After much persuasion, Jen had finally given in to Tilly over a trip to France and Jen had agreed that she would fly out with Tilly for a long weekend. That way, as Jen had pointed out, they had a little holiday together, but Tilly also got to spend some time alone with her friends.
When Tilly had send Sophie an email informing her of her news, and progress over the tasks she had set, she had been a bit surprised by Sophies response back. When Tilly had moved to London she had wanted a clean break, so whenever she was asked about her relationship history, Tilly had always been vague. She had told people that she had had a serious girlfriend back home, but that for various reason, it hadn't worked out. She had told no one the full story of Jen, not even Sophie.
As Tilly sat down at the hospital one lunchtime to email Sophie she couldn't stop smiling as she typed her news
From: Tilly_Evans1
To:Supersophie
Date: 23 August 2013 13.09
Bonjour sexy lady!
Hope you are coping well the stress of your hectic holiday itinerary? Which I imagine to be something along the lines of:
Wake up around 10.30.
Pull on bikini, havanas and ray bans and walk the short distance to the shaded veranda for some freshly brewed coffee and warm croissant prepared by the help. Maybe a small bowl of fresh fruit salad and some freshly squeezed fruit juice.
Then after a quick check of the gossip columns, it's a case of making the long walk to the sun lounger by the pool with your kindle and iPhone where you will spend the next 6 hours or so topping up that tan! So am I right? ;) I am of course insanely jealous, but very much looking forward to living your life in a couple of weeks time.
So you know how you set me those stupid tasks, well I'm actually doing really well on all of them... Especially number 5! the one about having LOTS of sex with a gorgeous woman! Eeeeeeeeek :) So remember how I told you I had a serious relationship back in Hollyoaks, only it didn't work out... well we kinda stumbled upon each other (long story but basically I have YOU to thank!). Anyway, Jen (thats her name) lives in London now... in fact she lives round the corner in Highbury and well...we got together. Oh Soph, I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am. Would you mind if Jen came to France with me for a bit. The first weekend? I really want you and Brad to meet her as I think you'll really like her. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE
Email back soon so we an look into getting the flights.
Tils x
Tilly sent the message and finished her lunch. She didn't have to wait long for a response, but it wasn't quiet what she had expected.
From: Supersophie
To: Tilly_Evans1
Date: 23 August 2013 13.15
Hey Tils,
Yeah your pretty much spot on with the itinerary... you left out the glass of chilled white wine at lunch and afternoon snooze. It's a hard life, but somebody has to do it. Seriously Tils, after working my arse off at Uni it's the least I deserve right ;) I mean we're not all gifted with your level of intelligence... some of us have to work hard to get good grades. My folks are heading back home tomorrow so I've invited my friend Ann-Sophie to come and keep me company. She's the sister of that French guy I had thing with a couple of years ago remember? Ditched him, but kept in touch with Ann as she's a scream.
OK Evans... Nice one on the books, the not working too hard and even getting drunk!...but are you sure you know what you are doing with this Jen? They do say you shouldn't go back!'
S x
Tilly didn't get what Sophie's problem was. She had spent the last two years constantly trying to set Tilly up with people, and now here Tilly was telling her closest uni friend how happy she was, and she gets a shitty response back.
From: Tilly_Evans1
To:Supersophie
Date: 23 August 2013 13.25
Wow! Thanks Soph. Way to go on the enthusiasm there. And there I was thinking you'd be happy for me!
Tilly was pissed off and after sending her short response she cleared up her lunch things and dropped them in a bin, as she had suddenly gone off her lunch so went back to work early.
A few hours later Tilly get a text message from Sophie
'I'm sorry Tills. Of course Jen is welcome here. The more the merrier huh! I'm sure I'll love her when I meet her. See you both in a few days. Bring some suncream. It's boiling over here and wouldn't want your delicate English rose skin getting frazzled now! Love you. S x'
Tilly still didn't understand why Sophie had reacted in that way to her news, but she was happy to put it to the back of her mind as she texted Jen to tell her it was all OK re her joining the holiday and to book her flights. sunshine here we come!
When they landed at the airport they had that instant holiday feeling you get as you depart the plane and the warm heat hits your skin.
"Feeeeeeeeel that heat" Jen had exclaimed as they two of them walked down the steps of the plane and across the tarmac into the airport building to wait for their bags.
"I know! It's it amazing." Tilly had beamed back at Jen, reaching down to grab her hand and give it a squeeze.
Once they had got their bags they made their way to the exit to find at taxi only to spot a man standing by the gate with a sign with Tillys name on it. Sophie must have organised a car to pick them! Jen and Tilly walked over and introduced themselves to their driver Philippe who took their bags and walked them to their car. The drive to Sophies house took around 20 mins during which time the two of them sat in the back of the car, with the windows open taking the sights and smells of the countryside as the car whizzed along. Eventually they turned down a dirt track and headed towards a huge house with an amazing swimming pool to the side, where Tilly and Jen spotted Sophie waving at them from her sunlounger.
"Oh my god Tilly. This place is amazing" Jen had said with her mouth in as she took in the view, the size of the house and grounds.
"I know!" Tilly had responded, the two of them sat there looking around, both in shock at just how beautiful it was. "Come on.." Tilly had said grabbing Jens hand, "...lets go meet Sophie". They jumped out of the car and thanks Philippe who said he would take their bags up to their room.
"TILLLLLLLS" Sophie screamed as she ran over to meet the two of them as they walked towards the pool. Jen watched as the two friends hugged each other and screamed some more "It's SOOOOOO good to see you babes" Sophie had added as she gave Tilly a kiss on the cheek and another hug. "You too Soph." Tilly had responded "This place is fucking amazing!" Sophie laughed at her friends reaction to her parents house. Sophies parents had owned the house since she was young and so they always spent their summers here, but she stilled loved seeing other peoples reaction to the place.
"Soph..." Tilly had said excitedly as she turned to look at Jen "This... this is Jen. Jen.. Sophie"
Jen smiled at the blonde bronzed young woman standing in front of her in the tiniest of bikinis "Hi Sophie. Really lovely to meet you at last. I've heard SO much about you... and thanks for letting me joining Tilly for a couple a days". Sophie lent over and gave Jen a kiss on both cheeks and smiled back "No problem Jen. The more the merrier." turning back to look at Tilly she added, "although unfortunately the gorgeous Brad isn't joining us anymore"
"Oh no! Tilly groaned "Why not? Is everything OK"
"Long story Tills, he was getting a bit heavy over the summer with me. Constantly on Skype, texting... like we were something more than we actually were!" Sophie linked her arm through Tilly's and started walking towards the house before adding "I'll tell you all about it later on. You two must be boiling in those clothes! Why don't I show you up to your rooms"
"Rooms?" Tilly had questioned confused why Sophie hadn't put her and Jen in the same room. Tilly turned to look at Jen confused. Jen shrugged her shoulders.
"Just kidding Tills" Sophie laughed as she saw the disappointment on her friends face "although I must say..." Sophie added turning to look at Jen "I still can't believe you've given up your nun lifestyle! Jen... after the barren spell this one went through for the past two years... I hope she has been making up for lost time!"
"SOPHIE!" Tilly screamed as she playfully slapped her friend on the bottom. Tilly looked at Jen who had remained quiet and gave her a reassuring smile. Jen smiled weakly back at Tilly as she watched the two friends walk slightly ahead of her. Jen couldn't put her finger on it... but there was something she didn't particularly like about Sophie. She looked at the young blonde woman, with her perfect body, all over tan, long slim legs... looked around at her amazing house... looked at the way Tilly and her were around each other...and Jen felt a wave of jealous flood over her body. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all!