After Sophie had settled her things in the spare room she went into the kitchen where Rosie was waiting. Her sister had made a brew for them at the table. Sophie had to admit that Rosie's flat wasn't bad. In fact it was bloody impressive. She had clearly made some money as the flat screen in the front room could attest.
Rosie was flipping thru a gossip rag just looking over the pictures. Sophie slipped into the seat opposite and sipped at her tea. She held back a grimace out of kindness. Rosie never could make a decent cup of tea. Her sister looked up. "Good?" Rosie asked. Sophie just nodded, trying her best smile. "See? I have learned a few things here in London" Rosie proclaimed. "Look at that! Let me get you a sticker" Sophie cracked good-naturedly. The sisters had always liked to tease each other. Something's never changed. Rosie just laughed and went back to her magazine.
"Yeah well at least I didn't try to take on Eileen Grimshaw! Still can't believe that," Rosie jeered back. "You're lucky you don't have a black eye. I remember she gave me a going over about taking too much time in the bathroom that made me shake" Rosie continued. "Just keep rubbing it in why don't you?" Sophie stood up and took her cup to the sink. "Well I'm glad you let go of that Jenna" Rosie added. "You can do way better Sophie" she tried to reassure.
Sophie suddenly found the floor to be very interesting. Despite her sister's words, she wasn't so sure. It was a rare occasion when Sophie looked in the mirror and was satisfied with her appearance. Her self-confidence was not high. Growing up with Rosie as your sister didn't help. When they walked down the street together, she knew who everyone was looking at. In fact it was only her girlfriends who had ever made her feel desirable at all. And even then she had to admit that it was difficult.
Jenna and Sophie had been a slow burn. Sophie had been the best friend she could be. Helping Jenna with realizing her true self. Going out on dates in a dead grown up way at The Bistro or in town. But the age difference did matter even though they tried to pretend it didn't summat. They were 10 years apart and it showed. Jenna had never believed that Sophie was truly interested. Sophie always had to be reassuring to Jenna that she fit in as a lesbian, and with a younger woman. It got tiring after awhile.
"Sophie! Hello! Here!" Rosie waved her hands in front of Sophie's face. "Where'd you go?!" Rosie demanded. Sophie could kill her right now. She couldn't look her sister in the eyes as she sighed. Her voice low she admitted, "I was thinking about Jenna."
Her sister sighed. "Sophie! C'mon how many girlfriends have you had?" Rosie asked. "You know how many!" Sophie replied. "Listen to me little sis. You have been a relationship girl. Howse that worked out for you?" she wound herself up. Rosie was now talking at a fevered pitch. She'd clearly been meaning to say this for a long time. "Maybe you need to just date a couple of different girls. Look around. Taste the options!" Rosie proselytized. "Rosie! I can't be that way" Sophie rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying be a slapper like me" she clarified. "Just look around and for god's sake Soph get some, I mean how long has it been?" Rosie asked. Sophie kept a tight lip. She stuck with the strategy of saying nothing; perhaps Rosie would get bored and move on.
"Alright I know how it is. Perhaps something a little stronger for this convo," Rosie said. She walked over to a cabinet and plucked two glasses and some voddy that she placed on the table. She put a glass in front of Sophie and poured. "I know how to get you to open up eh?" Rosie smiled. Sophie considered this. She was on vacation after all. It would be rude not to take it. Plus it looked like Rosie wasn't going to take no for an answer anyway. She shrugged and then chucked the liquid down her throat. Her sister's mouth dropped open in surprise. Sophie loved shocking her sister. Too often it was the other way around between them.
After two more rounds, Sophie's head felt light and dizzy. She also had a severe case of the giggles. "SO Sophie. How long has it been?" Rosie pushed. "Well sis, actually, it's different for lesbians. There's a so many different…um…options. Jenna wasn't really comfortable yet for that step…" Sophie gobbed. Rosie held up her hand to stop her. "Wait! So you never slept with Jenna?" Rosie asked unbelievably. "Like I said! It's just different…" Sophie wished god would just make this convo end. "No way! But you did go down on her right?" Rosie shamelessly shouted. "I'm taking away your L Word DVDs" Sophie laughed.
Rosie's phone beeped as Sophie stood up to clear the glasses away. Rosie smiled widely then went back to her magazine. "So what you grinning about?" Sophie inquired. "There's something I forgot to tell you. Someone else is joining us tonight" Rosie grinned. "Who?" Sophie asked worriedly. What was her sister up to? Sometimes with Rosie you never knew. "Jason Grimshaw" she said in a sing-songy voice. "Really?" Sophie exclaimed. No wonder her sister was on cloud nine. "Yes. He's visiting his brother and he wanted to see me while he's here" Rosie explained. "I just didn't know that you two still saw each other," Sophie said as she wriggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Oi! Enough of that!" Rosie smacked her arm playfully.
Rosie stood up tossing the gossip rag over her shoulder. "Well must get ready! We've only got three hours!" Rosie sighed as she pushed her younger sister into the bathroom. "I don't know if I can do this!" Sophie huffed. "Come on! I'll make you gorgeous" Rosie pushed. "Whatever!" Sophie gave in.