Skinny Dipping

Sophie felt flat as she loaded her red Volkswagen Beetle with presents for Christmas at the cottage. Things had been very tense every time she’d spoken to her mother since the discovery of Roger’s redundancy and Sophie’s involvement in the cover up.

  The only consolation was, at least the news was now out in the open. The family could move on.

  Sophie had left driving to the cottage for Christmas until the last minute. Carol’s departure to her parents’ place the night before had left Sophie feeling alone.

  Sophie felt quite single at twenty-five without a boyfriend on the horizon. Christmas festivities would be tiring, with her single status the subject of much contemplation.

  She felt even worse because she hadn’t expected one night out with Matthew to cause a complete deterioration in their relationship. She’d evidently offended him greatly. Although she wasn’t sure how. But after that night, he hadn’t called or texted her. She didn’t understand quite what she’d done. All she could think about was the kiss. He must have hated it.

  Sophie slammed down the boot of her car. She leapt inside, set to drive to the cottage for Christmas. On the bright side, at least she would be able to talk to her dad – they hadn’t spoken for about a month.

  She turned her key in the ignition. The car lurched and failed. She chanced another attempt to start the vehicle. The engine spat, then stopped. She hunched over the steering wheel, willing the car to move.

  A rapping on her car window startled her. She jolted in her seat. She sighed gratefully as she noticed Matthew on the pavement. “Merry Christmas,” he mouthed.

  She catapulted out of the Volkswagen Beetle, stopping mere inches from him. She smiled warily. He grinned. His smile was enough encouragement for Sophie, an implied invitation. She flung both arms around his neck and gathered him into an embrace. She clamped her eyes shut. She gripped him tight and realisation swooped over her. She was scared to have almost lost him.

  She felt his warm body move as he laughed. Pulling her closer, his arms circled her waist. He’d been so good to her. As she held him she couldn’t help but wonder why he was at her place, on Christmas Day.

  “I was wondering how you were,” she said into his neck, recalling the kiss in the middle of the theatre.

  His breath was warm on her neck. “Sorry but I’ve been super busy,” he whispered. “Just wrapping things up at Brighton for Christmas.”

  Jubilation danced through her body, and she felt a thrill of excitement. “I’m going down to Brighton after Christmas,” she enthused.

  “Are you?” he exclaimed.

  “To work on your job.” She released Matthew from her grip, suddenly awkward at her enthusiasm. “It’s good to see you,” she mumbled, trying desperately to shake her feelings of embarrassment.

  He wore a sheepish expression on his face. “I tried to call your phone earlier this morning, but you weren’t picking up.”

  “I’ve been packing. I must have missed it,” she said.

  “I wanted to catch you before you took off. You said the other night you were leaving this morning. So I just came by….”

  “Yeah. Almost ready to go. Got to get this baby running. It doesn’t seem to want to cooperate this morning.” She tapped the Beetle’s bonnet lovingly. She adored her car. If her car had been reliable, she’d have left already and missed his visit.

  “Want me to take a look?”

  Sophie was impressed. “Do you know anything about cars?”

  “A little. I have a car habit, remember.”

  “Okay, would you mind? I don’t know what I’ll do if it won’t start.”

  “I could drive you, if you wanted?”

  She cocked her head to the side, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t want you to have to do that. You’d be late for your own Christmas dinner. Your mum would hate me.”

  “I’m sure she’d be absolutely charmed by you, if she met you. Although, you’re right. She is touchy about people being late for her roast dinner, including me. We couldn’t have that.” His eyes twinkled playfully.

  “Let’s think positive, the car will start,” she said with a serious note in her voice.

  “Yes, positive thoughts.” He nodded and jumped into the car, his muscular body a little too large for her small car. “Can you hold this please?” He handed her a package, meticulously wrapped.

  He focused on the ignition, turned the key. The engine spluttered. He tried again and Sophie twisted her hands. What was she going to do? On the third attempt the car buzzed into life and he turned his head toward her.

  “Magic touch,” Sophie enthused. “What talents you have magical Matthew.”

  “The engine was probably just cold, I think….” He got out of the driver’s seat and stepped back onto the pavement.

  She sighed with relief. “Thanks,” she exclaimed. “Thanks so much,” she said, handing him the present back. He waved his hand, he wouldn’t take it.

  “It’s for you. Merry Christmas. That’s why I’m here.”

  She looked down at the gift, her heart racing. “You didn’t have to. Did you like my gift? Have you opened it yet?”

  “I haven’t opened it.” He shook his head. “Besides, you told me not to open it until Christmas.”

  “But it is Christmas – today,” she said pointedly.

  “Well, then, I’ll report back to you as soon as possible,” he said. “Open this here, if you want, in front of me.”

  With shaking hands she undid the ribbon. She tore the wrapping with the excitement of a child, to reveal a rectangular Ted Baker box. “Wow,” she gasped. Ted Baker was an extremely expensive brand and not one Sophie ordinarily splashed out on.

  Amusement flashed across his face. “Do you like it?” he questioned.

  “I like anything from Ted Baker.” With an element of showmanship she shook the box. Unable to resist much longer, Sophie peeled the lid from the box. Her eyes widened. “Ah, a wallet.”

  “I know you like leather.”

  “I do. Thank you.” Overwhelmed with emotion she leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you so much. You have an impressive memory. I mentioned it when we first met.”

  “How could I forget?” He shrugged. “Look inside.”

  “Should I be expecting a hundred quid too?” she questioned, and they both roared with laughter. He twinkled as she peeled the purse open to expose a folded piece of paper. She shook the page out and scanned the writing.

  “It’s bad luck to give someone an empty wallet,” he explained, observing her curiously. “Instead of cash I thought you might like this instead.”

  “Vouchers to use at the swimming centre.” She laughed. “Thank you.”

  “A bit of a joke….” He shifted on his feet. “I was going to ask…, since you said you were possibly going to Brighton?”

  “Yeah, I’m driving down for work, to complete the script for the shoot.”

  “Ah.” He shuffled awkwardly on the pavement. “I think I mentioned beforehand that the publicist for my hotel chain was thinking about throwing a New Year’s Eve party at our Brighton hotel to generate a buzz. Well it’s happening because most of my Brighton hotel is empty. So my publicist is pulling out all the stops as a last effort to generate bookings. Of course they’re inviting about two hundred people in the travel industry and the press. I’ve agreed to the event but have insisted upon inviting some of my own friends. Eve and Josh are going, and some mates from school and university. It’ll be fun. You should come too.”

  “It sounds fun.”

  “Carol and Mickey of course are invited and Clive can come, too. Just let me know because of the catering.”

  “I’ll ask them.”

  “You must,” Matthew encouraged. “There will be fireworks down by the water. Quite a few of the suites are empty and I’m reserving a few for mates. Why don’t the three of you girls take one? No cost to you, of course. You can have some drinks, relax, and then join the party wh
en you’re ready.” He grinned. “No pressure.”

  “It sounds like fun. I’ll talk to them. I’m sure they’ll agree.” Anticipation ran up her spine. “If I’m up in Brighton, I might work beforehand while I’m there and check out the sites.”

  “Really Soph? Don’t you ever take a break?” he frowned. “It’s a holiday.”

  “Well I’ll already be there. There’s no point going twice,” she insisted.

  “Fair enough.” He shook his head. “Since the work’s for my commercial, why don’t I meet you there and help.”

  “Sure, if you want to. You don’t have to. I’ve got it all under control.”

  “I’d like to.”

  “Okay,” she paused. “If it’s okay, with you?”

  He nodded. “Very okay.” He smiled and she couldn’t help but smile back. “We’ll organise the time to go over all the professional work stuff later. But it would be nice to try and separate the personal and the professional.”

  “Great.”

  “Great. I’ll call you to work out the details.” Matthew leaned over, and she held her breath as he kissed her softly on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Sophie.” His eyes were round, his gaze intense.

  “Merry Christmas, Matthew.”

  At that moment she longed for mistletoe hanging over their heads.