Sophie stood on the steps outside the theatre waiting for the group to arrive. She hated being the first person at an event, so she felt relieved when she noticed Mickey walking towards the theatre. She looked tall and confident, walking close to an extremely drop dead gorgeous man who must be none other than the mysterious date.
Mickey talked and laughed animatedly. She wore high heels and a designer dress. This was a stark change from her work flats and trousers. Her red hair hung softly around her shoulders. Her face was slightly flushed as she gazed up at the man. He slung an arm around her shoulders, and Mickey gazed adoringly at him.
Sophie caught up with them. “Hey guys,” she said, feeling awkward, like she was interrupting an intimate moment.
“My God, I didn’t recognise you!” Mickey enthused, stepping back to study Sophie, her expression curious. “You look totally wow. I love this look.”
“Same to you,” Sophie said, scanning Mickey’s dress which showed off her friend’s excellent figure.
“This is Clive Banks, my business partner.”
“Great seeing you again.” Then, realising the time, she wondered where Matthew was, as the theatre was becoming busier by the minute. “You go on inside. I’m going to wait here for Matthew.”
Mickey and Clive went inside. Sophie hovered to one side of the doorway, watching people stroll through the crowd as she searched for Matthew. As she waited, she continued to brush down the fabric of her fairy floss dress.
Then she saw him, and was about to call his name when the lady selling ‘Swan Lake’ programmes propelled a booklet into his face. Forgetting the price, the sales girl became tongue-tied when faced with him. He was undeniably handsome, as he flashed a grin.
Sophie threw her hand above her head, waving frantically, realising her voice was caught in her throat. Did she like him? Did she want this to be a date? She suddenly felt nervous.
She finally caught his attention and his face lit up. He rushed forward to meet her as she raced down the staircase, hoping she wouldn’t fall flat in front of him.
Matthew reached her, leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Sorry if I’ve kept you waiting.” He ran his hand through his blond hair. “You look fantastic. I almost didn’t recognise your new look. Stunning.” Her skin tingled from where he’d rested his lips. She touched her cheek, which still burnt.
“You look great too.” He’d always looked dashing in suits, since the first time she’d seen him outside the hotel for the gala night. “I already have a programme.”
“Great,” he said, smiling in admiration.
She extracted an item from her bag. “This is for you. I wanted to give it to you now, not in front of the others.” She felt the tips of her ears going pink as she placed a small package in his hands.
“What is it?” He asked and cocked his head to the side.
“It’s a Christmas gift and a thank you, all bunched into one.” She didn’t dare look at his face, feeling completely embarrassed.
“Really?”
“I just wanted to thank you for the swimming lessons and everything. But you’re not to open it until Christmas.”
“Is that right?” He was curious.
“Yup, so you can put it in your pocket.”
He turned the package over in his hands, and slipped it into his lapel pocket. “You’re so mysterious. Thank you. Thank you very much.” He gazed at her and an odd expression crossed his face.
“We’d better find the others.” She led him towards where Mickey and Clive waited in the foyer.
“Matthew Silver,” she introduced. “This is Clive, and of course you’ve met Mickey.”
“Hi.” Matthew pecked Mickey’s cheek and shook Clive’s hand.
“I’ve ordered some champagne to be delivered to our seats,” Clive informed. “It appears the girls have been pretty awesome by securing us our own box.”
“That was a courtesy from Carol,” Mickey admitted.
“A drink would be great,” Matthew agreed.
“A drink might help fight off the boredom,” Clive suggested.
“You’re such a boy.” Mickey shot Clive a glare. “It’s Carol’s night, so behave.”
“Michelle,” Clive replied sharply and Mickey shot him a glance, hearing ‘Michelle’.
“Clive you know I don’t like that,” Mickey insisted.
He roared with laughter and she slapped him playfully on the arm. Matthew and Sophie exchanged glances as Clive looked down at Mickey.
Clive nodded and turned to Matthew. “How did you get roped into this?” he asked Matthew pointedly.
“How would you tell Carol you’re not seeing her show?” Matthew replied.
“I’ve never met this formidable Carol,” Clive joked. “I’m curious too. She sounds like a hoot.”
“Sophie.” Mickey suddenly went stiff. “Don’t turn around.”
“Why not?” Sophie asked. Since Mickey instructed her not to turn around, that was exactly what she wanted to do.
“Why don’t we go to our seats?” Mickey continued.
Sophie saw Matthew’s gaze follow Mickey’s. A deep frown disturbed his smile.
“What is it?” Sophie asked.
Matthew met Mickey’s gaze and they both frowned. He then turned to Sophie. “Do you trust me?” he said softly.
“Yes,” Sophie answered bewilderedly.
“You can turn around if you want to, but you might ruin your night,” Matthew muttered.
“Oh but what could possibly go wrong? Don’t tell me Bradley’s here. He’ll think I’m sloping off from work too early. Don’t worry about me, I can face Bradley. Besides, you all keep telling me to always face things,” Sophie replied.
Matthew shook his head in annoyance as she turned around.
Derek, tall and handsome, was in the middle of the foyer. He held the hand of a girl who could only be Georgina from the shopping centre.
“What’s he doing here?” Blood raced through Sophie’s veins. Panic rose within her body. “He’s coming this way.” She wanted to run, exit the building. Her heart galloped, like a horse race was happening in her chest. “I haven’t spoken to him for ages.” She looked for the exits, but knew she couldn’t leave; Carol’s performance was one night only; that she did know.
“Matthew, Mickey, what am I going to do?” Run. She should run. But if she did, he’d be sure to see her darting away, and she’d look like a coward.
“I’ve got it, I have a proposition, one you might not like,” Matthew volunteered. “Would it help if you had a boyfriend at your side? I could pretend.”
“Yes. Yes. That would help.” This was an excellent idea. A boyfriend. That would make Derek wildly jealous. “Great idea. Your best proposal yet!”
She was already facing him; Matthew put his arm around her.
“Keep talking to me. He’s coming this way; I think he’s seen Mickey,” Matthew whispered, monitoring Derek’s movements as he watched over her shoulders. Matthew brought his arms around her neck, his chin rested on her forehead.
She could feel his breath. Behind her, she heard the familiar voice.
“Mickey,” Derek’s voice exclaimed. “I can’t believe that’s you. What are the chances?”
“Yeah,” Mickey muttered.
“Swine,” Sophie blurted under her breath.
“Have you met Clive Jefferies?” Mickey continued.
Sophie whispered to Matthew, her words inaudible. “You know girls don’t ever make the first move.”
“No, I didn’t realise that.”
“In a situation of fake boyfriends….”
“You want me to become more of an actor? I’m a pretty impressive actor,” he insisted.
That settled it for Sophie. “Kiss me?” She asked. “That’s what boyfriends do, isn’t it?” He stared deeply into her eyes, contemplating his next move. His lips suddenly touched hers, and for a moment, she lost all sense of time. She felt a tingly sensation, her breathing q
uickened as his tongue probed gently.
She didn’t know how long the kiss went on for. It eventually stopped; after all they were at the theatre. Pashing at the theatre – she’d lost all class! Her heart beat impossibly fast. Maybe the drumming was because Derek was there, right behind her, and hadn’t even noticed it. Or possibly because since she’d broken the kiss, they’d stared at each other, like she’d never seen Matthew clearly before. There was a strong possibility, that behind his gaze there was an unmistakable longing, and this night, maybe, just maybe, was a date.
“See, I told you, one day I’d have you falling at my feet,” he muttered under his breath.
She couldn’t help but smile and gently swatted him with her palm. “Cheeky,” she said, turning around.
Derek was in mid-conversation with Mickey, and glanced in her direction. He did a double take and froze.
“Oh my God,” Sophie said, with fake surprise. “Derek?”
“Sophie?” His voice was stiff. “I didn’t recognise you. The blonde hair, that’s new. The dress. I’ve never seen it before.” Why would you, when you have a new girlfriend? Sophie wanted to reply sarcastically, but she managed to remain calm.
Sophie smiled. “This is Matthew.” She introduced him.
Derek’s gaze filtered up and down Matthew. “Your boyfriend?” Derek asked casually. Almost too casually.
“We’re ….” She glanced at Matthew, how did she answer that?
“Dating,” Matthew piped up, beaming, like he’d won some sort of prize.
“Exclusively?” Derek persisted, as if he wasn’t able to help himself.
“Derek. Don’t be rude,” Georgina interjected.
“Yeah, exclusively, I’d say,” Matthew continued, sliding his arm around Sophie’s waist. He kissed the top of her head, very naturally, like he did it all the time.
“This is Georgina. Georgina, this is Sophie and Matthew.” Derek made the introductions.
Sophie smiled tightly at the girl next to Derek, extending her hand politely. Manners were important.
“It’s great to meet some of Derek’s friends,” Georgina gushed. She was nice and Sophie wanted to hate her, to say something spiteful, but she couldn’t. “Haven’t we met before?”
“Yes, I think so, at Selfridges’s, shopping,” Sophie replied. “I’m not sure if you remember but I ran into the two of you. Derek bought you Chanel perfume. Had you two started dating then? I didn’t want to intrude.” Sophie probed for facts.
Derek looked stricken.
“No, we’ve been together for well over a year,” Georgina smiled.
“Oh, I see.” Something inside her wanted to scream that she had been living with Derek during that same year. She glared at Derek and her eyes narrowed. “I’m so happy that Derek’s found someone he obviously loves.”
Georgina smiled. “We’re still in the honeymoon stage. He keeps asking me to move in.”
“Fantastic,” Sophie replied as something sharp stabbed at her heart. A strong hand squeezed her waist. It must have been Matthew’s. She couldn’t talk about Derek and Georgina any further. “My flat mate, Carol, is the lead in the show tonight,” Sophie continued, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “She would be thrilled that more people she knows will watch her. You met her, too, I think.”
“We’d better go to our seats,” Mickey said, eyes darting between the frozen Derek and Sophie’s icy glare. “Don’t want to miss anything.”
“Well we might see you at the interval,” Georgina said with enthusiasm. “Maybe I should get your phone number just in case I arrange the housewarming. I can’t see Derek doing that. I’ve met some of the boys and I’d really like it if you came too.”
Sophie blanked her expression. “Sure, okay. Call me anytime,” Sophie replied. “We could have a nice long chat.”
Derek almost choked and his face turned purple. “I’ve got Sophie’s details,” Derek interjected. “We’d better get going.”