My nerve endings prickle. There are voices coming from the kitchen. I cock my ear. There’s music playing, and it sounds like someone’s laughing. It must be Sophie. Has she let someone else into the house? I don’t think I’m very comfortable with that. No, I’m definitely not happy. In fact, my palms have begun to sweat. What if it’s her abusive partner who’s discovered where she is?
There’s another short burst of laughter. I know that voice. It sounds like…
I stride into the kitchen and throw open the door. Despite it being a bright day outside, the blinds are closed, and the lights are on. I realise that Sophie is still wary of anyone spotting her through the windows.
Right now, she’s leaning against the kitchen counter with a cup of tea, while Ryan and Sonny are seated at the kitchen table, their homework spread out before them. The radio’s playing some dance track while a DJ talks about tomorrow’s breakfast show. Sophie immediately straightens up when she sees me, her eyes wide and suddenly fearful.
‘Hi, Mum!’ Sonny waves. ‘Sophie’s helping us with our homework. She’s really good at it.’
‘Hello.’ I’m not sure what to make of this scene. ‘Why are you two home so early?’
Sonny rolls his eyes in an exact imitation of his brother. ‘It was a half day, Mum. Teacher training. You forgot.’
‘So how long have you been back?’
‘Ages,’ Sonny replies. ‘Sophie helped us make lunch.’
‘Uh, I hope that’s okay.’ She’s almost cowering. I hate to think that I’m the reason for her uneasiness.
‘Of course that’s okay.’ I smile, trying to put her at ease. ‘I’m grateful to you for helping them.’
‘Oh, I’m happy to do it. They’ve been telling me all about the regatta. Sounds great. I’d love to be able to sail. It sounds like such good fun.’
‘I could teach you, if you like?’ Ryan says, reddening.
I realise he might have a bit of a crush.
‘I’d love to take you up on that one day,’ she replies. ‘I didn’t realise you were a sailor.’
‘He’s really good,’ Sonny pipes up. ‘He used to win all his races.’
‘Used to?’ Sophie give Ryan a questioning look.
I walk over to the kettle, gasping for a cup of tea.
‘It’s just boiled,’ Sophie says.
‘Great. Dying for a cuppa. Do you want a top up?’
‘No, I’m fine thanks.’ She turns back to Ryan. ‘So, does that mean you aren’t racing tomorrow?’
Ryan’s face clouds over and he shakes his head.
‘That’s a shame. Why not?’
‘He doesn’t sail anymore,’ Sonny says.
‘Shut up, Sonny,’ Ryan mutters.
‘Hey!’ I turn to my eldest son. ‘Don’t talk to your brother like that.’
‘Why don’t you sail anymore?’ Sophie asks. ‘Sorry, don’t mean to be nosy. It’s just, if you’re so good at it, it seems a shame not to carry on.’
I wait for Ryan’s rude response. I can’t even mention sailing these days without him snapping my head off. But to my surprise, he slumps down in his chair and sighs. ‘I wish I was sailing tomorrow.’
I have to play it carefully now. Too much enthusiasm from me could put him off. I try to sound as casual as possible. ‘It’s not too late. I can get you entered if you like?’
‘Really?’
My heart swells at the hopeful light shining in his eyes.
‘Yes, of course.’
‘But I haven’t practised in ages.’
I check my watch. ‘There’s normally a Friday training session at four. Why don’t you go and get changed and join them. Then, if you feel up to it, you can ask if they can put your name down for the under twelves.’
‘Do you think?’
‘I just said so, didn’t I?’
‘Thanks, Mum, you’re the best!’ Ryan gets to his feet and races out of the room, his feet pounding up the stairs.
I’m the best? This is a Ryan I haven’t seen for months. How come it’s taken a virtual stranger to turn my sad and moody child into a boy who’s almost excited about life again? Offering Sophie some temporary shelter may just have been the best decision I ever made. I glance over to see her talking to Sonny about his science homework. He’s really listening to her, totally engaged. I shake my head in wonder. She’s a regular Mary Poppins.
Sophie and I are sitting in the lounge, with the blinds and curtains drawn, eating cheesy pasta off trays on our laps. The kids ate earlier, as Ryan was ravenous after he got home from training. Turns out one of the juniors got sick and had to pull out of the under twelves