race, so Ryan managed to nab their spot. He’s on cloud nine, and I’m pretty sure it’s all down to Sophie. I managed to persuade him to have an early night so he’s fresh for the race tomorrow; he didn’t take too much convincing, as he was shattered from his time out on the lake.
Conversation between Sophie and I has been a little stilted so far. She said she was fine having her dinner in the attic, but I thought it would be weird with her up there and me down here, so I said she should come down. I also need to broach the subject of what she’s going to do next.
I chew my food slowly and try not to dwell on the silence of the room. I usually read or watch TV in the evenings, followed by an early night. It’s strange having company. ‘I don’t know what you said to Ryan earlier, but I haven’t seen him this happy in ages.’
‘Really?’ Sophie’s feet are pulled up under her as she delicately spears a broccoli floret with her fork and pops it into her mouth. ‘I didn’t do or say anything special. The three of us just chatted while they did their homework.’
‘Well, whatever you did, thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to have him actually talk to me without grunting.’
She shrugs. ‘He’s a teenager, I guess.’
‘Nope. He’s only eleven. Tall for his age though. And another thing, how did you get them to do their homework? They usually leave it until the last minute on Sunday evening.’
‘I don’t know. I was up in the attic and I heard the front door slam. I thought it was you so I came down. When I saw it was your children, I wasn’t sure what to do. But Sonny was really cute and friendly and asked what was for lunch. So I thought I’d make them something – hope that was okay? I couldn’t think of what to talk to them about at first, so I just asked about school. Ryan said he had some really hard maths homework. I offered to help him with it after lunch.’
‘Well, I’m grateful.’
‘Not as grateful as I am.’ Sophie looks down at her barely touched pasta and sets down her fork. ‘Actually, I’m not really very hungry. Do you mind if I…?’
‘No, that’s fine. Leave it if you don’t want it.’
‘Sorry. It’s a waste.’
‘No, it’s…’ I shake my head. I seem to have lost my appetite too. I put my tray on the coffee table. ‘Actually, Sophie, we should probably have a chat about what you want to do next.’
She gives a brief nod and stares down into her pasta bowl.
‘Have you managed to have a think about it?’
‘I don’t know.’ Her voice is small and wavery.
I feel like such a bitch for pushing her. But she can’t stay here indefinitely. Especially as I don’t even know what it is she’s running from. ‘Can you at least tell me what kind of trouble you’re in?’
‘It’s complicated. It’s better if I don’t tell you.’
I don’t like the sound of that. By helping her out, could I have put myself and the kids in danger? ‘Look, you know I’m taking Sonny and Ryan to the regatta tomorrow, so you’re welcome to stay here another day. And then it’s Sunday, so you may as well stay here for the weekend. But let’s work out a plan for Monday, okay? We’ll ring round a few shelters and get you fixed up with some proper help.’
Sophie nods again without looking up. ‘Thank you.’
I feel guilty for putting a timescale on this, but I can’t have her living with us permanently. ‘So you’re okay with me contacting a shelter?’
She shrugs.
‘I think it’s for the best.’
‘I don’t know. But you’ve been really kind letting me stay. There aren’t too many people like you in the world.’ Sophie’s tone suddenly turns bitter.
‘I’m sure there are.’
Her lip curls into a cynical sneer and she shakes her head. I notice her fists are clenched. ‘People are mainly horrible. And that’s me being nice about them.’
‘Well, hopefully your life will get better and you’ll meet some good people.’
‘I doubt it.’
A series of heavy thumps on the front door makes me sit up.
‘Are you expecting visitors?’ Sophie asks, her eyes wide.
‘No, I’m not. Unless… it could be my friend Tia, but she’s never thumped on the door like that.’
‘Don’t answer it!’ Sophie slides her tray off her lap and onto the