There She Goes by M. B. Feeney

Author:M. B. Feeney [Feeney, M. B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-15T05:00:00+00:00

Freddie watched the two women as Sophie talked. There was a lack of emotion to her voice which made him think she’d been practicing what to say, but he could see how she felt in her eyes. He could see the hurt she’d endured at school, the stress from hiding it from her mum and family, and the relief when Joan let her stay in Brighton.

Her mum on the other hand couldn’t hide how she was feeling. Every word hurt her more than the last, especially when Sophie described what happened at school. Physical pain at hearing how her daughter didn’t want to bother her with the problems she was facing, causing Melissa to wrap her arms around herself.

When Sophie finally finished speaking, she sat on the sofa, looking down at her hands. She was hiding herself from her mother’s reaction.

“Sophie. Look at me.” Melissa got out of the chair and walked over to kneel in front of the girl. When Sophie looked up, her mum wrapped her arms around her and the pair of them sobbed. To give them privacy, Freddie stood up and went into the kitchen.

He could hear the murmuring of two voices as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialled the number of The Albatross Inn.

“Good afternoon. The Albatross Inn, how may I help you?”

“Joan, it’s me. Freddie.”

“Oh, thank God! How’s everything going over there? I’ve been on edge ever since you left.”

“Well, they’re talking. I can’t really judge how things will turn out though; I’m not much use.”

“You just being there is a huge support to Sophie. Don’t sell yourself short Freddie.”

“I’ll let you know more later. I thought you deserved to know what was going on.”

He ended the call and went back into the front room. Sophie and her mum were sat on the sofa side by side talking quietly.

“Mum, I didn’t get to introduce you to Freddie. He’s been a good friend to me for the last six months.”

“Nice to meet you.” Freddie held his hand out, but Melissa didn’t take it. She merely looked him up and down, suspicion clear in her eyes.

“This who you’ve been staying with? How did you meet?”

“No, I wasn’t staying with Freddie, we’re just friends mum. I’ve learned my lesson.”

All three of them knew what she meant by that, but none of them said anything.

“Where were you staying? Where even were you?”

“I can’t tell you that, but I was safe and well looked after.”

Freddie saw a muscle in Melissa’s jaw tense at Sophie’s words, but she didn’t push for more details.

“Are you planning on staying?” The older woman asked, her voice shaking slightly. It was clear she was worried this visit was a one off.

“Honestly, mum. I don’t know. I’ve changed since I’ve been away, not necessarily for the better, but I am different. It just wasn’t fair leaving you in the dark about where I was or why I left.”

“I know why, even before you came back. I found out about two weeks after you left.

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