Taming Sophie

CHAPTER 4

Sophie was first up again, she had to make breakfast for three now, she didn't mind, she still felt sorry for James, she had heard him crying at night when he was alone in the spare room. The sobbing reminded her of her mother, it went on until Sophie fell asleep. She never mentioned it, she didn't know if Clive heard it, she wouldn't ask. Clive was back at work today, James would probably mope around the house as usual in his own little world. He was like a little boy lost at the market. He would pace the floor then sit, then pace, then sit, then eat something and pace at the same time. Sophie would talk to him for a while, he seemed to enjoy that, it took his mind off things, especially after the funeral. He had been quite depressed after it. It took him almost a week to get over it, but Sophie and Clive would rather see him miserable in their house, than miserable on his own. He needed them, and they needed to help him.

'Fancy a cuppa, James?'

'You sit, I'll make it.' Said James, shocking Sophie. This was surely a sign that he was getting well.

Sophie sat and let him bring it into the sitting room for her. She picked up her magazine and lounged on the sofa. She was so happy, she never thought much about Glasgow or Sarah much now, she had her own exciting life. She adored Clive and she loved his friends, her friends. James appeared with two cups of coffee and had a packet of chocolate biscuits hanging from his teeth. Sophie giggled and reached to help him.

'Thank you, kind sir.'

'What are you reading?' He asked.

'Nothing much, just full of adverts for this and for that. It's all clothes and perfume really.'

James leaned forward, and clasped his hands together, his head was down and he looked troubled.

'Penny for them.' Asked Sophie with genuine concern.

'Pardon?' Asked James as he sat deep in thought.

'Your thoughts, what's wrong?'

'I was just wondering what you see in Clive, your young, pretty and so much to look forward to.'

'Well, he's lovely, kind, passionate and I adore him. Is that enough?' Sophie smiled.

'Is this the same Clive were talking about?' James appeared to snigger at this point.

'Surely, you must agree, he's absolutely lovely.' Sophie remarked in fun.

'You look like his last wife, Christina.' James' voice was sullen.

'He told me about it, it must have been awful to lose not only a wife, but a child.......'

'Child, what child? He asked immediately.

'Sammy, his daughter- in the accident.' Sophie felt confused at his ignorance.

James' face changed to that of a seriously puzzled expression, Sophie had obviously let the kittens out of the bag. James obviously didn't know as much as he thought he did. He must have been fishing, and she had gave him the first two chapters of Clive's personal life. How could she have been so easy. Perhaps it was a part of his life that Clive preferred to keep to himself. Just like James and Lisa with their problems. Sophie dropped the conversation there and headed for the kitchen, she felt as though she had betrayed Clive's trust, his generosity, and his love. James was still puzzled by her last comments. He sat back in the chair and sighed. He turned his head to the direction of the kitchen and attempted to raise his voice over that of the radio, playing in the background.

'How callous can he get? I can't believe this, he gets better or worse.'

'Sorry?' Sophie hurried to wash the cups and returned to the sitting room.