Seize The Day

Chapter Twenty

 “Because you love him!” “He’s a man; there’ll be a simple reason behind it.”

Margo’s words woke Sophie the next morning, and in the cold light of day, she knew the older woman was right. Bill had told her he missed her, he loved her. Why would he suddenly change that opinion? And why wouldn’t he tell her?

She’d emailed him the previous night, all about Margo’s offer, Vincenza was nowhere to be seen, loved up with Ed, and quite rightly so, which left her less than friendly friend. She hoped that Bill would offer her some advice, though she wasn’t exactly sure what she expected him to say.

She was still flummoxed about everything when she made her way into town; the quest for a grand opening dress was starting to become a panic. She had three interviews the following day, and another two the day after. After that there was just two days to her launch, she had no idea how she was going to fit everything in. She had to buy a dress today, or there just wouldn’t be enough time!

After two hours of fruitless search, her phone rang. Vincenza.

                “How’s the shopping stranger?”

Sophie collapsed onto a bench on the busy High Street, “I have NO clue what to wear! I’m at a loss. Wish you were here!”

                “Well I just happen to have finished work early, and I have trade discount! Where are you?”

A further two hours later and Vin was as frustrated as Sophie, “I have never known someone as difficult to dress as you!”

Sophie glanced sideways at her, “I take it that’s not a compliment!”

Vin sighed, “Everything that would be instinctive for you swamps your personality. You need something light, cheeky, but I can’t find it! And that’s not like me!”

Sophie nodded, “maybe I’m destined to wear jeans!”

Leading her by the elbow, Vin deviated them into a wine bar, “liquid refreshment! And you shall NOT wear jeans!”

With a glass of wine each, they sat near the bar and sighed simultaneously.

                “Have you invited Nick yet?” Vin asked, sitting back in her chair. The frosty relationship between Sophie and her brother had been better of late, but she knew it was difficult for her friend to merge the family/friend boundaries.

                “I’m going for dinner there tomorrow. I haven’t mentioned it yet. I’m not sure they’ll come.”

Vin shook her head, “if they don’t that’s because you haven’t given them enough warning. They might struggle to get a babysitter.”

Sophie sighed, “it’s all too much to organise. I’m amazed I’ve got this far!”

                “You’ve been super organised, Bill would be so proud! I can’t wait to tell him! He must be chuffed to be up to fifth in the race!”

Sophie shrugged noncommittally; she’d still not told her friend that things were more frosty than with her brother. But her lack of enthusiasm didn’t go unmissed.

                “What is it?”

Sophie tried to brush it off, but Vin was like a dog with a bone, persistent and relentless.

                “Ok, Ok. He’s been really cool this week...” she told her friend about his distance and again struggled to fight back tears.

Vin was furious, “the bastard! I can’t believe this is because he’s busy! And you’ve done nothing wrong! I’ll kill him when I see him. Shall I call him?”