I am sorry for taking so long to update this. I have been really struggling with writers block as well as being extremely busy.
Well on with the story
Will the letter finally be revealed?
Claire had never seen so many emotions twisted and locked together in one pair of eyes. When she really thought about it, she found that this was the first time she had properly looked into Sophie's eyes. On this occasion, her face was still and lacking any emotion. It was those eyes that held everything. Those amazing big blue eyes were full of pain, hurt, confusion and sadness, all mixed together. The emotions were fighting each other, causing sparks, and those sparks were falling. They were falling as tears.
"Now Sophie" Claire said. "I know that you don't mean all of that. And I think that you need a male's point of view"
"I don't want to talk to him" Sophie said. "And I don't care if I sound that a spoiled little kid when I say it. I don't want to speak to Charlie"
"I didn't say you had to talk to Charlie now did I?" Claire smiled stroking her cheeks lovingly. "Lorenzo has been talking to him, and I believe that he will be able to give you Charlie's point of view. Now, come with me"
Sophie sighed and nodded standing up with her. Claire led her outside to Lorenzo and sat her down. "Lorenzo honey" She said kissing his cheek. "Please tell our dear Sophie here what Charlie said to you"
Lorenzo nodded and patted Sophie's hand. "Sweet girl, Charlie worships the ground you walk on" He smiled. "He doesn't want to see you hurt"
"I know" Sophie replied leaning back in her chair. "But that doesn't mean that he should be over protective"
"Indeed it doesn't" He said. "But if it were him, would you want to do anything in your power to prevent him from being hurt?"
Sophie bit down on her lip. "Of course I would, I love him"
"Then I believe that you are now seeing his point" Lorenzo smiled. "Why don't you go and talk to him innamorato?"
Sophie nodded and stood up rushing up to his bedroom. "Charlie? Are you in here?"
"Yes darling" He said opening the door. "I am sorry Sophie"
"I know you are Charlie" Sophie said going in and sitting on the bed. "I love you and I thank you for wanting to protect me but I want you to understand that I am not a little girl and I know that I am going to get hurt one way or another. You can't protect me from all of this Charlie, just comfort me when it happens"
Charlie sighed and sat beside her, looking down. "I love you more than anything. I hope you know that. I apologise for over doing things" He said running his hand up and down her arm. "I'll protect you and comfort you for all I am worth"
Sophie smiled sweetly turning to him and lacing her arms around his neck. "Of course you will" She smiled kissing him softly. "I am lucky to have you, I really am"
"Nonsense" He said. "I am the lucky one. I am a arrogant, big headed cocky Londoner and you are a beautiful intelligent women who I cannot lose an argument with because she is far too clever for me"
Sophie laughed, resting her head against his shoulder. She kissed the soft skin on his neck and reached into her pocket, pulling out the crumbled up letter. Her smile faded but she still looked up into his pale blue eyes. "I guess I better open this" She said. "Will you open it Charlie? Please?"
Charlie sighed and nodded, gently taking the letter from her hand. He ripped the envelope slowly and carefully along the top and pulled out the folded paper. He looked up at his precious Sophie before unfolding the paper and allowing his eyes to fall open the words. With a gulp, he began to read aloud the contents.
Sophie Hall
Apartment 22
Lenten House
West 22nd street
Manhattan
New York City
Dear Sophie Hall,
A writer? A writer? I told you not to be a writer. And as always you disobey me. Are you as rude and awful to your boss at that stupid New Yorker as you were to me?
You could be leading some great law business now, married to an amazing courtroom man with a grand house on the Oxford Lane estate. But no, you decide to be a writer, living in an apartment with some rotten bloke with a passion for cooking. I cannot hide my disgust Sophie.
I see that my parenting techniques did not lead you in the right direction. I blame your horrid father for patching you up the wrong way. I should have been more like me. Squash the rat whilst it's down to keep it down. That is what I say.
It is obvious that you were not black and blue enough. I obviously left some areas untouched. This will have to be sorted. It may have been eleven and half years but I still have control
With all my disgust
Karen Parsons.