***
Matthew parked his car on Upper Street in Angel. “Come this way,” he instructed.
They hurried past the bike store, the boutique butcher and the Italian deli. “You know we’re near Mickey’s café.” Sophie guiltily charged past the dry cleaners, recalling she’d left a pair of boots to be repaired there and not picked them up. Sophie knew Angel well, considering she lived in Highbury, the neighbouring suburb.
“I’m taking you to a place that makes the best coffee in town.”
“Wait a second,” she called to Matthew and rifled through her large handbag. She extracted odd items. Of course she had everything else, except the shoe repair docket.
Sophie eyed the little man behind the counter in the dry cleaning store. She hoped he was one of those understanding blokes; surely everyone lost their dry cleaning receipts at some stage? She couldn’t be the only one.
Besides, the shoes had been waiting for collection for at least six months. It wasn’t as if people were breaking the door down, trying to steal them. If the man behind the counter didn’t believe her, then they’d reenact the Cinderella story. Sophie’s foot would glide into her boot and she wouldn’t turn into a pumpkin.
There was a slight tug on her arm. “Sophie what are you doing?” Matthew stared at her, and gestured further along the street. “We’re almost there, shall we continue….”
With a fleeting look at the dry cleaners, she turned to face him. “Just got distracted.” Sophie nodded and followed him further down Upper Street.
He eventually stopped outside a trendy café with large glass panels. An array of pastries and meringues beckoned to customers from the window. Sophie licked her lips from the memory of tasting the chocolate mud cake. She had tasted it several times, for she knew this coffee shop intimately. They stood outside none other than Beans, Mickey’s coffee shop.
Sophie raised her eyebrows. “This is a surprise.” Her fingers coiled into fists.
Matthew beamed. “You wait until you taste the famous skinny cappuccino.” A bell jingled as he pushed open the shop door. The aroma of coffee immediately filled Sophie’s nostrils as she stood in the doorway.
Mickey stood behind the coffee counter, vigorously polishing her coffee machine.
Sophie hesitated stepping inside, her heart beat somewhat louder. She was unsure what was happening here. She felt set up, for this couldn’t be a coincidence. Did the pair arrange this meeting? Was this something to do with Derek?
Sophie turned immediately to face the cake display. Her breathing was fast and she pretended to examine the produce. Her brain worked in overdrive because she felt somewhat betrayed. This was Mickey, the girl she’d known since she was a kid.
The pair of them had arranged an intervention. How dare they interfere?
With hands on her hip Sophie turned round from her position examining the cakes. It was time to give them both a piece of her mind.
She strode to Matthew who already stood at the counter, grinning at the menu. Mickey looked up from polishing her coffee machine. A slight scream escaped Mickey’s lips and she dropped her cloth. Mickey raced round the counter and flung her arms around Matthew’s neck. She hugged him hard.
Sophie’s heart beat fast in her chest as she watched Mickey hold Matthew. Finally Mickey released him and Sophie realised she was invisible, standing behind Matthew. His broad shoulders practically blocked her from Mickey’s view.
“I haven’t seen you for an eternity,” Mickey scolded Matthew playfully. Her green eyes glittered. “Where have you been for the last year? I’ve missed you and our chats.”
Sophie swallowed. Was this coincidence simply that: a coincidence? Her chest tightened, as Mickey threw her head of long red hair back and laughed.
Matthew shrugged. “I’ve been away travelling,” he said. “But I couldn’t stay away from Beans for much longer.”
Mickey laughed and tilted her head flirtatiously up at Matthew. He looked extremely pleased to see her too and ran a hand through his blond hair.
Sophie opened her mouth to speak, yet words failed to form.
“Where’s Rebecca?” Mickey asked and raised a manicured eyebrow.
Matthew flinched at the sound of Rebecca’s name and momentarily avoided meeting Mickey’s eyes.
Realisation struck Sophie and she felt a little light headed. Of course. Matthew and Rebecca must have been customers of Beans.
Matthew gulped. “Michelle, I want you to meet someone.”
“Please call me Mickey.”
“Mickey,” he paused. “This is my good friend Sophie.” He looked back over his shoulder and stepped aside to push Sophie forward. “As I said Soph, this is my favorite cafe in the world. I’ve been coming here since Beans opened.”
Mickey’s jaw dropped. An ear-to-ear grin reached every corner of Mickey’s face. She released a howl of delight.
“Easy tiger,” Matthew muttered as Mickey launched at Sophie and embraced her.
“What are you doing here? Both of you? Together? How do you even know each other?” Mickey’s gaze flittered between the pair.
Matthew stared at Mickey, taking in her long red hair. “You know each other?”
“We certainly do,” Sophie said. “This is Mickey, my best friend. She was supposed to come out that night we had drinks….”
“So you’re not just my fabulous customer Matthew. You’re Matthew Silver, the swimming coach,” Mickey said. “It’s nice to formally meet you.” She extended her hand and the pair grinned moronically and pumped palms.
“Yeah, we spoke on the phone only a few nights ago to organise the big move,” Matthew said wearing a sheepish expression on his face. “Such a small world.”
The light in Mickey’s smile faded. “Um….” A line etched in her forehead.
Mickey grabbed Sophie by the arm and dragged her to the rear of the café, leaving Matthew standing alone by the counter. Mickey gestured madly at the wall. “Recognise anyone?” she said. “There’s a picture of Matthew about five years ago when Beans opened.” She shot a glance over her shoulder, toward him and then looked at Sophie.
“Oh wow, he hasn’t changed a bit.” Sophie touched the picture in the newspaper cutting. A younger Matthew stood next to an attractive girl with long auburn hair and lovely eyes; it could only be Rebecca.
“This is hard to say but….”
“I can’t believe you already know each other,” Sophie interjected.
“This picture was taken when the shop opened,” Mickey whispered. “What I’m trying to say is that … well…I’m not sure if you realise, but Matthew has a long term girlfriend.”
“I know all about Rebecca.”
“So you know they’re together?”
“Pardon?” Sophie cocked her head toward Mickey, focusing her attention on her friend. She wasn’t quite sure how to answer the statement tactfully.
“Or did they break up?”
“I don’t think they broke up but….” Sophie swallowed. “It’s more complex than that.”
“So you know about Rebecca? Sophie how could you….” Mickey hissed, suddenly taking the moral high ground. “What are you going to do? What about the ballet?”
“What’s that?” Matthew said, approaching slowly. “So did Sophie already speak to you about the ballet?”
“Yes.” Mickey’s face was set like stone. “Will Rebecca be coming too? I haven’t seen her for a while.”
Matthew’s face twisted. “I can’t imagine you have.” He swallowed and thrust his hands into his pockets.
“Did you want your usual table?” Mickey’s voice trilled. “The table you and Rebecca always sit at?”
Sophie wiped away a bead of sweat from her forehead as Mickey glared. Her best friend tapped her foot, anger brewed in every part of her body. Mickey wasn’t afraid of a little bit of confrontation. Someone needed to stop her. Everyone knew the temperament of a redhead and Mickey was no different.
Matthew’s fac
e paled and he turned round the room. “How about this table overlooking the garden?” He gestured toward the window and strolled quickly to it. “We’ll try something different for today.”
“Typical.” Mickey’s face was practically red. “Men can never just stick to one thing.” Her words were loaded with meaning.
“This table’s grand,” Sophie said quickly. “Mickey, we can’t stay long. A big move today.”
“Right?” Mickey growled. “So Sophie, you take a skinny cappuccino. Matthew, are you drinking a latte today? Or was your drink the soy chai tea latte….” She paused, obviously floored by the whole interaction with Matthew. “Or was the soy chai tea latte Rebecca’s drink? Does anyone here remember Rebecca?”
“I do remember Rebecca, but that’s not the issue here, or is it?” Matthew asked icily, avoiding Mickey’s glare. “I might order something different. I’ll just have a look at the menu.”
“Unbelievable. So we all know about Rebecca, yet we ignore her. I can’t be a party to this.” Mickey folded her arms. “Did you know Sophie’s last boyfriend cheated on her? You were in Sophie’s bed, she told me. You can’t cheat on Rebecca! Sophie, I’m appalled that you would….”
“Mickey, that’s enough.” Sophie’s whole face turned pink. “Matthew was in my bed but we didn’t have sex. I mean, nothing happened. He’s not cheating on Rebecca.”
“He was in your bed still. What did happen then?” Mickey exploded, her face darted between them both. “Why wasn’t Rebecca there? Did she just shoot off? Just leave the planet? They’re engaged.” Mickey’s face was covered in tiny red spots.
“Mickey it’s all very innocent. Matthew came over and nothing happened….” Sophie ran a hand through her hair.
“Sophie, I know you’re not in your right mind with Derek cheating, but I saw the ring. I heard about the wedding plans. I know they were getting married. You can’t become the other woman. He shouldn’t even have been in your bed.”
“Mickey, could you just listen for a second….” Sophie said, feeling heat flush down her neck. Sophie turned toward Matthew, whose jaw had almost dropped to the table. “Matthew? Could you please explain…”
“Rebecca…She’s…” Matthew blinked. “She’s…”
Sophie’s breathing was hard. She stared at Matthew, flabbergasted at his lack of response. Mickey’s stony expression hadn’t faltered.
“Unbelievable. I’m so disappointed in both of you.” Mickey flicked her mane of hair like an angry lion. She swivelled on her feet and rushed behind the counter.
Sophie plucked a menu from the table carefully. Matthew’s brow furrowed, he appeared absolutely engrossed in his own menu.
“So you used to come here with Rebecca?”
“Yes.” The word was barely recognisable; the vowels sounded choked in the back of his throat. “I can’t avoid all the places I’ve been to for the last ten years of my life. Yet I somehow can’t bear to find the words to explain what happened.” A kaleidoscope of emotions glittered behind his eyes.
“Mickey will keep probing. You’ve got to tell her or she’ll hate you.”
“I don’t care if Mickey hates me.”
Sophie scanned the restaurant and glanced toward the photo of Rebecca hanging up on the wall. It was too much of a reminder for him.
“You need to tell her or she’ll do something rash. She’ll probably spit in your coffee. That’s the type of girl Mickey is. She’s feisty, opinionated and a little overprotective of everyone.”
Matthew snorted and darted a glance at Mickey who shot them a frosty glare. Matthew looked down at the menu and took a few moments before he spoke. His face was contorted. “I’ll sort it out,” he whispered.
“Mickey was obviously very fond of Rebecca and of you. I could tell Mickey if you wanted?” Sophie leaned over the table and gripped Matthew’s hand in encouragement. “She deserves to know, or she might ban you from Beans and that would defeat the purpose of your coming here. Look how irate she is.”
Matthew’s glistening gaze rose to meet Sophie’s. Her heart clenched and she smiled as brightly as possible, trying to pass him some encouragement as she rose from her chair. “I’ll just pop to the loo. I need to do my makeup,” she lied. His gaze flew across her face and he frowned. “I need about fifteen minutes to fix my makeup because I’m a girl, and that’s what we do.”
Sophie left the table and headed to the toilet. What was she going to do down here in the dingy room? She had, of course, already done her makeup – she’d spent hours finishing her hair and makeup this morning. What if he thought she was spending too much time? How mortifying, but she’d take the risk. She needed to give him space.
She examined her watch as she paced the room. She might as well use her time productively. She checked her reflection in the mirror and then speed dialled her dad.
If she was in the toilet, she’d at least give Matthew privacy, and she’d use the time to check in on her father.
“Sophie, how are you?” he said.
“I’m good,” she said. “I’m moving the remainder of my stuff from Derek’s place. I’m severing all remaining ties.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m coping. Please don’t tell Mum yet. I don’t want to speak to her about it until it’s finalised. I don’t want her convincing me that he was the best thing since sliced bread, especially as he cheated.”
“Oh, okay,” Roger replied. “But you will eventually have to mention it.”
“So how did the recruitment interview go, the one I set up for you yesterday?”
“Oh Jeffery, yeah, the interview… He was an absolute arse.”
“What happened? Was he rude?”
“Oh no, he’s pretty clued up as to what people want in the job market. They want intelligent, young people.”
“Great, so he’ll help you.”
“No, I’m serious, sweetheart. He told me to take a long hard look at my options. He said it would be next to impossible in this type of market going against young guns.”
“They won’t have the practical experience you’ve got.”
“He said I was stale. I’ve been at the same job far too long.”
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Don’t let it get you down. So you’ll see another recruiter. Remember there’s another one set up for next week. It’s good to see a cross section; they’re all different you know. Want me to come with you?”
“I thought I might just circle round London, walk about in the rain on a daily basis.”
“Don’t be like that, you’ll be all right.”
“I can only do my best,” he rasped and his voice trembled.
Sophie stiffened hearing him cry. “Dad,” she started. “I can come with you. Give you moral support.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t need my little girl running after me all the time.”
“So what time is it again? Next Thursday.”
“I can’t remember.”
“I’ll send you an email reminder.” Sophie paused. “Are we still on for lunch on Monday?”
“We’ll see,” he said. “Look I’ve got to go. I’ll call you if we’re still on for lunch.”
He hung up the phone and Sophie stared into the receiver, feeling awful. She’d upset her dad.
Sophie made a few more phone calls then checked her email on her smart phone. Finally the fifteen minutes was up and she walked up the stairs.
Matthew furrowed his brow. “Did you touch up your lipstick? I like the colour,” he commented.
“Thanks,” she said, although she hadn’t put any more on.
Mickey’s large green eyes were watery as she served their cups of coffee. As they both left, Mickey hugged Matthew hard. “Good luck with the move,” Mickey said and she looked directly at Sophie. “I’m sorry if I overreacted before. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I’ll see you at Carol’s ballet. I’m thinking of bringing a friend along.”
&nb
sp; Sophie raised an eyebrow, about to ask who, but Matthew was already heading out the door.
Back in the car Sophie dared at glance at Matthew, who’d been awfully quiet since leaving the café. “You okay?” she said.
Matthew nodded but remained focused on the road. “That was hard. You were right, it had to be done.” He choked on the words.
“How did Mickey take the news?”
“Mickey’s naming a coffee after her…a specialty coffee to help people always remember her. That’s the way it should be.”