Sophie kept her promise. Throughout the treatment in the hospital she was on her best behaviour. When they informed her that they were going to have to extract the alcohol there were no complaints uttered by her. I stayed by her for the majority of her stay. I slept in a chair next to her bed. I stayed with her while they talked to her about the risks of alcohol, reassuring her that she was safe. When I was informed that she would be let out in the morning I was overjoyed. I could see already that she was looking much more healthy. Much more like herself.
"Thank you," I told Sophie.
"For what?" She frowned.
"For getting better." I answered.
"My pleasure," She giggled.
"I just realised that I never told you how much I like your new hair!" I laughed "It's lovely,"
"Thank you." Sophie smiled "I got a purple dress as well but the hospital took it off me. Can you do me a favour and ask them for it back?"
I went to ask the receptionist if it would be possible.
"I'm sorry," She told me "We threw the dress away because your girlfriend threw up on it."
"Oh that's alright," I replied "And she's not actually my girlfriend."
"You're married already?" The receptionist asked incredulously "She looks only about nineteen."
"No we're just friends. And she's actually twenty two for your information. I know she's small." I told the annoying woman.
"So you're just friends yet you slept in a chair next to her bed all night?" The receptionist was sceptical "I'm not believing that."
"Have it your way," I gave up.
"Sorry Sophie, they threw the dress away." I told her.
"Damn and blast it, that cost £125!" Sophie say, clearly annoyed.
"Anyway, I'll be back in an hour to take you out of here. I need to clear up some business ahead of Wimbledon." I explained before leaving her to her thoughts.
I actually did have stuff to sort out before Wimbledon, I needed to check the standard of the hotel which we had booked but I ended up inside a clothing store with two dresses and two pairs of shoes to go with the dresses. I had one black dress and one purple dress which I hoped was similar to the one which Sophie had bought and obviously loved. The end balance was nearly £300 but I could afford that.
"Your girl is a lucky woman!" The lady behind the counter told me as she scanned the items.
"She's just a friend," I explained for not the first time that day.
As I wheeled Sophie out of the hospital there was a great sense of relief and happiness. She was in a wheelchair because he legs would still probably be a bit weak but I was okay with that as long as we could just get going. I already had twenty three text messages from Toni enquiring where the hell I was and it was essential that we got to Halle sooner rather than later. Roger was going to pick us up from the airport in twenty minutes.
I had been in Roger's plane before, he had sent it to pick me up before the Charity Match for Africa a few years ago but Sophie had never been in any thing of the sort. It had a lovely relaxing interior with comfy seats, large tables and curtains for privacy. There were speakers for music and a television for watching films. She got up shakily from her wheelchair to enter the plane and sit down. I introduced her to Roger and his wife, Mirka and we sat down for take off. I sat down with Roger, talking about his grass court preparations and about how life was with kids.
"So how do you manage to have kids yet still stay travelling all around the world?" I asked.
"Well sometimes we take the kids, depending on the size of the event and how far away it is sometimes. But because they can't travel everywhere with us sometimes we leave them at home with family and friends to look after them." Roger explained "But I tell you what. There is something really special about having your own kids watching you play to a high standard."
"Are they going to be at Wimbledon?" I asked.
"Definitely, it's such a special event." Roger smiled.
Sophie was also getting on well with Mirka.
"So are you and Rafa just friends or are you in a relationship?" Mirka asked her.
"Oh we're just friends at the moment." Sophie replied.
"Do you want to be in a relationship?" Mirka asked.
"I think that is up to him. He seems so dedicated to his tennis and I don't know how I'd cope with having to travel nearly every week. Also I don't see how I'd be able to spend time with him when he spends so much time on the practice courts." I explained "But I think we're pretty close. In the French Open I fell over and then even though he didn't know me he accompanied me to clean the graze. Then because I missed my flight home he agreed to buy me tickets. Then we stayed in the same hotel room, slept in the same bed although there was nothing sexual about it. I've seen him in his boxers and he's seen me in just a towel!"
"So you only got to know him at the French Open?" Mirka asked.
"Yes on the first day of the final." I replied.
"So this is only your fifth day of knowing him yet you've already gone through so much?" Mirka asked "I'd say that you're made for each other. In fact, I bet you that you will be in a relationship by the end of August."
"You're on!"
Everything was going beautifully until a little later when Mirka mentioned her parents.
"My parents only recently started to approve of...
Sophie burst into tears.
"I want my parents. Where are my parents Mirka?" Sophie was screaming in Roger's wife's face.
"I don't know," Mirka said, looking scared.
"Well find them NOW!" Sophie bellowed, standing up and smashing a glass.
Mirka ran to where Roger and I were sitting and I stood up to go and calm Sophie.
"I am so so sorry about this." I said to the couple "Let me go and sort her out."
"Where are Sophie's parents Roger?" Mirka asked her husband.
"They died in a gas leak a few days ago. Rafa's been caring for her ever since." Roger replied grimly.
"She's mad, one of these days there is going to be an accident." Mirka predicted.
"She's not mad, she's just in a state of shock." Roger replied "Rafa'll comfort her."
"Get me my parents Nadal, get me my parents." Sophie ordered "I need them,"
I sat Sophie down again and clipped her back into her seat belt before sitting down on the chair next to her.
"Don't worry Sophie," I said reassuringly "I'll always be here for you. Just relax and cool down."
Sophie slowly breathed in and out and rested her head on my shoulder.
"You see!" I smiled "That's all you need to do when somebody mentions parents or family. Just relax, breath in and out and make sure you do not lose your temper. Can you do that?"
"Of course," Sophie said, before adding with a grin "Pumpkin."
"If we're going to get along you will never ever call me pumpkin again. Clear?" I rebuked her.
"Sorry," Sophie grinned "Snookums,"
Neither of us could keep our laughter in and soon we were in hysterics like little children.
"Am I allowed to say I told you so?" Roger asked Mirka.