***
One week later Gloria rang back and apologised for hanging up. “I’ve booked a cruise for your father and me,” she said suddenly.
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Is the cruise expensive? And where’s the money coming from?” she gasped, unable to conceal her shock. “Mum, are you sure that’s something he’s going to want to do?”
“I’ve secured an astonishing deal so I’ve put down a deposit,” Gloria said.
“What is with both you and your father talking about money all the time?”
“Have you spoken to him about your finances…?” She couldn’t help but hint.
“I didn’t raise you to be miserly Sophie! Are you telling me I can’t splash out for our anniversary?” Gloria snapped. “It’s for our anniversary, but I’ve bought it as a Christmas present. See, I’m killing two birds with one stone.” How clever. The way to bankrupt the family was to avoid discussing extravagant purchases and label the transaction ‘a present’.
“You know we’re in a recession,” Sophie insisted. “You should talk to him.”
“Your father and I don’t have an arrangement where I beg for money. We both share everything.” Her tone was hard. “He hasn’t said anything to you about money, has he? Why? Should I be worried?”
Sophie fumbled with the phone cord. Her thoughts seesawed back and forth. Gloria was entitled to know about their household income and the current strain on expenses. Perhaps if Gloria knew, she could help take the burden from her father. But it wasn’t her secret to tell.
“You must have read about it in the papers. People are losing their jobs without any warning. It pays to be prudent.”
Gloria grunted. “What an excuse. Consider the person you want to be. Not some cheapskate I’d bet,” Gloria said, the words stinging. “Of course your father would like a cruise. We can afford it, and we’ve got plenty in savings. And besides, I think it’s important for your father and me….” Her mother’s voice shook.
“How do you mean it’s important?”
“I’ve already told you,” Gloria said. “He’s been acting so strangely. He comes home either smelling of chlorine or milk….”
“Milk?” Sophie interjected and furrowed her brow.
“Yes, milk,” Gloria said irritably. “Last night he insisted he wanted to discuss something of crucial importance that affects me. You know how he gets, so melodramatic sometimes. I told him to calm down. I practically bolted out of the house.”
“Why did you bolt out of the house?” Sophie chided. “It could be important.”
“I had to devise a plan to win him back.”
“What?”
“I can’t listen to him telling me about another woman.”
“What are you talking about?”
“All the swimming, Sophie. And he constantly smells like burned milk.”
“I just don’t understand the milk.”
“What can it be other than someone else? A woman with a baby? Who’s always heating milk, or maybe he’s doing that.”
“Er…I don’t think so.”
“So I’m trying to win him back. That’s why it’s so important about the cruise. I went out this morning and bought some sexy lingerie.”
Sophie shut her eyes. “You don’t have to go into that.”
“I’ve even booked a waxing appointment. Apparently it’s what all you young girls do. I’m getting the full Hollywood.”
“Mum – stop it,” Sophie gasped not wanting to hear.
“Sophie, wouldn’t you do anything to save your marriage? A little bit of hot wax might be the very thing.”
“Mum!” Sophie cried and tried to compose herself. “Dad obviously wants to talk to you about something important. You must listen to him. It could be anything. Anything. It could be about his health, about his job, about money. You’re the one being melodramatic. I doubt he’s even thought of ever having an affair. That’s preposterous.”
“Stop calling me melodramatic. I’m your mother.”
“It’s the recession Mum, he’s probably worried. Everyone has more pressure to perform these days. You should talk to him. You need to listen to him. You must,” Sophie insisted.
“You really don’t think he’s having an affair and he’s trying to come clean?” Gloria whimpered.
“Of course not.” Sophie blew out a breath. “Ask him what’s wrong.”
“I don’t want him to leave me. Soph, I’m petrified.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Sophie noticed Bradley approaching her desk. She stopped doodling on a company notepad with a black pen.
“Sophie, are you there?” Gloria continued. “You’ve gone awfully quiet.”
“Talk to him. It’s probably very important. I know he’s not a man of many words but just do it,” she said. Then, “I’ve got to go.” She didn’t wait for goodbyes as she hung up the phone. She smiled up at her boss who was now by her chair snooping around her desk. “Bradley, what can I do for you?”
“I’m hearing good feedback from the rest of the team about the Silver account. Apparently you did another all-nighter.”
Sophie shrugged. “No big deal Bradley.” What was an all-nighter in comparison to getting in the pool?
Chapter 15