Soak Up The Sun

I'm only Me when I'm with You

May 2023

Holly smiled across at Sophie as they enjoyed an unusually chilly sunny day, for the time of year, at the Camden Lock. Sophie pushed more chips in her direction and she took them.

"You seem happy for once. You've been...different. I like it. You've been seeing me and mum...mum's...Sophie you don't get how happy mum is. You just drifted away but now it's like...you're back."

Sophie nodded.

"I am happy. I am different. And I am back. I'm just sorry I was gone so long."

Holly shrugged.

"That's alright. You're here now. Why this sudden change? Not that I'm complaining."

Sophie squeezed Holly's hand gratefully. They'd reconnected. There was still awkward moments and years of misunderstanding to make up. But they had some form of a relationship back. It was a start.

"You'll think I'm mad."

Holly laughed.

"That's a given. Go on." She half teased.

"I woke up one morning and I just knew what to do. My head was completely clear. I knew I had to call you and mum. I knew I had to quit my job. I knew I had to move here. I can't explain it."

Holly smiled at her.

"Well, whatever it was. I'm grateful."

Holly looked at her scrutinising her.

"OK. I've tried to be nice and not say it...but what the hell is the deal with the jacket?!"

Sophie laughed and shrugged.
She pulled the fleecy Parka around herself tightly inhaling a faded smell of cigarettes smoke.

"I don't know. I like it. I don't remember buying it but I like it. It's cosy."

Holly grimaced.

"It looks like it probably has fleas. Please wash it."

Before Sophie could retort her phone began to ring. The name Chief illuminated her screen.

She sighed and smiled.

"Duty calls. Look, I'll see you tonight for dinner? My place? Stay sexy and don't get murdered."

Holly chuckled and nodded as Sophie gave her the rest of her chips as she began to jog to her car.

She pulled up outside Noel Gallagher's house after 2 missed phonecalls on the way. Uh oh.

Sophie was about to knock when she found the door already open. She slipped her shoes off and looked at the absolute chaotic whirlwind of sheets of paper in various stages of scrunched up. This particular trail of chaos led to a harassed Noel Gallagher.

"Finally! What fucking time do you call this?"

Sophie sighed.

"You gave me the day off to be with my sister! So this better be good."

Noel hesitated.

"Did I?"

Sophie chucked a balled up piece of paper at the back of his head as he was still facing away from her.

"Yes. You did."

Noel turned to face her and froze. He scrutinised her. Looking her up and down. He then went behind her and lifted the hood of her jacket slightly.

She turned round to see Noel's face overcome with an unreadable expression. Shock? Fear?

"Are you OK?" She asked.