Skinny Dipping (26 page)

Feeling a slight tap on her back, steadying her, a thought sprang into her mind. She wanted to thank him. Give him a Christmas present, and as she thrashed and churned the water, her mind worked simultaneously. He liked cars. He liked tequila. He liked dolphins. He loved swimming. What else..., what could she get him?

Chapter 20

Gloria rang to apologise for hanging up on Sophie. “I’ve booked a cruise for your father and me,” Gloria said down the line.

Sophie felt herself suddenly panic, a surge of wonder went through her body, how were they going to pay for the cruise? “Mum, are you sure that’s something he’s going to want to do? They’re awfully expensive, aren’t they?”

“I’ve only paid the deposit but I’ve got such an excellent deal. What is with both you and your father talking about money all the time? So tight all of a sudden.”

“Well…”

“Well…It’s for our anniversary next year, 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 not talk about expensive purchases and just call the transaction a present.

“You know we’re in a recession – and with the unstable economic environment there’s no way we can predict just how stable Dad’s employment situation is,” Sophie said.

“He hasn’t said anything like that. Should I be worried?” Gloria asked. The tone was hard, questioning. Maybe Gloria was cottoning on to what was happening.

Sophie gripped the phone, seesawing backward and forward, which way should she fall? Tell? Gloria needed to know, their household spending was dwindling and she had no idea. 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, Mum. These things happen without anyone’s knowledge. It pays to be prudent.”

Gloria grunted. “You need to start thinking about not being so tight. Think about the way other people might feel. Not everything is doom and gloom,” Gloria said, the words stinging. “Of course your father would like a cruise, we can afford it, we’ve got loads in savings. And besides, I think it would be important for your father and me….” Her mother’s voice was slightly shaking.

“What do you mean? Important?”

“He’s been so on edge,” Gloria started. “Acting so strangely. He says he wants to talk to me about something. He’s been saying it for months. I have no idea what he wants to talk about. At first I thought it was another woman. Then I thought it was the Christmas cottage stuff. But I don’t think it’s either of that stuff. But when we try to talk it’s like a volcano erupts. It’s hard to have a conversation about anything with him, and when I ask him about his day, he goes literally through the roof.”

“Try again, it must be hard whatever he’s trying to tell you.”

“I think he needs a break. That’s what I think it is. So, I thought we should get away. He’s stressed.”

Sophie resisted the urge to laugh. ‘Stressed’ didn’t even come close. She tried again. “It’s the recession Mum, he’s probably worried. Everyone has more pressure to perform these days. You should talk to him. He’s probably internally writhing about something.”

“You sure? You mean just have it out with him?” Gloria’s voice was just a whisper.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sophie noticed Bradley standing next to her desk, staring at her speaking into the receiver. Sophie frowned, committing her face to wearing her most stern expression. She stopped doodling on a company notepad, scribbling 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, placing the receiver down, she ripped the piece of paper from her notepad, and placed it in a manila folder. Of course, she was holding up the perfect picture of a busy, workaholic; Sophie Smart who was on the trajectory – up to Senior Management. Bradley must believe that.

“Sorry about that,” Sophie said, looking at Bradley.

“Do you have a second?” he asked, and Sophie shrugged.

“Always time for you.”

A broad smile spread across Bradley’s handsome face. He motioned her toward his office and shut the door, an unusual act, even for Bradley. Sophie was suddenly filled with anxiety, what did he want to talk to her about behind closed doors?

In his office, she stood in front of his aqua, kidney-shaped desk.

“Sophie, take a seat,” he instructed. “What’s the progress on the Skinny Dipping Commercial? We need to get it billed. I need to bring the revenue in.”

“We’ve auditioned, found a fabulous face. Samantha. She’s stunning.”

“So when’s the shoot? Because then we can bill, it’s a milestone worth billing for.”

“After Christmas. We’ll shoot first thing in the new year.”

“What’s the hold up?”

“The girl’s agent rang. She doesn’t have Actors Equity or something. She’s applying.”

“Can you get someone else? Aren’t actresses a dime a dozen?”

“It’s going to eat into our time to get someone else. More casting time, more auditions. We don’t want to blow the budget. In the meantime, we’re working on the website. There’s a load to do.”

Bradley nodded. “Okay, you seem quite on top of it. Your work-in-progress for this account is building up. We need to bill soon. You need to get this done and invoiced to the client.”

Sophie nodded. “I’m going as fast as I can.”

“A tip Sophie.”

“What’s that?”

“Most actresses are out of work, why are you going with someone green? Someone so fresh? It sounds like a mistake for a national commercial. Maybe reconsider her.”

Doubt suddenly went through her mind, but Desmond had agreed once he’d auditioned her. Samantha was perfect as the face for the Silver Swimming Chain, and for what they were trying to achieve.

“Think hard about this Soph, don’t put a rod up your back, pinning everything on someone inexperienced. The client is important, but so is our revenue. We need to stay afloat.”

***

Sophie left work early that afternoon. Thoughts whirled through her mind, had she made the wrong decision with this fresh girl? Samantha, with so little experience. The thoughts melded into those of her Dad, having a hard time finding work. His lack of job and Gloria’s spending spree.

Sophie left a message on her Dad’s phone. If he didn’t tell his mother the truth within the week, then she would. She felt awful, they still hadn’t spoken since their terrible conversation. This was the very time when her father needed support, and not to be told off.

She found herself at the swimming pool. She got in the water and on her way out her mood instantly brightened when she saw Matthew standing at the pool reception counter. “You’re here to practise? We don’t have a lesson – or did I get it wrong?”

She shrugged. “I’ve just finished some practise.”

His face broke out into a smile which extended from ear to ear, he was so pleased. “Are you okay? Feverish?” he asked, he touched her forehead in a joking manner, rounding his eyes innocently. A ripple of excitement went through her body when his eyes locked with hers.

“Ploughing away; thought I would take out any negativity in the water.” She dropped her Mary Poppins bag on the counter, settling in for a chat with him. “What about you?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I’m manning reception until Eve gets back from her break. Everything going okay at work?”

She sighed. “It’s busy right before Christmas, I suppose. Have you read the fabulous script for your commercial?”

“Yes, I’ve read it. I’m excited.”

“The shooting will take place after the new year. One shot will be here at the
Highbury Aquatic Centre
, and the other at Brighton beach. Right at sunset, and all you see is a shadow of a girl running into the sea water, and a pair of swimmers hurled at the camera.”

“I’ve got a hotel up there,” he said casually. He grabbed the strap of her Mary Poppins bag and peeked in, avoiding eye contact with her.

“Well let me know if there is any site you particularly like. We’re scouting out a few different spots in Brighton. I’m actually going to go up there, possibly with Desmond,” she said, although she was sure Desmond would try and palm the task off to someone else. “We’ve got to take location photographs for the shooting script.”

“Yes, boss,” he winked at her. “You’re not trying to get out of practising?”

She paused, caught off guard, her face turned red. “Hang on, I’ve already practised. Well if you’re trying to get rid of me I’d better get going. I just thought…”

“Thought what?” he teased.

“You might like the company rather than standing here all on your own.” She grabbed her bag, lifted her chin, and walked toward the exit door.

He called out. “We still on for the ballet tomorrow night?” His voice was playful and she couldn’t help but smile.

She nodded. “I’m game if you are?”

“Hell yes,” he grinned. “My first ballet experience. I’m pumped.”

“One thing Matthew, I’ve never asked, do you by chance like Jamie Oliver?”

“Jamie Oliver?” Matthew gave her an odd look.

“It’s a very important question.” Then her phone rang shrill, breaking the mood. “Look, I better go, see you later.” She waved to Matthew, as she opened the door to exit. She answered her phone, walking outside the
Highbury Aquatic Centre
. Might as well begin the walk home.

“Hello,” she said. All Sophie could hear was a muffled sobbing.

“Sophie, did you know?”

Apprehension crawled up Sophie’s spine. “What happened?” she asked, but she was pretty sure she knew what was coming.

“About your father.”

“What about my father?” Sophie felt herself stiffen as she listened. Her whole body was tense; she felt like a string ready to snap.

“He’s been made redundant.”

“Okay.” She felt a sense of relief, the secret was out. She felt like doing cartwheels down the street. Now they could at least talk about the problem.

“You sound very calm about it all.”

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 said in the smallest voice.

“But Sophie, if he had been going to your place, why didn’t you tell me? How can I trust either of you?” Gloria said narkily.

“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling a surge of absolute guilt. There were two sides to every story, why was she getting in trouble about this. But then she knew why. She’d covered up one of those secrets that needed 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.”

“Well I was very worried.” 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 set certain he was having an affair.”

Then Gloria must have hung up the phone because all Sophie heard was a dial tone.

Chapter 21

Feeling overwhelmed with guild. Sophie found herself holding a glass of wine in Carol’s room. She told her all about the situation with her Mum and Dad.

“At least it’s out in the open,” Carol insisted.

“Yes, thankfully,” she sighed elaborately, then almost as if the wine was talking she continued to confide in Carol. “Tomorrow night. Matthew. Maybe I should cancel him coming. I think he thinks it’s a date.” Clothes sailed through the room like sea spray from the water. Carol’s head was thrust between hanging clothes, searching the depths of her wardrobe. Carol discarded items over her shoulder.

“I can’t believe you didn’t think about this earlier.” Carol’s voice was muffled, but the exasperation rang through. Sophie looked down at the new, black pinafore she’d worn to work, a little shorter than usual.

“It’s not a date, I never invited him to the ballet as a date, just as
friends
,” Sophie stated.

“Boring, boring, boring. Would it be so bad if it was a date?” Carol sang from the depths of the bedroom. “Thank God I was home to give you fashion advice. Especially since you’re all seeing my show. You need to look gorgeous if you going on a date – gorgeous enough to maybe even get a snog.”

Sophie sat on Carol’s bed, the sole human amongst a mountain of clothes. If she stayed here any longer, someone would have to send a rescue party to find her.

A pair of black jeans flew through the room and Sophie’s hand moved like lightning, snatching the garment. Holding the jeans up, she quickly determined that there was no possibility of her fitting in them. They were just too small.

Sophie folded the jeans, adding them to the pile of clean clothes, creating a division like the Berlin wall. A clean, neat pile of clothing now stood tall against the unknown. Carol wasn’t known for being tidy.

“Matthew’s very good looking, and he’s seeing you after work
tomorrow
, to see my show. You don’t have time to do emergency shopping, and don’t you dare run late. No time to come home and change. You’ve got to be seated by seven. And you might as well give him a go. He’s a nice guy. What’s wrong with you?”

Sophie shrugged. “I dunno.”

“He’s not like Derek, the cheating bastard. You can see it. We’ve seen him drunk, he’s always swarmed by girls, but he’s not a player. He’s reliable.”

“I don’t trust men – any men – to be honest.”

“You should trust Matthew, he makes sure you survive each swimming lesson. Have you drowned yet?”

“No.”

“So… give him a chance.”

“We’ll see.” Sophie jumped off the bed, picking a pair of dirty stockings up off the floor and throwing them into the laundry basket. “I didn’t think I’d have to buy anything new for the event, because his fiancée died and he’s still dealing with it. We’re just friends –we work together. It would be way too complicated if we started dating. Didn’t you give me that advice, never mix business and pleasure?”