Chapter Seven

A jaunt across the ocean and Sophie had touched down safely in Boston Logan International. She collected her bags and headed through to the arrival lounge. Her eyes scanned the crowd for two faces that she knew very well.

Then in a gap, she saw a short girl with brilliant brown hair and a tall, well built man in a tweed jacket. She grinned and made her way in that direction.

Faith looked round from talking to her dad and saw the face of Sophie Neveu walking in her direction.

"Sophie!" she called, "Sophie, par ici!"

Robert too looked up as he heard his daughter shout. His eyes locked onto Sophie's and he smiled. She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

"Hello!" said Sophie as she drew level with them.

"Sophie! Je suis si contente que tu sois de retour. Tu ne croiras pas combien j'ai à te dire! Tant de choses se sont passées à la maison et à l'école et..." Faith spoke in rapid French.

"How about we talk in English?" asked Robert. "You know, for those of us who aren't trilingual!"

Faith grinned, "Sorry Dad!"

Robert ruffled her hair affectionately, "How was the flight?" he asked.

"Oh, you know, long." She smiled, "I never thought I would say this, but it is good to be home!"

"We've missed you!" said Faith, hugging Sophie tightly.

Sophie chuckled and hugged her back, "I never would have guessed!"

"Welcome home, Sophie!" smiled Robert as he hugged her, planting a kiss on her cheek.

They headed out of the airport to the car and Robert helped to put Sophie's bags in the back of the car. Then Faith clambered into the back and Sophie joined Robert up front. It didn't take them long to reach Robert' house from the airport, and Sophie filled them in on what she had been up to while away. She had had a chance to reconnect with her family, including her brother. She had also explored a bit of Scotland while she had been up there. She even suggested that the three of them take a trip over there one summer.

They were driving past the University when Faith got a text on her phone.

Hermione in much need of girls night. Please can you come to mine this evening. Willow x

"Dad?" she called from the back seat.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking at her in the rear-view mirror.

"Can I go to a sleepover at Willow's tonight? Sounds like Hermione's dad is at it again and she wants to get away…"

"Sure. Will Willow's parents run you to school in the morning?"

Faith rolled her eyes and smiled, "Of course."

"Then you can go. It's nice to know that you are all there for each other!"

"Yeah, they are a great group of girls. I love them all!"

"Which one is Hermione?" asked Sophie.

"She's the British one, whose Mother married an American drunken idiot and is now too scared to leave him. She has a younger brother too."

Sophie looked at Robert.

"It never gets too bad. It's just Hermione doesn't like her step-dad and when he gets drunk, he gets…"

"Violent?"

Faith shook her head, "I've never heard Hermione say that. I just don't think she likes it. So, when he starts, she calls a girls night and we take it in turns hosting."

Sophie smiled, comforted by the fact that Hermione wasn't in any danger.

"Looks like it will just be you and me, tonight, Sophie." Smiled Robert.

Sophie smiled and gave Robert a look that Faith couldn't help but notice and she smiled to herself.

A few hours later, Sophie was driving Faith across town to Willow's house. Robert would have done it, but he was called into an emergency meeting with a student at the university.

"You like my dad, don't you Sophie?" Faith asked, out of the silence.

Sophie almost crashed into the car in front. "What makes you ask that?"

Faith rolled her eyes again, smiling. "C'mon. I've seen the way you look at him!"

Sophie smiled, "Is it really that obvious?"

Faith nodded, "He likes you too, you know?"

Sophie nodded, "Apparently, he's liked me in that way since we met in Paris all those years ago."

Faith shook her head, exasperated. "Honestly! No wonder my dad has been a bachelor all these years!"

Sophie laughed, "He's just slow to act on his feelings is all!"

Faith laughed and then she turned to face Sophie, "Just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"I know that you and my Dad will get together, and if you don't, I'll knock both your heads together!" she smiled, "But, please don't hurt him. He loves you Sophie and I know you love him too and you guys will be amazing together. Just, don't hurt him. Please."

Sophie pulled up in front of Willow's house and took Faith's hands in hers. "I could never do anything to hurt your dad. He has saved my life on more than one occasion. And if I hurt him, I'd hurt you and I couldn't do that. I love you too much!"

Faith smiled, "Then I give you guys my blessing, or whatever!"

Sophie smiled and hugged Faith tightly, "Merci, Faith. That means so much to me!"

Faith squeezed Sophie then pulled away. She opened the car door, "Have a good night!" she smiled as she got out of the car.

Sophie smiled, "You too! I'll see you tomorrow after school!"