Taming Sophie

C H A P T E R 3

Sophie carefully dialled the number and waited to hear the familiar voice answering, she didn't know what to expect, maybe her mother would be sad, or angry, or puzzled, but she would cry, it was the only thing Sophie could be certain about.

'Hello,'

'Hi mum, it's me, how are you?'

'Sophie, thank god you phoned, I've been worried sick.'

'Mum, has Sarah been round to see you?'

'Yes, and she's told me about this Clive fella, what are playing at? You can't just stay there, you have a life here, what about your job? Mr Hammond has just been on the phone, Sarah told him you were ill and he phoned to see if you were okay. Your father is not very happy about this, you don't even know this fella, we don't even know him.'

'Mum, I'm fine, and Clive is wonderful, I have a great job here, much better than old "Handy-Hammond" I'm happy, I'll be earning a lot more too. Why don't you come down and meet Clive, you'll like him.'

'Why don't you just get home, you can visit Clive until you get to know him and then move in with him, but your just too far away and moving too fast, love. We worry about you.'

'I know, but I'm fine, honest. I'll phone you again later in the week, but please let me try to make this work mum?'

' I'm not happy about it, your father wants you home what is he going to think if I tell him you said no?'

'Tell him, I'm just having a trial and that if it goes wrong, I'll come home. Tell him I will send home some money every month. Tell him I love him. And I love you too mum. I have to go now.'

'Okay, please take care Sophie, and make sure you phone me often.'

'I will, I promise.'

'See ya, love'

'Bye mum.'

Sophie placed the phone on the receiver, her tears were almost blinding her, but she had no one to hold, and she knew her mother was crying too and she couldn't hold her. She reached into her bag and lit a cigarette. When she had finished it, she would go and find something to wear for tonight. She didn't want Clive's friends to see her looking a mess, she had to look good. She made her way to the spare room where she had thrown her clothes and bags. On top of the bed was an envelope, Sophie opened the envelope to find a large sum of money and a note which read:

Dearest Sophie,

I thought you might like to go shopping for something new to wear tonight,

I would have told you this morning, but you looked too peaceful to waken.

I love you.

Clive.

Sophie carefully removed the money and counted it, there was £800. She had never spent that amount of money before, she couldn't spend all that on clothes. It must be a mistake, she would have to phone him to tell him. She dialled his office and told him about the money. He laughed, and told her to go and have fun. Sophie was shocked. She couldn't wait to go shopping. She would be able to go to all those 'posh' shops. The shops which she was never able to understand before. The shops which would charge £200 for a pair of trousers, which she could buy at another store for £20. She was going to buy something really nice, really respectable, really posh. She was going to be posh. She forgot how upset she was, she forgot about her mum, Sarah and Glasgow. She had made the right decision to stay. She would never look back, never.

She placed the bags of new clothes on the kitchen table and made herself a coffee. She couldn't wait to show Clive her new dress, and matching shoes. She was sure he would love them. She wanted everything to be 'perfect'.