not going to even try to explain this to Sam; he’ll think I had one too many again. ‘At one point I might have played my guitar whilst everyone on the Zoom call downstairs sang along.’
‘So you’re an honorary girl now?’
‘I did help out with a clothes crisis.’
‘I don’t know what’s come over you; we need to get you back out with the lads. Mind you, it will make you an even better godfather to Carrie.’
I laugh. ‘I can be in touch with my feminine side. Wait a minute, godfather? Are you serious?’
‘Course, who else could we find to do the job? Only kidding – you’ll be the best.’
I’m feeling emotional now. ‘I will honestly look out for her to the best of my ability.’
‘I know you will.’
‘Speaking of looking out for people, I’m in demand. You know old Bertie, from Soho?’
‘Yes, great bloke. How’s he coping?’
‘Bit lonely I reckon on his own, but Sophia and her trusty team of volunteers are out delivering flyers so we can help people like him.’
‘That’s kind but …’
‘Wait, I have a message already.’ I look down at my WhatsApp.
Hey Jack, it was good to see you yesterday. Thanks for the offer of help. I found Sophia’s leaflet this morning in my letterbox. If you don’t find it a nuisance, it would be lovely if you don’t mind phoning occasionally. Be nice to hear a friendly voice. Thanks, Bertie
‘I have my first client,’ I say.
‘Client? What are you doing, consultancy on creating the best lockdown cocktails?’
‘No,’ I laugh, ‘although that’s not a bad idea. I’m phoning people who just want a chat, because they’re stuck in lockdown on their own. Bertie’s my first client but I reckon there’ll be more.’
‘You’ll be so good at it. Whose idea was that?’
‘Sophia’s.’
Sam’s silent for a moment. ‘She sounds quite something.’
‘Yes she really is. We’ve got some other ideas as well. Sophia’s going to pick up shopping for people who can’t go out and I was even thinking we could get a crowd of residents and Soho regulars together to do Zoom quiz nights.’
‘Great idea – count me in.’
‘As long as Carrie comes too. She might be able to help you with the answers.’
‘Think I might leave her in another room with Tina and have a night off.’
‘Getting to you, is it?’
‘Babies are lovely but exhausting. Anyway, Tina has a couple of nights off a week at the mo to chat to her old work friends on Zoom, so it would be nice for me to have a break too.’
‘Sounds a good idea.’
‘Anyway, what are you going to do about Sophia? Have you found out her last name yet?’
‘No, I don’t want to ask. I’ve got a better idea.’
‘Mysterious.’ There’s a loud wailing. ‘I’m going to have to go. Carrie’s due her next feed.’ He holds the phone up. ‘Can you hear your gorgeous niece summoning me?’
‘She’s starting as she means to go on.’
‘Yeah right, with us all wrapped around her little finger.’
Sam rushes off and I glance at the picture of me stuck on the fridge. I’m in front of the taverna in Agios Nikolaos. I look the picture of health and happiness; the tan suits my dark colouring. I expect to feel the familiar wash of complicated feelings swamp over me, but strangely they don’t.
I settle down to look at my WhatsApp, which is binging at the arrival of more messages by the minute. I can’t believe I was bored and not sure what to do with myself. This little lot is going to keep me busy.
I read the latest. Hi my name’s Derek. I know Sophia has kindly set up this support group. (Everyone seems to know Sophia, she’s that kind of girl.) I saw this flyer and wondered if any dog lovers out there could give me some advice. Benson, my Alsatian pup I adopted just before all this hoo-ha, is extremely bouncy and eating my whole flat during this lockdown (quite literally). Obviously I can walk him once a day but he’s driving me mad the rest of the time. Any dog lovers out there with some ideas, I’d be really grateful.
I smile to myself. That must be challenging – poor old Derek. A large bouncy dog shut in for most of the day is a bit of a disaster, to put it mildly. I start flicking through the messages; some woman called Anna suggests Derek could hide treats behind the sofa so Benson can try to find them. That’s not a bad