Chapter 10 #2
Sofia shook her head. ‘I get that you’re being kind, but he just didn’t fancy me. Not enough, anyway.’
‘What d’you mean, not enough?’ Luisa was like a dog with a bone. ‘So he did fancy you?’
‘I thought he did.’ Sofia recalled the moment Connor had lowered her to the ground. ‘There was this fleeting moment when I’d jumped from the train and he caught me, and he was looking at me, and I felt this connection. I honestly believed this was it. You know … love. The real deal.’
Luisa’s eyes were wide—mostly with horrified shock. ‘Holy cow, you have got it bad.’
‘But then the moment vanished and he disappeared, so it must’ve been my imagination.’
Luisa shook her head. ‘There has to be another reason.’
‘Maybe he already has a girlfriend.’ The idea was painful and depressing, but it was one that kept popping into her head. Did his heart already belong to another?
‘Only one way to find out.’ Luisa twisted to read the tube map on the wall. ‘Next stop, Wood Lane.’
‘Luisa, we’re not doing this.’
‘Why not?’
‘He’ll think I’m deranged, and besides, you’ve just got out of hospital. We need to go home so you can rest up.’
Luisa tugged on Sofia’s hand so hard they almost bumped noses.
‘Listen to me. I’ve spent weeks stuck in that clinical room, listening to machines beeping, people crying, and watching patients die from the same condition I have.
What I need is to live a little. I’m not stupid, it was touch-and-go this time, so don’t you dare tell me to take it easy.
Who knows how long before I’m ill again, so for the moment, while I’m feeling fine, we’re going to have some excitement.
’ She got to her feet. ‘And pursuing a potential love interest on behalf of my beautifully annoying sister is just the distraction I need. Have I made myself clear?’
Sofia picked up Luisa’s bag from the floor, she knew when to concede defeat.
‘Smart decision.’ Luisa headed for the nearest door, sliding past the other passengers.
‘Because unless you take a risk, you’ll never see him again, and you’ll be left wondering what might have been.
’ Reaching the exit, she rested her hands on Sofia’s shoulders.
‘This way you’ll know one way or the other. Agreed?’
As crazy at it sounded, her sister had a point. ‘Agreed.’
Who knew, maybe she wouldn’t feel the same way about him this time around? Perhaps her desire for love was fuelling her imagination and exaggerating her feelings. Maybe seeing him again wouldn’t have the same impact.
As they exited the station and followed the directions to the community centre, Luisa took Sofia’s hand. ‘When we get there, let me take the lead. This is my area of expertise.’
Sofia slowed her walking pace. ‘What area of expertise is that, exactly?’
‘I’m much better at assessing a man’s credentials than either you or Elena. I love you both dearly, but you’re clueless when it comes to relationships.’
‘Says the woman who goes through men like underwear.’
Luisa laughed, the effort causing her to catch her breath.
‘And for very good reason. They don’t measure up.
In many ways, if you get my drift.’ She wiggled her little finger, making Sofia smile.
‘Life is short, and for me that’s literal, not figurative, so I don’t have the patience for time-wasters.
I’ve become astute at working out who’s worth bothering with and who should be tossed out with the garbage. ’
Sofia had an image of Luisa interrogating Connor like Papi used to do in restaurants, questioning waiters as to their boyfriend suitability. ‘Please don’t embarrass me.’
Luisa patted Sofia’s hand. ‘Subtlety is my middle name.’
Sofia’s heart sped up as they approached the redbrick Victorian building, with its leaded windows and high-peaked roof, a stark contrast to the modern buildings either side. ‘This is it. We’re here.’
There was no way Sofia would have agreed to this outing if she’d had prior warning, but her sister had ambushed her.
She was fighting the urge to run. Supposing he didn’t remember her?
Or he ignored her? Or worse, he did recognise her, but he didn’t want anything to do with her.
Luisa was convinced this escapade would provide answers, but it could also to deepen Sofia’s heartbreak.
The large wooden door thudded shut behind them with a loud crash as they entered the building. So much for an unobtrusive entrance, the whole of London would know they’d arrived.
It was eerily quiet inside and very cold, like the place had its own weather system.
To the left was a small unstaffed reception area, and on the right was a noticeboard filled with outdated posters and sign-up sheets for various activities.
Leaflets were haphazardly scattered across the table, along with a box labelled ‘lost property’.
‘There’s no one here.’ Sofia tugged on Luisa’s arm. ‘Maybe we should leave. I feel like we’re trespassing.’
‘Don’t be daft, it’s a public building.’ Luisa headed for the inner door. ‘The doors wouldn’t be open if they didn’t want visitors. We might as well look around now we’re here.’ She yanked open the door and almost walked into a man entering from the other side. ‘Oh! You must be Connor.’
How Luisa knew it was Connor, Sofia had no idea. But when her sister glanced behind and winked, Sofia felt instant heat hit her cheeks.
So much for the impact having lessened. The air left her lungs, her legs wobbled, and she had to lean against the leaflet table to avoid fainting. What was wrong with her?
Her only consolation was that Connor appeared equally shocked. He jolted when he saw her and took an immediate step back. His expression switched from surprise, to joy, to anguish in a heartbeat, before settling into neutrality. ‘Sofia? This is a … surprise.’
She doubted that. He had that strained look of someone whose family had arranged a surprise party for him and invited all his ex-girlfriends along.
‘Hi, Connor.’ She gave a little wave and then dropped her hand self-consciously. ‘Is it okay for us to be here?’
‘Of course.’ He’d hesitated before answering, always a bad sign. ‘This is a community space, it’s open to everyone.’
‘It’s my fault.’ Luisa had watched their exchange with a delighted, calculating look. ‘When my sister told me about this place I insisted we visit. I’m Luisa.’
It took Connor a moment to drag his gaze away from Sofia. ‘Nice to meet you. I’m one of the volunteers here.’
‘So Sofia said.’ Luisa’s hand was behind her back, her thumb upwards. ‘I’m interested to find out what’s on offer. Art in particular. You have posters advertising classes.’
Connor ran a finger around the neck of his black T-shirt, like he needed air. ‘The art classes aren’t running at the moment, we’re short on volunteers.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame.’ Luisa pointed to the inner door. ‘Can we look around? If you’re not too busy.’
‘Err … sure, I guess I can show you around.’ He held the door open for them. ‘Through here is the main hall, we use this space for large groups, basketball, jumble sales, parties, that kind of stuff. Weekly Zumba classes have just started, if you like dancing.’
‘Oh, I love dancing,’ Luisa said, following him into the hall. ‘But nightclubs rather than village halls, and only when very drunk. I’m assuming you don’t run drunk Zumba classes?’
Sofia cringed. ‘My sister’s joking.’
Connor turned and smiled. ‘I got that.’
It was the first genuine smile she’d seen since that day on the train, and her stupid little heart flipped at the sight of it. Her stupid little heart also whimpered when his smile faded and he turned away. This man was adorable, but he might also be a health hazard.
‘We have a smaller room where we hold talking therapy sessions and a reading group,’ he said, opening the door to a windowless room.
It was soulless and painted beige, with scuff-marked walls from pre-existing posters and furniture.
‘We have a couple of counsellors who run drug recovery sessions, and a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but we’d like to introduce more activities for people dealing with mental health issues.
There’s high demand for support in the area and the local welfare team have a long waiting list.’
Luisa tilted her head inquisitively. ‘Is that something you get involved with, Connor?’
His face drained of colour. ‘No, I don’t have any qualifications in that area.’
Luisa raised her eyebrows at Sofia, before following him out of the room. ‘What’s your role here, then?’
Connor led them through the main hall. ‘I mainly fill in with sports activities and help with admin stuff. The manager’s in his eighties and his health issues prevent him coming down, so things have slipped a bit.’
Luisa glanced at Sofia. ‘And you’re trying to turn things around?’
‘As best I can.’ He stopped by a fire exit door.
‘That’s very noble of you, Connor. Kind. Altruistic, even.’
Sofia poked her sister in the ribs, Luisa was laying it on a bit thick. Evidenced by Connor’s weirded-out expression.
He pointed across the hall. ‘We have a kitchen on the other side of the building and a café, but it’s not open today.’
Luisa nodded. ‘No one to run it?’
‘Unfortunately not.’ He opened the fire door and stepped outside.
‘We’re advertising for more volunteers, so hopefully people will come forward.
This is the courtyard. We run twice-weekly walking football sessions out here.
We get a good turnout for that. The local GP surgeries refer patients to us who’d benefit from improving their fitness. ’
The outside area was as dull as inside, bare cracked fencing panels ran the perimeter with rusty wire mesh above, and not a plant in sight.
Luisa headed for a wooden bench and sat down, her breathing shallow. ‘It all sounds very impressive, Connor. Although the place is looking a little unloved, if you don’t mind me saying.’
Sofia glared at her sister. ‘Luisa.’
‘It’s okay, she’s right.’ Connor shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. ‘We don’t have the resources to do everything we’d like. The space needs a makeover, but until we get more volunteers we can’t attract more hirers, and without income we can’t do the work.’
Luisa rubbed her chest. ‘Then it’s your lucky day, Connor, because I’m currently on the lookout for an activity to occupy my brain and stop me from overthinking.
I have Cystic Fibrosis, which is a physical condition rather than a mental one, but still depressing as hell.
My wonderful sister here does a fabulous job looking after me, and I’m eternally grateful, but I’m hard work, even when I’m not ill, so an activity would be good for me … and her.’
Sofia crouched next to her sister. ‘Luisa, you’ve just got out of hospital.’
‘Thanks for reminding me.’ Luisa rolled her eyes.
‘And as a result of lying on my arse for the last three weeks my lung function has deteriorated. The doctors recommended light exercise to improve my breathing, and as I loathe exercise with a passion, I’m thinking a spot of painting might be the answer. ’
Connor looked puzzled. ‘Painting?’
‘I’m an artist.’ Luisa smiled at him. ‘And this place could definitely do with a lick of paint. Maybe even a couple of murals to liven things up. Interested?’
Connor looked between the sisters. ‘Only if you’re sure? We can’t pay you, but we can cover materials. And if you need to stop because of your health, that’s fine. Whatever you need.’
‘That’s very understanding of you, Connor. Isn’t he a sweetheart, Sofia?’
Sofia ignored the mischievous glint in her sister’s eye. ‘Luisa, that’s a big undertaking, and you haven’t been well. It’ll take time to rebuild your strength.’
‘Which is why you’re going to help me.’ The glint in Luisa’s eye exploded into full-blown shooting stars, lighting up her face with scheming joy.
Sofia blinked. ‘I am?’
‘My sister’s between jobs at the moment,’ Luisa said to Connor. ‘My fault entirely, I’m a full-time occupation. She’s amazing, by the way. I’m guessing you’d worked that one out for yourself?’
Phrasing it as a question left the poor man with no option but to confirm. ‘I had, yes.’
His voice was soft and low, and it was impossible to read any meaning behind his words. Sofia had made that mistake before, she wasn’t foolish enough to be hoodwinked a second time.
‘Thought as much.’ Leaning on Sofia, Luisa stood up.
‘This is a perfect solution for everyone. The community centre gets a makeover, you get some extra volunteer support, and I get to splash paint around all day.’ There was no denying her sister looked genuinely happy about the arrangement.
Maybe a project would be good for her, even if it was meddling in Sofia’s love life.
Sofia realised Connor was watching her. ‘What about you, Sofia, what do you get out of this?’
‘Me?’ Apart from seeing you every day? ‘I guess I’m about to find out.’