Waking up exhausted but suddenly hopeful, Sophie instantly checked her messages, feeling slightly pathetic as she scrutinised her mobile. Her heart ached. There was still nothing from Derek.
There was, however, a text from her dad. “Please call me.” Much to Sophie’s envy, her dad would be blissfully asleep; it was too early to buzz him back.
There were no missed calls or texts from Matthew Silver.
Stifling thoughts of Derek, she focused on Matthew Silver’s absence from the gala. She couldn’t fathom his last minute acceptance and then his no show.
As she rolled out of bed, Sophie wondered how to express her annoyance in a satisfying and professional manner. The hour was too early for her to rush to Clarks and arrange a meeting, and emails were often misconstrued.
An idea germinated. It was primetime for sporty types to take a dip in the pool. Sophie’s new home was situated in Highbury, a stone’s throw from Highbury Fields, which was strolling distance to Matthew’s swimming centre.
It was highly likely that Matthew, owner of a swimming chain, would be the type to swim laps before work. Besides, it wasn’t as if he would be curled up in bed, hungover after too many drinks at the gala.
It was an excellent idea. This morning they would meet, and she would finally put a face to the name Matthew Silver.