‘Oh, he’s a good boy,’ her neighbour commented. ‘You can always leave him with me, Sophie. Such a good boy.’ The neighbour patted his head as William purred contentedly, looking almost regretfully at Sophie, who he knew would not feed him in the way he’d obviously become used to. Though, when they got back to the flat, he showed his affection by putting his paws on her chest and purring in her face.
After a short cuddle with the cat, Sophie went around the rooms, getting rid of everything that reminded her of Matt. She shoved it all into a black plastic bag. She wasn’t sure what she would do with the numerous gifts, photos and the sweatshirt of his that she’d slept in so many times, but she knew she didn’t want to see them right now. When she was done, she stuffed the bag in her wardrobe – she’d deal with that on a different day – as she reminisced about Alex. At least he’d given her one thing. He’d shown her that love after Matt was at least imaginable.
Sophie didn’t sleep well again that night. She had nightmares, with Alex and Vivienne and Matt all talking to her and frantically trying to tell her things. When she woke up the next day, she was sweating. Getting ready for work, she was glad that today there would be familiarity. After days of emotional turmoil, the thought of a quiet day in the office sounded wonderful.
On arriving there, Jonathan looked up at her with relief.
‘Thank God, Sophie. I can’t find anything in this office without you.’ Looking around his desk scattered with papers and files, she knew what her day would entail: helping her boss figure out everything that had happened since she been gone and filing it accordingly. Sophie was extremely grateful for the distraction.
Thankful for the stability of this wonderful job, she smiled broadly. ‘I’m so happy to be home.’
‘Well, I didn’t think you’d be so enthusiastic about all the work I’d have here, but if this is how going on holiday affects you, you should go more often.’ He smiled at her.
Sophie went into her office. There were already piles of files and a number of unopened letters on her desk. She surmised she would need to spend the morning opening them and responding. It wasn’t till just before lunchtime that Sophie pressed the button on her answering machine and took notes. She heard a familiar voice in amongst them.
‘Hello, Sophie. Testing, one, two, three. Oh, I do hate these machines.’ It was her gran, and the sound of her voice made her smile. ‘It was lovely to see you, dear. I just wanted to let you know. Come by any time. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion. I’m always here, apart from Thursdays when I go to bingo or Mondays when I take Mrs James her groceries. Housebound, you know, love. We all take it in turns around here.’
Sophie was grateful for the ease and familiarity of her grandmother’s life, though was a little frustrated that her gran had called her work number instead of her mobile.
The message continued. ‘Oh, yes, and by the way, I found that letter. You know you asked me about Villainous Vivienne? Well, I found it. Not sure if it’s anything you are interested in. It doesn’t say much. Should probably throw it out,’ she muttered, evidently talking to herself. ‘Anyway, let me know. If I don’t hear back from you, I’ll just get rid of it. Don’t need any more rubbish hanging about the house. Haven’t got a clue what I’ve got in half these drawers,’ she rambled on. ‘Okay, well, have a nice day, dear. Don’t forget to call your gran.’
Sophie pounced on the phone and dialled quickly.
Bessy didn’t answer right away, and when she finally did, on the last ring, she was panting. ‘Hello.’
‘Gran, it’s me.’
‘Me?’
‘Sophie.’
‘Oh, hello, love. You just caught me. I was getting the washing in. I think it’s going to rain, love. You haven’t got your washing out today, have you?’
Sophie cut her off. ‘Gran, I was ringing about the letter.’
‘The letter?’ Gran seemed confused on the other end. ‘What letter, dear?’
‘Grandad’s sister’s letter. Remember? From Vivienne during the war?’
‘Oh, that letter. I think I’ve thrown it away. I didn’t hear from you. Hang on, let me have a look around.’ There was a clang as she put the phone down on her telephone table, and the