Sophie stood next to a tanned lifeguard she’d seen at the Highbury Aquatic Centre. The lifeguard loomed over her. He looked like a triathlete – even in the midst of winter he wore a sleeveless shirt emphasizing his large biceps and angular back. Sophie clutched a glass of vodka and lime with soda, resisting the urge to run her hand over his muscles.
“It’s nice to go out midweek,” the lifeguard said. “Matthew mentioned your friends might be coming later on?” He seemed to ignore everyone else in the bar as he spoke to her. Was he chatting her up? Possibly, from the way he studied her, although he did ask about her friends.
Sophie blushed beneath his scrutiny. “Yeah, my flat mate and my best friend,” she replied. She sipped her drink, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Matthew, deep in conversation with the attractive female bartender, shoot her a look. Matthew had mentioned something about buying tequila shots but he was surely discussing more than just his order. Sophie smiled and focused on the lifeguard.
“Typical for Matthew, all the girls love him. He’s always surrounded by women. But you’re the only one who got him back into coaching.” The lifeguard chuckled. “What’s your name?” He stood extremely close to her.
“Sophie,” she answered. “Yours?”
“Josh.”
“So, do you like tequila shots, too?”
“Ha!” Josh threw his head back and laughed. “Do I ever?”
“Sophie,” a voice shrieked. She turned and Carol threw her arms around her neck. “Guess what?” she said, her face radiating joy and excitement.
“What?” Sophie leaned forward.
“I’m in a new dance company. And, I'm the understudy for the principal dancer in Swan Lake!” Carol jigged on the spot. “The show is on through Christmas and for three months after the New Year. I'm going to be the most diligent understudy ever – so much so that they'll wish they’d picked me for the Swan Queen. I have a huge future, they’re even touring next year, all the way round Europe.”
Sophie whooped for joy. “Congratulations!” she grabbed her friend’s hands, jumping up and down with her on the spot. “This calls for a massive celebration. Let me get some champagne!”
“Congratulations,” Josh interjected, his gaze scanning Carol’s slim physique. “Sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
She extended her hand. “Call me Carol.” She winked at him conspiratorially. “Who are you handsome?”
“I’m Josh.” He held Carol’s hand, shaking it for longer than was necessary. “I’m a lifeguard at the pool where Sophie has lessons.”
“Are you the swimming instructor?” Carol asked sweetly.
Josh’s focus had shifted, of course. Sophie felt envy ripple through her but shrugged it off. How could she have forgotten… men and their short attention spans, they’d cheat as soon as they were bored.
Matthew raced over, setting down a tray of tequila shots studded with lemon wedges. “Carol or Mickey?” He examined Carol with interest.
“Matthew this is Carol. She's my wonderful flat mate, the one I was telling you about. Guess what? She just got into a new dance company and is dancing in Swan Lake.”
Carol beamed. “I was a little worried when I couldn't get work but this fantastic dance company heard I was on the market. I got in as the lead's understudy so I still might get my chance at stardom. Phew!”
“You should also try out for the camera,” Josh said. “You’d be pretty good.”
Carol was pretty and slim. She would look marvellous on camera, Sophie thought. She decided to try to convince Carol to audition for advertising campaigns; Clarks held loads of auditions for all sorts of clients.
“I love the stage. I just love to perform in any capacity though,” Carol sighed dramatically. “Anyway, if you’d like to, come and see me in Swan Lake. The understudy dances in the ensemble, a minor role for regular performances. Please, won't you, Soph?”
“Of course,” Sophie smiled. “I'd love to.”
Carol eyed Josh and Matthew pointedly. “What about you two?”
“Um... Okay.” Matthew nodded.
“Okay Sophie,” Carol directed. “I’m trusting you to make sure he sees the performance. It’s amazing how men back out of things.”
“I won’t back out.” Matthew looked slightly offended. “I’ll even take Sophie to see your show. Give me all the details.”
“Good, good,” Carol insisted. “I’ll hound Sophie until she buys you both tickets.”
Josh interjected. “I’d love to see more of you.”
Carol smiled. “Now you,” she said, a manicured nail landing softly on Josh’s chest, “are welcome to see more of me.” She looked around the bar. “So where’s Mickey? I'm sure she'll definitely come to my show. You guys can all go as a group.”
“I just got a text from her, something about an emergency at the coffee shop – she can’t make it tonight,” Sophie said. “But she’ll come to see you perform. I’m positive.”
Carol turned to Matthew. “So you’re Mr. Swimming Coach.”
“Is that what she calls me?” Matthew enquired curiously. “People also call me Matthew.” He turned to face Sophie and she suddenly felt embarrassed under his gaze.
“It’s true. You are my swimming coach.” Sophie grinned. “At home, I call you the ‘taskmaster’.”
“I see.”
“Well, Matthew, you must be truly amazing if you’ve got her out of work and finally having fun. I never get a chance to see her out any night,” Carol said.
“She doesn’t go out?” Matthew shot Sophie a grin. “I'll bet she chains herself to her laptop.”
“If she was an environmentalist, she’d be out tree hugging and camped in front of bull dozers. That’s how passionate she is about her job,” Carol drawled. “The way she goes on and on about her different campaigns at home….”
Josh was surly. “She needs to get a life. No one likes their job that much.”
“I do,” Sophie said, lifting her chin.
There was a chorus of laugher. Carol chuckled at Sophie's discomfort. “I agree with you, Josh, she needs to get a life.”
“Let’s all help with that.” Matthew winked pointedly at Sophie. “Let’s insist that tonight Sophie gets a life.”
“I’m here. Right in front of you all.” Sophie lifted her chin indignantly. “I wouldn’t say I’d do tree hugging.”
“If you were a vet, you’d be sleeping in the cages with the animals. You’d probably even have cats sleeping on your cardigans,” Carol teased. Although, Sophie thought, Carol could hardly talk from the look of her long feline fingernails.
“There’s nothing wrong with liking your job. You love dancing,” Sophie pointed out.
“I also live a bit. Matthew, let’s take bets. I bet she won’t stay out long. Work you see… too important.” Carol arched an eyebrow and Sophie could have hit her.
“I’m still here,” Sophie said flatly.
“She gets terribly cranky sometimes. All that work.” Carol shook her head knowingly.
Josh hadn’t taken his eyes off Carol. “Let’s start up those tequila shots.”
“Up for the challenge, Soph?” Matthew raised a lemon slice to Sophie. “How long will you stay out on a Thursday night to have fun?”
“I have fun and I do stay out. And I like a challenge.” Sophie raised her shot glass as a signal that she wouldn’t back down. This could get dangerous, two handsome men at the bar with tequila shots to start and a bottle of champagne on the way.
Matthew lifted a shot of tequila in acknowledgement. “You’re on.” He tipped the drink down and Sophie followed suit, pouring the amber liquid into her mouth. The tequila tasted ghastly and instantly warmed her from the inside.
“I have a nickname for you too,” Matthew said. “If I’m Mr. Swimming Coach, well, you’re Miss Fun-Time.”
“Miss Fun-Time?” Sophie half smiled. “You make me sound like a Thai hooker.”
Matthew shrugged. “How woul
d I know what Miss Fun-Time gets up to in her spare time?”
“She’s not having fun with you,” Josh joined in.
“Tequila time, Sophie? Rinse and repeat,” Matthew said, pulling the tray of shots closer.
Sophie had no choice but to participate. She was surprised to find it felt good to let go.