, in the best way I can, to Moria about my relationship with Sophie. I don’t want there to be any awkwardness on either part. I had to be honest with her. I owe her that much, at least.
She's Captured my Love (Captured #4) Page 14
