Broken Promises

Chapter 8

*My favourite chapter by far - Enjoy*

3 months later

Sophies alarm went off early for a Saturday, she shook the muziness from her head before remembering its purpose, it was Mya's launch today. Throwing back the covers she raced to the shower, the steam soon helped lift the fog in her head, a stressful week at work meant she was looking forward to some peace and quiet reading her new book on the train. Lathering the shampoo into her hair, she luxuriated in the water teaming down on her. She grabbed her fancy shower gel, the one for special days, its thick foam of patchouli and geranium filled the small room. She quickly shaved her legs and armpits, nicking her knee slightly in her hast,

'Ah bugger,' Sophie exclaimed as bright red blood plumed from the site and dribbled down her leg. Rinsing the conditioner from her hair and the last of the shower gel from her body she turned off the water and stepped out. She fixed a piece of toilet paper to her knee and padded back to the bedroom. Sophie surveyed the outfit that she had chosen earlier in the week. A floaty teal tea dress, mother of pearl buttoned navy cardigan and her best brown knee-high boots. Sophie fingered the necklaces hanging from her dressing table and chose a chunky silver one, interlocked hexagons that Mya had given her for her birthday last year, she rooted in her jewellery box for the matching earrings,

'Aha,' fishing the second one out from under a large pendant. Stuart had already left for work. Sophie plugged in her hair straighteners and dressed while they heated. She tried her best to accomplish something that vaguely resembled 'Beachy waves' and started on her makeup, keeping it light and natural as possible but definitely a day for her best lipstick.

Checking her appearance in the mirror Sophie smiled, turning side on, she couldn't help but notice the flatness of her stomach, the gentle curve of the baby a distant memory. Next time she thought wistfully, she spritzed her favourite perfume on and made her way downstairs. Breakfast done, her handbag already packed, e-reader fully charged and her thick navy wool coat on she headed out to catch the bus to the train station.

Climbing onto the train she made her way to the First-class coach to look for her seat, finding it she settled down clasping a cup of takeaway coffee in her hands for warmth. A voice startled her out of her reverie and Sophie looked up. His presence was so unexpected, she wasn't even sure it was him at first. Her eyes quickly searched his face for clues, the smattering of grey at the temples, the gentle crow's feet at the corner of glistening bright blue eyes, but it was when he spoke again, she knew it was definitely him. There was no mistaking that deep gentle baritone voice. Her breath caught in her throat as she realised, he was talking to her, she had been so busy looking at him she had no idea what he had said to her. 'Pardon?' Sophie managed in a weak, nervous voice,

'Sorry but that's my seat' he repeated gesturing towards the chair next to her with a jacket crumpled on it, he seemed bashful about having to ask her to move.

'Oh yes of course sorry' but in her haste to get up Sophie dropped her coffee, it fell to the floor, the lid came away and coffee poured across the dirty stained carriage carpet.

'Oh shit, your coffee, let me get you another one' said the handsome stranger,

'No don't be daft, it's my own fault I'm so bloody clumsy,' she laughed, 'Anyway no harm done didn't get any on me, only cheered up the carpet' she replied, he chuckled, a hearty rumble, as he settled in his seat.

'Well, if the trolley comes past I'm getting you another one,' the insistence in his voice made Sophie cave,

'Ok fine, deal,' she tried to flash him what she hoped was a cheeky grin,