Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
SOFIA
It was the smell Sofia hated more than anything, that heady mix of toxic cleaning products and antiseptic, attempting to cover the aroma of failing health.
The Royal Brompton was better than most, with its reputation for being at the forefront of specialist research for heart and lung disease.
The historic building was peppered with modern technology and flashes of medical genius, and yet it was still a depressing clinical environment.
The family had endured enough health centres over the years to develop an acute aversion to visiting such institutions.
It was a comfort to know Luisa was in good hands, but the sooner they could leave, the better.
‘What’s taking so long?’ Luisa flopped onto the narrow hospital bed and kicked her feet up. ‘I need to escape before they change their minds again.’
‘We’re waiting on the pharmacy.’ Sofia checked her phone for notifications.
‘They’re packing up your meds now. Hopefully, it won’t be long.
This time tomorrow you’ll be home and eating home-cooked food and painting again.
’ She turned the page on the colouring book, her shock levels increasing with each new word.
‘I still can’t believe Elena bought you this. It’s so …’
‘Rude?’ Luisa laughed. ‘That’s why I like it. My favourite word is—’
‘I can tell which one it is.’ Sofia held up the brightly coloured expletive.
Luisa grinned. ‘What gave it away?’
‘The abundance of pink hearts.’
‘I like the juxtaposition.’ Luisa rolled onto her side. ‘By the way, I heard from Papi last night.’
‘You did?’ Sofia snapped the book shut. ‘What did he say? Where was he? Where’s he been all this time?’
‘He’s been off-grid in Medellin with Uncle Roberto meeting with a potential buyer for the farm. They’ve been trekking through the jungle on horseback. They didn’t see another person for days, apparently. They had to hunt for their dinner and ran out of fresh water at one point.’
‘How very adventurous of him.’ Sofia tried and failed not to feel disgruntled. ‘It’s dangerous territory out there. Apart from the harsh terrain, there are drug gangs to contend with. Supposing something happened to him?’
Luisa shrugged as she inspected her flaky fingernails. ‘He can take care of himself.’
‘That’s debatable.’ Sofia tucked the colouring book inside Luisa’s hessian rucksack, purchased during their last visit to Cartagena before their mum had died. ‘What did he say when you told him you were in hospital?’
Luisa looked away. ‘I didn’t tell him.’
‘Why ever not?’
‘Because then he’d feel like crap.’ Luisa crossed her legs, sounding annoyed. ‘And I don’t want to add to his pain. Let him conclude his business dealings, or whatever he’s doing, and then hopefully he’ll come home and be Papi again.’
Sofia went over to the bed. ‘Luisa, he needs to know how ill you’ve been. You should’ve told him.’
‘Oh, like you told me you’d been fired?’
Sofia took a step back. ‘You know about that?’
‘Flinch all you want, Sofia Romero, but the truth works both ways.’ Luisa adopted her sulkiest pose.
Sofia sagged against the bed. ‘How did you find out?’
‘Credit me with some intellect. You’ve been visiting me during the day and changing the subject when I ask about work. It didn’t take a genius to realise you’d been fired.’
So much for protecting her sister. ‘I didn’t want you worrying.’
‘Or feeling guilty. That’s the real reason. You were fired because of me, weren’t you?’
‘It wasn’t because of you—’
‘Who was it then, Father Christmas?’ Luisa’s raised voice caused a passing nurse to look in, moving on when Sofia reassured her there was nothing to be alarmed about.
Sofia reached for Luisa’s hand. ‘No one made me do it. It was my choice to put you ahead of work.’
Luisa pulled her hand away. ‘I’m too needy, that’s what you and Elena tell me.’
‘We’ve never called you needy.’ At least, she didn’t think they had.
She experienced a sudden pang of guilt. ‘But you do need family around to support you when you’re ill.
With Mum gone and Papi away, it’s our responsibility to look after you.
You’ll always come first, and there’s nothing you can say that will make us act otherwise. ’
Luisa pouted. ‘I don’t need protecting.’
‘I know, and I’m sorry. I was just delaying telling you until you were feeling stronger.’
Luisa folded her slim arms, large purple bruises visible beneath her vest-top. She still looked incredibly fragile. ‘I hate causing so much angst.’
‘Unemployment’s not so bad,’ Sofia said, searching for a positive. ‘I’ve enjoyed spending time at home. You know me and household chores.’ She tried for a smile, but Luisa wasn’t easily won over. ‘And I’m appealing my dismissal, so who knows, they might reverse their decision.’
Luisa hugged a pillow. ‘I bet the house is ridiculously clean, all the cushions are puffed up, and you’ve relabelled the pasta jars.’
Sofia smiled. ‘Busted.’
‘You better not have tidied up my studio?’
‘As if.’ Sofia checked her phone when it pinged. ‘Your meds are done. Ready to break out of here?’
Luisa scrambled off the bed. ‘At last!’
As Luisa skidded around the corridor in her socks, thanking the staff and hugging nurses, Sofia packed up Luisa’s things.
Despite being told the prescription was ready, it was still another hour before they left the hospital and headed for South Kensington tube station.
Luisa slid her arm through Sofia’s. ‘So, what have I missed? Fill me in on the gossip. Have you met any hot men I need to know about?’
Sofia sighed. ‘Just the one.’
Luisa laughed, and then spotted the mournful expression on her sister’s face. ‘Oh my God, you’re not joking.’ She tugged on Sofia’s arm. ‘Bloody hell! Tell me.’
‘Nothing much to tell.’ Sofia hadn’t planned on telling anyone about Connor, but maybe sharing her tragic encounter might help her recover, as she’d done a lousy job so far trying to shrug off the humiliation.
‘There was this man I saw on the train each morning I liked the look of, but he obviously didn’t feel the same way.
’ They headed down the steps towards the turnstiles, Sofia supporting Luisa’s weight.
‘How do you know he didn’t feel the same way? Did you talk to him?’
‘Watch your step.’ Sofia waited until a harassed man had bundled past before continuing. ‘Yes, I talked to him. He helped me when the train broke down, and we spent a bit of time together.’
Luisa waited until they’d found seats on the platform before resuming her interrogation. ‘And? Come on, don’t leave me hanging.’
‘And … he was lovely.’ Sofia cast her mind back, remembering the kindness in his brown eyes when he’d first approached her and rescued her photo frame from the floor.
‘A bit younger than me. Kind of shy, and funny, in a gentle way. I felt something I’d never experienced before, like my mind was screaming at me, This one.
This is him. You’ve found him. … Crazy, huh? ’
‘Completely bonkers.’ Luisa grinned. ‘But also incredibly romantic, which isn’t my thing, but I totally accept it’s a dealbreaker for you.
You’re looking for a deep connection, someone you can be all lovey-dovey with.
And why not? If we were all the same then we’d be chasing after the same guy, and think how awkward that would be, especially as they’d choose you every time, and then we’d be angry at you for not sharing, and we’d argue and fall out, and as sisters we need to stick together. ’
Sofia laughed. ‘Daft thing.’ The train pulled into the station, the screech of brakes painful. ‘But he didn’t choose me, did he?’
She helped Luisa onto the train and searched for a vacant seat. The hospital wristband on Luisa’s arm caught the notice of a woman, who vacated her seat. Thanking her, Sofia ensured Luisa was settled before leaning against the window, tucking Luisa’s rucksack under her.
Her sister looked ponderous, her mind calculating a cunning plan. ‘I need more details, so I can deduce if this man’s worth pursuing.’
Sofia hoped the train noise would mask their conversation. ‘Like I said, we chatted for a while. He helped me with my stuff and loaned me his trainers, so I could walk on the gravel.’
‘Thoughtful.’
‘It was, but then we got to the station and … nothing. He seemed to withdraw, like he couldn’t get away fast enough. That was it, he was gone.’
Luisa frowned. ‘He didn’t ask for your phone number? Socials? Any contact information?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Puzzling.’ Luisa tapped her lower lip, the back of her hand covered in a large plaster from the cannula removal. ‘Did you at least get his name?’
‘His name’s Connor.’ She rested her head against the glass, trying to hold onto the fleeting memory of that day. ‘He volunteers at the community centre near White City station, that’s all I know.’
‘Should be enough to track him down.’ Luisa searched the internet on her phone, her long hair masking her face. ‘Here it is, we can get off at Wood Lane station. It’s only a short walk, we can be there in seven minutes.’
It took Sofia a moment to realise what Luisa was suggesting. ‘We’re not going to the community centre, Luisa.’
‘Why not?’
‘Weren’t you listening?’ Sofia leaned closer, her voice a hushed whisper. ‘He didn’t feel the same way. I’m not going to embarrass myself chasing after a man who’s not interested. I have some pride.’
Luisa tucked her hair behind her ears. She looked animated, something that had been absent lately.
‘There’s no way he’s not interested, not unless there’s something seriously wrong with him.
You’re the hottest woman I know. Look at you, you make Jennifer Lopez look positively dreary.
You’re smart, kind, and sweet. You’re even funny …
although not in my league, obviously, but you have your moments.
There’s no way this man’s not interested, not unless he’s gay …
but even then I know several gay men who still would. ’