3

*Sophia's POV*

A few days later, I was working at the cafe. It was a Thursday, which meant that it was busy with a local photography group that came in to have a drink and discuss their work. For this reason, I usually looked forward to Thursday’s. The group would often show me the pictures they’d taken that week, talking me through how they’d captured a certain angle or light. 

I was in the middle of appreciating a particularly gorgeous sunset image, when I heard the tinkle of the bell that sounded whenever the cafe door was opened. I quickly gave the photograph back to the group and made my way to the counter. 

A man approached, although it was impossible to know what he looked like. His figure was imposing, but his features were concealed by sunglasses, a scarf and hood. 

I looked at him nervously, my image reflected back at me in the lenses of the dark glasses. “What can I get you?” 

His voice was muffled by the scarf wrapped tightly around his face, but I managed to make out a gruff response. “Black coffee.” 

“Would you like that to go or are you sitting in?” I wasn’t sure what answer I would prefer. Fear wanted him to go. Curiosity wanted him to stay.

“To go.” 

The more I heard him speak, the more he sounded familiar. Why did I know that voice? I nodded and went to the machine to prepare his drink. Moments later I presented him with the Styrofoam cup, steam emanating from the flimsy plastic top.

“£1.50” I said. 

The man took out a five-pound note from his wallet. I now noticed he was wearing gloves. I held out my hand to take the money, but he ignored it, instead placing it on the counter. I picked it up and produced his change from the register, holding it out, he seemed to hesitate. Something about him was familiar, but I wasn’t sure why. 

“Keep it.” He muttered. 

I almost called after him to ask who he was, but that felt stupid. Within another moment, he’d picked up his coffee and was gone. I dropped the change into the tip jar, and contemplated the encounter. I briefly wondered if it was someone to do with Danny, but for some reason, that didn’t fit. 

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my name being called by Mary. 

“Sophia, while it’s quiet, can I have a word?” 

The tone of her voice told me this was nothing good. I followed her into the back and took the seat she gestured to. 

Her brow was furrowed, the tell-tale signs of stress evident on her tawny coloured face. 

“Listen Sophia, you will know that business hasn’t been great.” 

It was true, things had been a little slow lately. What did this have to do with her though? Surely Mary didn’t think she’d been chasing custom away?

“As a result, I’m not bringing in enough to pay everyone.” She hesitated. 

Fuck. Now I knew where this was going.

“I want to tell you, you’re a great worker. Truly, you are. But I’m going to have to let you go. I promise to write you a great reference.”

Despair settled low in my belly. “Mary, I can’t lose this job...it’s my main one. I need to be able to pay my rent, I need to get my brother back…” 

She looked genuinely remorseful. “I know love. And I’m so sorry, if I could keep you, I would. But me and Bill are going to have to run it on our own to make ends meet.”

A lump began to form in my throat, and I tried to push it down. I didn’t like crying. Let alone in front of others. 

“I’ll make you a cup of tea. Take a few minutes here.”

I watched her get up and move away. I knew she wouldn’t be doing this to me unless she absolutely had to. She had been kind to me, giving me the job despite my lack of experience. 

I checked my phone. Danny had left me several messages since Sunday. I hadn’t replied to a single one. Now I contemplated if I would be forced to go back there, despite my reservations about Danny. If I couldn’t get another job quickly, I might not have a choice but to follow through with the commission. I bit my nails anxiously wondering if he would be angry with me for my radio silence. 

Another message came through, but it wasn’t from Danny. 

-Hey sis, Terry let me borrow his phone so I could show you my report card from school. Almost as clever as you now!!!

I opened up the picture attachment to see an array of C’s and B’s throughout the subjects, Jack's boyish face grinning next to it. This was massive for Jack. He’d been bottom of his class for a while. I’d had a long with him about how he needed to try harder. The better he did, the more likely we could get decent jobs and support each other. My heart swelled with pride and longing to be able to see him. 

I quickly typed a reply, knowing Terry, Jack’s current foster parent, wouldn’t allow him to use the phone for long. 

-Well done sprog!! I’ll try and come and see you real soon so we can celebrate. I’ll call the social worker to set up a meeting, okay?

Seconds later the response came through.

-Nice one sis. p.s stop calling me sprog!!!

I couldn’t help but laugh. He was growing up now, I should probably drop the pet name. It was unlikely though. 

Putting my phone away, I inhaled a large breath. I had to get him out. I had to do whatever it took.

At the end of the day after we’d locked up, Mary came over to me with an envelope. 

“Here love. It’s the money from the tip jar and a bit extra. To say thank you and sorry about everything.” 

I took the envelope and bit my lip, trying to steady myself. I would miss Mary. My life felt like a constant whirlwind of becoming close to people, and then losing them again just as quickly. 

“Thanks, Mary.” I managed. 

Without warning, she pulled me into a hug. “Come and visit whenever, alright love? There’s always a cup of tea and a sarnie here for you, on the house.” Her eyes looked glassy, and I knew she meant it. 

I returned the hug, unable to say anything else. After I left, I checked the envelope. £100. Likely more than she could really afford to give me. 

As I started in the direction of my flat, a figure on the path ahead came into view. It was Danny. I stopped dead. Was he here to berate me for not replying to his messages? Maybe he’d managed to find out where I work and had planned to accost me.  However, as he started to walk towards me, I could see there was an element of concern on his face. 

“Sophia? What are you doing here?” 

Maybe he hadn’t planned this. It seemed like a big coincidence though. 

“I work...I mean…” I was tripping over my words. “I used to work at a cafe round the corner. I’ve just been let go.”

“I’m sorry about that.” He appeared genuine. 

I narrowed my eyes slightly. “What are you doing here?”

“We have a potential new client in this area. I was coming to discuss the terms of the contract.” 

His answer seemed a little rehearsed, but I didn’t have the confidence to question him. 

He tilted his head to one side and moved a little closer. “So, how come I haven’t heard from you?”

My lips parted, waiting for an appropriate lie to come out of them. But I could think of nothing. Something told me I needed to be honest anyway. I dropped my gaze and shifted uncomfortably, playing with the strap of my bag. 

I was startled by the feeling of warm fingers lifting my chin, forcing me to look into the cobalt eyes of the man in front of me. 

“Tell me what’s worried you, Sophia.” His voice was gentle and soothing. 

After such an upsetting day with losing my job, I couldn’t help but be taken in. I so desperately wanted someone to soothe me.

“It’s just...Danny, I don’t want to offend you. I really don’t, but I just got the feeling…” I paused, his fingers still on my chin distracting me from being able to string a sentence together. “...I just got the feeling that maybe your work isn’t all together…” 

“Legal,” he finished for me, one eyebrow quirked. 

I nodded, and he finally let go of my chin. 

Studying me for a moment, he seemed to decide something. “The truth is Sophia, not all of it is. However, I can promise you that everything I do is for the greater good. As for you personally, you have nothing to fear. I promise that you will not come to any harm. I won’t allow it.”

There was something about his words that made me ache with longing. The desire to feel protected and looked after was one that had been with me for as long as I could remember. Could Danny be the person to offer me this? After all, he’d admitted to me now that not everything he did was legitimate. He was trusting me with this information, knowing there was a chance I could tell the police. Surely, I should trust him in return?

“Okay. I’ll continue with the painting.” 

He beamed at me. “That makes me very happy.” Looking around, he asked me, “do you live around here?”

“Sort of. About a 15-minute walk.” I gestured in the direction I meant. 

“I’ve got some time. Are you happy for me to walk you home? I know this area isn’t great.”

I laughed dryly. “No, it isn’t, but I have to walk around a lot on my own.”

“Not today,” he quipped. “And anyway, you haven’t told me about what happened with the job.”

I resolved to let him walk with me, secretly glad of the company. I explained about the cafe, and he listened attentively. 

After I had finished, he expressed his apologies again. “You know, I might be able to find you another job.” 

I glanced at him and raised my eyebrows. Sensing my thoughts, he laughed. “Don’t worry. I don’t mean anything dodgy. Something legit.” 

“As long as it’s legit...I would be grateful.” I needed all the help I could get right now. 

“So, when are you coming over to paint again?” 

I shrugged my shoulders. “Now I’ve lost one of my jobs, I have more time. At least until I get another one. I could do it tomorrow before I have my shift at the pub.”

He grinned at me broadly. “Great. I’ll make sure I practice my most handsome expression.” Danny did one of his signature winks, and my cheeks reddened a little. 

We weren’t far from my flat now, and I could see Danny looking at the surroundings distastefully. “I don’t like you being in this area Sophia. A lot of bad people live here.” His eyes appeared to dart in different directions, as if he was expecting us to be attacked at any given moment. 

I appreciated concern, but there was nothing I could do. “It’s the hand I’ve been dealt. I just have to get on with it.” 

He stopped dead at my words, and I wondered if I’d said something to upset him. 

“Are you always so accepting of the crap you have to put up with?” 

I was a little shocked by the bluntness of his question. This was my life we were talking about. 

I straightened my shoulders and raised my chin. “Wallowing in self-pity gets you nowhere in life. I learnt that the hard way. I only have myself to rely on. I just have to hope things will eventually get better.” 

He moved towards me, closing the distance between us. Part of me wanted to step back. Part of me didn’t. 

I watched his hand move from his pocket, and make its way up towards my face. Pushing my hair behind my ear, I wondered if he was going to kiss me. 

“I hope you will come to rely on me,” he whispered. 

I stilled, waiting for him to make the next move. But after staring into my eyes for a few moments longer, he moved away. 

“Come on. Let’s get you home.”