Sophie had about 2 panic attacks during her shift. They weren't regular ones, just an itchy all over episode and becoming frustrated with things quite easily. She didn't like not knowing what was going on with other people because that was the source of her anxiety with her thing with Erinn. People running hot and cold with her was what she couldn't understand at all. And yeah of course, not everyone could be black and white with things like she tended to be, but still…

Sophie was pulled out of her thoughts by Ryan. "Alright Sophie? You look lost," he said with a grin.

"Yeah I guess I am. What's going on with you?" said Sophie trying hard to manage a smile.

"Oh not much, just you know, might have a date on Wednesday, the usual," he said with a hand through his hair.

"That's the spirit Ry, get back on that horse. Anyone I kno…." Sophie was interrupted by a fellow she thought looked familiar coming through the door.

"Alright? Pack of ciggys please," he said with a slightly different accent. Sophie couldn't help but stare a bit as she retrieved the pack of smokes for him. He wasn't anyone that lived on the street, but his face was familiar…

"Um yeah that'll be 4 even," she said as he reached in his wallet. She started blushing once he realized she was staring. He stood staring back for two ticks, smirked and then handed Sophie a fiver. Sophie felt a shiver run down her spine. She broke her gaze away from him, got his change and quickly glanced up at Ryan making sure he was watching, in case anything weird was going on. She got a strange vibe from this guy and wasn't sure why, but knew he looked like someone she had seen before. He glanced at Ryan, took his change and slowly walked out. Before he went through the door he turned around and gave Sophie a wink. Not in a flirty way, more like a condescending wink, if that was even a thing.

As soon as the door closed, she practically attacked Ryan, "Who was that? Have you seen that guy before?" Sophie figured he was a few years older than she was but he looked aged well beyond his years.

Ryan looked up from his phone. "Who? Oh that guy that was in here? Didn't really get a good look at him. Sozz." Ryan then looked at his phone and smiled as a text came through.

"Ugh Ryan, what if that guy tried robbing me or attacking me? Would you have noticed then?" Sophie was on edge as it was, she didn't need some creepy guy tipping her over the breaking point.

"Alright steady on Sophie, of course I would've noticed then! You okay?" asked Ryan putting his phone away.

"Yeah that guy was dead creepy, and I just.. I don't know, he gave me the chills. And plus I've had a weird day. That was just the cherry on top," Sophie said apologetically. Ryan reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Hey, it's okay Sophie. I'll wait for you to get off and I'll walk you home, how's about that for a mate?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

"Yeah thanks Ry, but I think I'm heading for the Rover's tonight. I think I need a drink after this crappy day."

"Is that THE ONLY reason you're going there hmmmm Sophie?" asked Ryan trying to keep things playful. Sophie tried to stifle a laugh but couldn't succeed. "There we go, that's our Sophie back. Hey I'll join ya, if you don't mind."

Sophie was grateful for the company especially after the weird episode with the stranger in the shop, but was still worried that having Ryan around would scare off Sian. More than she already was acting? Sophie felt like Sian was being stand-offish just a bit, and considering how they left it the night before she went home and the small amount of texting they had, it didn't seem Sian was put off then. Soph didn't want to think of the many reasons why she wouldn't be interested in Sophie anymore or any feelings of guilt she might have. "Maybe she is just hungover, get a grip!"

"I'll take that far away look as a yes then. You are being a bit weird today. You sure you aren't getting sick or something?" asked Ryan pulling out his phone again.

"Um, maybe, I don't know. I just feel strange. Okay one drink and then home, how about that?" This would allow Sophie to check out the status with Sian but not be too hovering.

"Sounds good. How long until you're off then? I can just wait here," said Ryan grabbing a bag of crisps.

"Maybe an hour, and oi, you're going to pay for those!" said Sophie in mock anger.

"Alright alright."

The hour passed quickly now that Soph had company. She couldn't squeeze out who the date Ryan had was with though. It was driving her a bit mad, but being in her tired/strange/anxiety mood, she let it go, which was quite unusual indeed for Sophie Webster. She felt like she needed a vacation or a week long nap. Maybe one drink, a visit with Sian and an early bedtime will do it. "Hopefully," she thought.

Sophie was not one for games but she felt like she should put an air on of "Oh just stopped in for a pint," instead of "I desperately need you in my life and would do anything you told me to," which is what she was thinking. Dev showed up in exactly one hour, talked to Ryan and Sophie, made sure that Ryan paid for his junk food and sent them off on their way to the Rover's. Sophie couldn't explain it, but she got this overwhelming sense of dread as they were walking up. Like something ominous was going to happen. It was a feeling she had all day really, the not sleeping, the worn out feeling, the creepy dude, Sian being less than enthusiastic seeing her. She didn't know if it was those things or something else but she felt like just going home. Soph couldn't explain it. She stopped in her tracks.

"Did you forget something?" asked Ryan absently looking at his phone and walking.

"Uh no, but.."

Ryan stopped walking and looked away from his phone to look at Sophie. "Well?"

"Uh yeah nothing, sorry," she said and started walking towards the Rover's again. Sophie felt on fire again and got the sweats as they walked up to the door. Considering it was winter it was actually not that freezing or wet, but certainly not hot by any means. Soph was sure she looked like she had ran a marathon getting there. Ryan reached out for the door, not noticing anything weird about Sophie. If Ches was there he'd for sure notice a change in her, but Ryan was a different story. She wasn't sure if she was grateful or miserable that he wasn't noticing but went along anyway.

They both walked in to the pub, Ryan looking around for a place to sit, and Sophie looking sheepish and super flushed. She wasn't going to look for Sian, instead she was just going to go in and sit down. Ryan found them a seat near the jukebox and looked to Soph. "First round on you?"

Sophie sighed and stood up to walk to the bar. She felt dizzy, but not like she was going to pass out. More like the floor had dropped out on her for a split second, then regained its position. Ryan giggled as she slowly trudged to the bar, not looking up.

"What'll it be Sophie?" asked Sian. Sophie would know that voice anywhere.

Sophie put on her best smile and looked at Sian for the first time. "Two lagers please." Sian eyed her with a stern face Sophie hadn't seen since that night Erinn caused the ruckus at the Rover's. When Sian turned around to pour the drinks, Sophie closed her eyes in disappointment and let out a small sigh. Sian WAS acting different to her. Well, was it her or the fact she was with Ryan? Only one way to find out. "So how was Southport? I got your Snapcha…."

"That'll be six please," said Sian not looking at Sophie but looking well annoyed. Sophie didn't know what to do then. She couldn't move to get her money out or process what was happening. She stood there staring for what seemed like minutes but was actually seconds. "Sophie? Six please," said Sian. There was no humor or any wistfulness in her eyes looking upon Sophie. Sophie broke her trance and fumbled for her money. She handed Sian a tenner and went to sit down. "I'll just get your cha.."

"Just keep it," said Sophie quietly.

"Thanks," said Sian turning to the register. Sophie sat down and stared straight ahead towards the dartboard. Ryan wasn't there but his coat was. That wasn't on her list of thoughts going through her head however. She didn't know what was happening. She couldn't imagine what had gone on in 24 hours from when she had texted Sian back home. Sian had gone out but what, so what? Soph was in the middle of imagining a billion different scenarios when she saw him. The creepy guy from before in the shop. He was staring at something on his phone, but just then he looked up and locked eyes with Sophie. She froze while he smirked. He winked again at her and held up his drink. Sophie just stared. She glanced over at the blonde behind the counter as she noticed their exchange. Sian walked over to the man and playfully hit his arm. What she was saying to him, Sophie couldn't see because Sian's back was to her, but she could see his reaction.

"What? I'm just havin' a laugh," he said as Sian's head was moving like she was giving him an earful. He put his arms up in surrender. "Alright alright, geez. Touchy aren't we?" Sophie felt the need to just go and run home, but just then Chesney bust in the front door of the Rover's.

"Where is he? Ryan Connor show yourself!"

Sophie stood up quickly and grabbed on to Chesney's coat. "Hey what is this about? Chesney?"

"Our so-called 'mate' has asked Katy out on a date. He knows she's off limits, and there he is still trying to weasel his way in!"

Sophie took a second to process this, as her mind was working slower than normal and tried to calm Chesney down. "Come on now Ches, there's got to be a mistake. He's here somewhere. We can get to the bottom of this right now."

Just like out of a movie or TV show, Ryan walked out of the loo and towards Sophie and Ches.

"Alright Ches?" Ryan said with a smirk.

"That's it," Chesney put his hand back like he was going to punch him, and Sophie went for his arm so he couldn't let it fly.

"HEY HEY, why don't you lot take this outside! Not on my shift, not in my pub!" said Sian with her assertive voice again. If Sophie wasn't so confused she would've looked at Sian but that was the last thing she wanted to do. Chesney pulled Ryan outside leaving Sophie there with everyone staring at her. Sophie slowly picked up her's and Ryan's coats and put on her purse. She took one big drink of her pint and as she was swallowing looked over at the creepy man from earlier. He sure did look familiar.

"Wow babe, that was hot!" he said to Sian as she was walking back over to him.

"Oh shut up you," she said half kidding half serious. That was all Sophie needed and she started to walk out. "Hey make sure they don't bring the fight back in here yeah?" Sophie stopped and turned to look at Sian. "You done with your drinks then?" Sian asked Sophie stepping towards the brunette. Sophie took a good hard look at first at the creepy guy, and then at Sian. Her face had changed. It wasn't stern anymore. She looked almost apologetic and pleading. "What is she playing at?" Sophie didn't feel good enough for games or deciphering any cryptic messages Sian was trying to relay to her. Then she spoke softly, "Soph? I.."

"Oh yeah, I'm done," said Sophie walking out.