became clear to Sophia that Michael wanted someone to talk to. He could be found standing by himself usually, not getting involved with the other parents chatting among themselves. But one morning, Michael had arrived and invited her to have a coffee with him in the café in the high street.
At first, he had danced around the topic of his and Tanya’s relationship, as if afraid of getting too close to it, and Sophia had felt a bit bewildered by the whole thing, wondering what he was trying to get at, and if it had anything to do with Tanya’s disappearance from the playground. She hadn’t said anything though. She wanted Michael to tell her about what was going on only if he felt he wanted to. It hadn’t taken long for him to fully open up about it and, once he did, that had been the beginning of the end for the couple. After that, their meetings in the coffee shop were mostly focused around updates on Tanya and what she’d been getting up to behind Michael’s back.
It had gone from bad to worse for Michael as he tried to come to terms with the reality of it all, but Sophia had tried to be there for him as much as she possibly could. That had been over a year ago, and a lot of progress had been made since then.
‘Have you thought any more about the school reunion?’ Michael asked as he took another sip of tea. He eyed her over the rim of the mug.
‘No, not really,’ replied Sophia, her back to him as she turned the food down slightly. She’d told Michael about the invitation earlier in the week but wished she hadn’t now. He was badgering her incessantly and it was beginning to drive her mad, mostly because she hadn’t yet made up her mind about whether she would be attending or not. ‘I think it could be fun and it would be lovely to see some old faces if they decided to show up, but… Oh, I don’t know. School wasn’t exactly the best time for me.’
‘Everyone says your schooldays are the best days of your life but I don’t think it applies to everyone. Mine were shit too, but don’t you think it would be interesting to see how your old friends turned out? Find out whether any of them became famous or, I don’t know, became millionaires?’
Sophia laughed. ‘I suppose so, although I doubt, if any of them had become millionaires, they’d come back to little old Worthington Green for a school reunion. It’s hardly the place to be for the rich and famous.’
‘I still think you should go,’ Michael pressed. ‘We can go together, if you feel you want someone there with you? I don’t mind tagging along. I can be that plus one you mentioned.’
Sophia gave the vegetables a poke with a fork while she gave the whole thing some more thought.
It was kind of Michael to want to support her but he had no idea what had happened back then. It was more than simply going to a reunion and enjoying herself. It made her nervous and sent wings of panic beating in her chest. ‘Thanks for the offer, Michael. Just give me a little more time to think about it and I’ll let you know, okay?’
She didn’t want to tell him why she was so reluctant to say yes. The truth was, she was terrified of coming face-to-face with the past. The thought of bumping into her was enough to make Sophia want to shred the invitation to pieces. But then, on the other hand, it might be fun. It would be a night out, which was something she hadn’t had in a long time.
Sophia would be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about the girl who had helped shape some part of her younger years in the time that had passed; hadn’t wondered what she was up to, whether she was married or had any children. One time, Sophia had become so curious about the woman, she’d searched for her name on social media, just to see what the results would bring. It turned out the answer to that was nothing. No profiles, no pages. Zilch.
Once dinner was served, the four of them crowded around the small table and tucked in. Harry and Esther were delighted to be seated beside each other and, for the first time in a long time, Sophia was pleased to see her daughter actually eating some vegetables, Harry joining in too. Michael couldn’t compliment the food enough. She had to admit, she had done a good job. The chicken was beautifully prepared, the roast potatoes buttery and soft. She was pleased, and thrilled to be seated with her favourite people in the world.
Afterwards, nursing full stomachs, they moved back in front of the television until late afternoon, when, stretching his arms above his head, Michael announced it was time for them to leave. Sophia stood beside the front door as they put on their shoes and prepared to get going.
‘The pleasure was all mine,’ she smiled, giving Harry’s shoulder a little squeeze. Esther was there too, watching grumpily as Harry put on his coat and Michael zipped it up with ease.
‘And you’ll think some more about the reunion?’ urged Michael, turning to her as he opened the front door.
‘I promise.’ Sophia waved them off.
The following morning, she met up with Michael for coffee in their usual haunt. She spotted him huddled in the corner with a book in his hands, head dipped low as he read and occasionally sipping at his drink.
‘Sounds grizzly.’ She nodded at the book in his hands. ‘Don’t you ever fancy dipping into a soppy romance novel?’ She thought of the numerous romance reads that were stacked beside her bedside table back home. She had to admit, she’d gone a bit mad on them recently. She adored the sexual tension between hero and heroine and the inevitable ‘something’ that would keep them apart. She’d often found herself wishing for something like that in real life.
‘No, thank you. It’s all nonsense, isn’t it?’ Michael laughed as he cornered his page and Sophia tried not to wince at the barbaric action. Why did people do that? Why didn’t he just use a bloody bookmark? ‘Have you thought any more about the reunion?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know,’ she mumbled, hiding behind her mug. She was worried about telling people she was still here, living in town, having not achieved much in life at all. To her, being a mother, as tough as it often was, was a huge deal, but would her old friends look at it in the same away? Or would they snigger behind their hands at how little Sophia Good’s life was?
‘Oh, come on, Sophia!’ urged Michael. ‘It’ll be good fun. You don’t get out much, and neither do I. It’s the perfect opportunity. I’ll even hold your hand if you’re that nervous about it.’ He leant forward across the table, eyes fixed on her face. ‘You have nothing to worry about. It’s just a school reunion where you’ll see old faces, people will ask what you’ve been up to, and then you’ll probably all get smashed. Maybe even have a little boogie on the dance floor. Now there’s an offer you can’t turn down, surely?’
‘Oh, fine. You win.’ Sophia laughed and Michael punched the air in triumph. He was right though. Above everything else, it would be fun, and as for the other things she was worrying about? She would just have to face them if they happened, but the more she thought about it, the less likely it seemed that she would turn up. She was probably halfway across the world, sipping cocktails and living the high life. What on earth would she want to come back to Worthington Green for? ‘I’ll get in touch with Hannah,’ said Sophia. ‘She’s my babysitter, although I haven’t spoken to her in a while. I’ll see if she’ll look after Esther for the night.’
‘Do you think she’d mind looking after Harry too?’ asked Michael eagerly.
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t mind at all. She loves taking care of the little ones and she’s great with them, as long as they behave themselves, mind.’
‘Ask her and let me know. It doesn’t matter if not; I’m sure I could find someone myself.’
‘I
