Following on from when Josh found Sophie at Uni and she walked off.
Sophie is too upset to attend her class and she immediately goes back to her friend's place and packs her bag. She goes to the coach station and buys a ticket for the first bus home. She wanted to provoke Josh, she wanted to get a reaction from him but he didn't look like he was going to fight for her enough. Sure he's said that he loves her, he's asked her to live with him.........but will it last ?
Josh goes for a lonely drive to a quiet place where he used to go when he thought of Grace ( no, its not the cemetery, some quiet park or beach somewhere ). He's confused and feels like he's been stabbed in the back. He thought all was well, it was only a minor dispute wasn't it ? What's the problem ? He wonders if she is really ok, what's she been talking about with that counsellor ? Its driving him crazy that she is out there alone and he can't protect her, what if that loony Luke finds her again ?
He's alone at home that night, he tries
to stay home a lot at the moment in case she calls or returns. He
gets a phone-call from Sophie's mum Elizabeth.
Elizabeth; "Josh,
I don't understand why, but Sophie has just turned up. She didn't
want me to call you though......."
Josh; "Oh , thank god
she's alright !"
Elizabeth: "What's going on ?"
J;osh
"I honestly don't know, she won't tell me"
Elizabeth:
"Oh, I see, she can get pretty moody you know, if she has
something on her mind.......well, I'll keep you informed ok ?"
Josh wonders if he should go out there, its very
tempting......
Elizabeth; "Maybe she just needs some time
alone" she says as if reading his thoughts.
The next day
Sophie's
mum calls Josh; "Josh, you need to come out here and speak to
Sophie"
Josh; "I don't think she wants to see me right
now"
Elizabeth; "Yes she does, we've talked about
it"
Josh wonders why Sophie can't call him.
Josh: "You
know how I feel about going home"
Elizabeth; "You don't
have to see your family or even go near them, I won't ambush you (
with his family ) and we live on the other side of town from
them........."
Josh is silent.
Elizabeth; "This is
important Josh. She needs you and she does want to see you,
but you understand we can't send her back to the city right now,
she's too fragile"
Those last words are a blow to Josh. He
thought they were over the problems......
Josh; "Ok, I'll
have to take a few days off work though. The boss won't be
happy"
Josh calls back, he's got time off, he'll be there as
soon as he can.
Sophie's mum goes to her room.
Elizabeth;
"Sophie, I spoke to Josh, he's coming."
Sophie nods and
looks down; "I'm scared...."
Elizabeth comes and sits
next to her on the bed; "Don't be. I know it's a big step. We
all go through it, but it'll be fine. Josh loves you and he's worried
about you, I'm sure he'll be supportive."
After her
mother leaves, Sophie sits on the bed alone in her childhood bedroom,
posters on the wall, old photos, trophies..... She looks around the
room, some of that stuff seems so immature now. For years she's been
coming back here in between stints in the city, backpacking overseas,
so many years of leading a nomadic existence, from one share house to
the next, from one Uni degree to another and now what does she have ?
A C.V. full of unfinished and unrelated projects ! Where's her life
going ?
She feels like she no longer belongs here. Josh's
apartment is so different, mature, organised, another world. It's
time to make a fresh start, to move on for good.
Josh arrives
hours later. She hears his car in the driveway, bites her lip and
goes to her room like a naughty child. She's embarrassed now and
can't meet him at the door. She hears her mother let him in, they're
talking about her in the hallway, then there is a knock at the door.
Sophie; "come in"
Josh walks in.
Josh
is so relieved to see her safe and well that he immediately crosses
the room and embraces her passionately.
Josh: "Sophie,
Sophie, I've been so
worried about you"
Sophie starts crying, she tries not to,
she's embarrassed at how much crying she's been doing lately, but
she's so emotional, she can't control herself. They sit on the bed
together. Josh doesn't even notice the surroundings ( the teenager's
decoration ), he only has eyes for her.
He looks into her eyes,
holding her face in his hands.
Josh; "Sophie, what's going on
?"
Sophie shakes her head. Where does she start explaining it
all ?
Josh; "I love you Sophie, don't you feel that way too
?"
Sophie nods.
Josh is incredibly relieved by that little
movement, he'd started to doubt.....
Josh; "So what's with
the cat and mouse game ? the hiding ? Where were you ?"
Sophie;
"With a friend, talking about stuff......"
Josh; "You
can't talk to me about it ?"
Sophie; "I've just been
unsure.........."
Josh interrupts her; "unsure
?"
Sophie; "Well, if you wanted me to hang
around......."
Josh; ( incredulous ) "But I asked you to
move in with me !"
Sophie; "yes"
Josh; "You
want to get married already ?" ( he's joking )
Sophie smiles
at that; "Well, it's too early Josh, but..........."
Josh;
"But what ?"
He's looking at her.
Sophie; "Our
parents will want it"
Josh is clueless, puzzled. Where is
this conversation heading ? Why all this drama ?
He stares at her
in bemusement.
Sophie; "I'm pregnant Josh"
Josh;
"Well ! .................Hah ! I didn't see that coming !"
He laughs, slaps his thigh; "Is that what this is all about
?"
Sophie is surprised at his reaction; "I didn't think
that you would be pleased"
Josh; "Well, I'd rather wait
another year or two..........but it's certainly something that I was
looking forward to !"
He smiles at her and kisses her on the
forehead.
Josh; "Wow ! What a day ! Glad I took a few days
off work, Stuff Lawson !"
