Sophie's eyes fluttered open as the sunlight streamed through her partially opened curtains. She wasn't hungover but since she was the day before, the pints she had last night sort of sped up her tipsy feeling. Her and Chesney only stayed for a few more but since they were in such good spirits, it became a bit of a party atmosphere. Their usual playful jokes and slapping of arms got them a few looks in their direction from other patrons since they weren't regulars there, but they managed to get a few chuckles out of the bartender. After the circus that was the relationship with Erinn, Sophie wanted nice nights out. No drama, no tears, just laughs and her oldest friend usually delivered.

Her other mate, Ryan Connor, was a different animal all together. Soph met Ryan when they were a bit older in school and were forced to become study partners. Ryan was going through his bad boy stage then, but he was always nice to Sophie. They had fun together sure, but when there was some girl around, he was quick to leave Sophie and chat up the new girl. And with Sophie's girlfriend/non-girlfriend situation with Erinn, scoring was usually the last thing on her mind, and the nights would usually end with Sophie playing with her phone until it was out of battery. She could never stay mad at him but she learned after a while to have a game plan ready to make herself scarce, if the girl Ryan was trying for actually took the bait.

Speaking of Ryan, Sophie's phone buzzed with a new text from him.

From Ryan C:

I guess I'm over the Sian thing, but I probs won't be back in the Rover's anytime soon. Saw Ches and he said you all were at The Flying Horse? How was it? Might have to go with you two next time

Sophie knew Ryan too well. When he said he was over it, she knew he wasn't. He was still fuming which made her stomach churn a bit. Sophie will be glad to see Sian whenever that happens again, but if she sees her while she's hanging with Ryan, it'll for sure be awkward. And now he's going to want to go to The Flying Horse more often? Drat. Sophie wanted to see how this Sian thing will play out, which means she will want to go to the Rover's where Sian works. She should tell him, shouldn't she? There's nothing worse than hiding things from your best mates. Even if you think it'll save embarrassment and possibly a blow out, right? "Ugh," thought Sophie. "Wait, Ryan saw Ches already? What bloody time is it?" Sophie cleared the phone to the home screen and it read 9:35. Well, Sally didn't wake her up, so that must mean there's a tersely written note left for her on the counter in the kitchen. Sophie sighed. She walked downstairs and was met with a sleepy looking Kevin and a sleeping Jack on his shoulder.

"Alright Soph?" asked Kevin in a low monotone voice. He was slowly pacing back and forth making sure the baby he was holding would stay asleep. He looked at his now middle child with a bit of concern. "Out boozing again? You've been on the drink a bit lately haven't you?"

"Yeah dad, it's called 'being young.' I bet you don't remember that these days do ya?" asked Sophie just above a whisper.

"Too right." Kevin wearily forced out a half smile. "There's a note here from your mother and she left some brekkie in the microwave. What's going on then Soph? She doesn't say it, but I can tell she's a bit worried, and now I am as well.." Sophie took a minute before reading the note. Her and her dad have always been close, but what with the cheating and new baby, he wasn't the same man she grew to know. Could she trust him now?

"It's nowt dad. I'm just hanging out with my mates. If it were something, I'd tell you yeah?" Sophie put the note down and looked at her dad in the eyes. "I promise I would. Now what's this breakfast aye?" said Sophie trying to change the subject. Had she been out on the drink a lot? Well maybe these past two nights, not more than them at the Rover's every night. She made her way to the microwave oven and absently pushed the two minute setting. Today was Thursday, the day Sian told her to come see her at the Rover's, speaking of. How could she justify showing up by herself? Maybe she could see if Ches wanted to join. Or better yet, Ches and his new interest. After she ate she would shoot him a text. She texted Ryan first however.

To Ryan C:

"Chin up young Connor, there are many females out there ripe for the picking ;)"

Sophie really hoped he would get over Sian and quickly. Either way, if she was going to hang out with Sian, she wanted it to be amicable between all of her mates. Luckily for Sophie, Kevin was distracted by a moving baby as she stared straight ahead lost in her thoughts. The ping from the microwave brought her back to reality. Kevin and Sophie looked at each other with a slight panic in their eyes as Jack moved once more, picked up his head, turned it the other way and went back to sleep. Sophie let go of her breath, smiled at Kevin and quietly took her plate out of the oven. She left the note unread on the counter and walked up the stairs with her breakfast. Sally's lecture can wait a few hours.

Sophie found herself waking up to the slam of the front door and sleepily looked around her room for the time. "One PM? Crap!" Sophie hurriedly ran down the stairs, but was still a bit groggy from having woken up so fast and had to grab onto the handrail to steady herself. She ran to the kitchen to see if Sally or Kevin or even Rosie was around, but the house was way too quiet for that. Sophie saw the note again on the counter and this time saw an added message at the end. She read the entire note this time.

Sophie, your sister has taken living with Jason at that.. Eileen's house mostly because of your father. Please do me a favor and help tidy up the house. Help me out, do the hoovering for once please. I won't be in a good mood, so please don't rock the boat.

Mum

Then at the bottom in a quick jumbled mess:

Sophie I expect something done around here, no more lie ins.

Sophie knew her mom was right, she didn't help much around the house. Just tried to stay out of the way of her parent's incessant fighting. She turned on the radio and set about doing the dishes and dusting. The hoovering would be last because of how dreadful it is. The song that was playing when Sian gave her a lap dance two nights ago came on while she was straightening some magazines and Sophie couldn't help but blush like mad and smile. That settles it, she was going to the Rover's tonight.