***
On her way out of the swimming centre, Matthew was already at reception. His face broke out into a smile which extended from ear to ear. “So I’ll see you tomorrow night for Carol’s performance?” he said. A ripple of excitement went through her body when his eyes locked with hers.
She dropped her Mary Poppins bag on the counter, settling in for a chat with him. “Yes, it should be fun.”
His gaze flicked to her work bag. “You’re not going back to work again, are you?”
She sighed. “It’s busy right before Christmas. Talking about work, have you read the fabulous script for your commercial?”
“Yes, I’ve read it. I’m excited.”
“You’re not working late tonight?”
“No, I’m off to Brighton actually. I’m going to the hotel to meet my publicist. She’s insisting on a New Year’s Eve party to help get people inside the doors.”
“Wow that sounds exciting.”
“It sounds very last minute but we’ve got to somehow convince the public that my hotel isn’t as bad as the reviews on the internet.” He sighed and met her gaze. Tiny shivers of delight run up and down her arms. “I’ll be back for tomorrow night.”
She broke his gaze when her phone rang shrill. “Look, I’d better go, see you tomorrow.” She waved to Matthew, as she opened the door to leave.
Sophie answered her phone as she left the Highbury Aquatic Centre and she began to walk home. “Hello,” she said. All Sophie could hear was a muffled sobbing.
“Sophie, you knew,” the tone was accusatory.
Apprehension crawled up Sophie’s spine. “What did I know?” she asked, but she was pretty sure she knew what was coming.
“About your father.”
“What about my father?” Sophie’s body stiffened like a string ready to snap. “He’s not having an affair is he?”
“His redundancy.”
“I see.” Relief washed over her; the secret was out. Now they could at least discuss the problem.
“You knew!”
She swallowed hard. “And what did Dad say when you spoke to him about it?”
“I asked him what he had been doing for the last few months.” Gloria laughed shrilly. “He’s doing very well. He’s been swimming, as you know, with your bloody client.”
“Yeessss.”
“And he’s been going to your place, during the day.”
“Yes, that’s true,” Sophie admitted in the smallest voice.
“But Sophie, if he had been going to your place, why didn’t you tell me?” Gloria said crossly. “I’m your mother; you should tell me these things.”
“I’m sorry,” Sophie said as the familiar surge of guilt returned. There were two sides to every story. Why was she the one getting in trouble about this? But then she knew why. She’d covered up one of those secrets that need to be shared. It was too big a secret to have kept.
“It’s true. He’s been coming to my place and I’ve been helping him look for a job. Honestly, he’s been trying to find the right timing to tell you. He didn’t want to worry you. But, Mum, you wouldn’t listen to him.”
“As you know I’ve been extremely concerned.” Gloria’s voice was steely. “And don’t talk to me about honesty, Sophie. I thought I’d raised you better. Thanks a bloody lot. I was dead certain he was having an affair and I even signed up to a pole dancing class.”
“Pole dancing is great exercise,” Sophie muttered.
“I was the oldest person there and I’ve almost pulled every muscle in my thighs and arms. I hobble as I walk. So tell me how I’m supposed to explain that to your father?”
“The truth,” Sophie squeaked.
“Only if he tells me about the milk,” Gloria hissed down the phone. “Why does he smell like milk?”
Chapter 16