Broken Promises

Chapter 18

Paris the following week:

Will took the coffee from the runner, a beautiful blonde who had been trying her best to flirt with him, providing false sympathies since his return to set. She was good looking, but Will wasn't interested. The director was busy shouting at people as they set up the next shot and he was glad of a hot drink as the Parisian rain drizzled all around him, barely sheltered under the cheap gazebo. His phone buzzed,

'Hi Will, it's Mya sorry to hear about your dad. I've got that print for you soz it's taken so long, give me a bell, M x' he smiled to himself before tapping out a reply,

'Hi Mya, I'm still in Paris finishing off filming, can you send it when I'm back, should be a couple of weeks?' the almost instant response came,

'No probs drop me your address when it's convenient! :) M x,'

Will tapped back his London address and returned to his coffee, that was something to look forward to at least.

'Be ready for you in 5 Will,' the director said to him, Will nodded and drank some more coffee. He couldn't help but read the message Simon had sent him shortly after the exhibition in Bristol. Message Simon: "Hey buddy look who made the local rag, hope you're enjoying Paris, don't do anything I wouldn't 😉," Attached was a photo of a newspaper article from the Bristol gazette, featuring Mya's exhibition, he smiled as he remembered the photo being taken 'Will Melksham soaks up local culture at Mya Davies show,' read the title,

'Yup, just as beautiful as I remember,' he said to himself as the smiling face of Sophie stared back at him from the photo.

The next couple of weeks passed in a blur for Sophie, the solicitor was true to her word and a shocked Stuart had received divorce proceedings within days of their meeting. Stuart had kept up his promise and several estate agents viewed the property later that week. Sophie's heart pounded as she turned her key in the lock,

'Be confident, be friendly, be firm,' she told herself.

'Hello Stuart,' said Sophie as she walked into the lounge, Stuart sat perched, stiff backed on the sofa waiting for the estate agents.

'Sophie, hi,' he got up and looked as if he was going to try and hug her and then thought better of it, 'You look really well,' he settled on instead,

'Thanks,' said Sophie simply, 'How are you?' she asked,

'Oh fine, it's been a weird couple of weeks, lots of change,' he replied, looking nervous, Sophie studied him as he started pacing the room, he looked a lot older to her suddenly, his face looked sallow and pale, she swore he was greyer than the last time she saw him. Sophie on the other hand had just come from the hairdressers, her chestnut locks glossy and blow dried. The doorbell rang,

'Hi I'm Stephen from Callows estate agent, you must be Sophie,' said the sharp suited man shaking her hand vigorously,

'Yes thanks for coming, this is Stuart,' said Sophie automatically introducing her him on autopilot,

'Hi Stuart, we spoke on the phone. Lovely house you have here, any particular reason you're selling?' asked Stephen,

'Because we are divorcing Stephen, I would have thought Stuart would have told you that one the phone,' said Sophie, a saccharine smile on her face, Stuart looked at the floor,

'Ah, I see, ok,' he looked at the floor for a few seconds unsure what to say next, 'Well I will do my utmost to get you the best price for your house for you both. Shall I look around?' he asked,

'I'll give you the tour,' said Sophie, leaving Stuart behind. Stephen went through fees and selling and told them what he hoped to sell the house for.

'It's going to go very quickly, believe me,' he told them, tour over Sophie showed him back to the front door,