Broken Promises

Chapter 23

2 Months later

Stuart was sat at the tiny table in the kitchen of the flat he shared with Vicki and their new baby son Charlie.  Vicki was sat flicking through the latest edition of her favourite celebrity gossip magazine, every now and then uttering an 'Ooh,' or a 'No way!'

'I can't believe you read that rubbish,' said Stuart looking up from his cereal at a particularly loud gasp.

'I like it, plus if you hadn't noticed we haven't had a lot of sleep recently, this is about all my brain can manage,' she replied huffily.  Staurt grunted and looked to his left, Charlie lay in a moses basket next to them, a chubby baby with a smattering of pale blond hair, he lay sleeping peacefully having been finally lulled by the sound of the washing machine. Vicki had returned to her magazine, taking a mouthful of tea she almost spat it all back over herself,

'Oh my god!' she exclaimed loudly,

'Ssshh you'll wake Charlie!' replied Stuart through gritted teeth, desperate for a moments peace 'What's so bloody exciting, if its one of those sisters with the fake arses I don't care!' Vicki raised her eyebrows at him, her look growing sterner as she slammed the magazine down in front of him, almost sending his bowl flying.

'Isn't that your ex-wife?' she said jabbing at the page, on it was a photograph of a man and woman giving dazzling smiles to the cameras as they walked up a red carpet.  He was wearing a tuxedo, and she was in a glamourous red evening gown, the caption below it said 'Will Melksham and his girlfriend Sophie, smile for the cameras at the premiere of his latest film,' The colour drained from Stuarts face as he stared at the photograph, it was definitely Sophie, there was no doubt about it, but she looked different, so different.  The article went on to say, 'Sources tell us that although we know very little about Sophie, it was clear for everyone to see that they only had eyes for each other,'

'It is isn't it,' said Vicki, 'She looks amazing! Will Melksham, she got an upgrade,' added Vicki with a tone of bitterness as she sat back down again, Stuart didn't answer, he hadn't heard her he was focused on the photograph of the beautiful woman who used to be married to him, but that woman was not his wife ex or otherwise, the one in the photograph looked happy, happier than he had ever made her.

Christmas Eve

This year Sophie had been invited to the Melksham's, her and Will both had the whole of Christmas and New year's off, a rare treat after years of being a retail widow. They pulled up outside a large Georgian terraced house, music could be heard blaring from the pavement,

'Ready for this?' Will asked Sophie,grinning,

'As ready as I'll ever be!' she replied, her stomach was in knots, she was so nervous, 'What if they don't like me?'

'Are you kidding? They are going to love you!! Now come on gorgeous,' he replied pulling her into a cheeky snog, 'Oh yeah put this on,' Will handed her a santa hat, she raised her eyebrows at him, 'Tradition!' said Will pulling on one with jingle bells all over it.

No sooner had they opened the car doors the front door opened and a woman in a bright pink kaftan came charging out,

'Sophie!!!' she cried, and grasped Sophie firmly in a bear hug, she pulled back, 'It is so wonderful to meet you!!!' the woman kissed her on both cheeks twice, 'Darling boy!! Come to mamma!!' grabbing Will and giving him the same treatment,

'Sophie this is my mum Lorelai, mum this is Sophie,' said Will, while being squeezed by his mother,

'Well I can see that darling,' she replied, Sophie attempted a nice to meet you before the woman continued talking, 'And oh my goodness she is even more gorgeous than you told us!' she said admiring Sophie, 'Now what's you poison, I'm on the gin, but you name it we've got it!'