Sitting around the Webster family kitchen table, it seemed to Sophie as if she was experiencing déjà vu. There was one important exception, of course, for once there were two males instead of just one.
"See isn't your sister so smart?" Kevin leaned over to Jack with a smile. Jack hooted in response as he worked his way thru his plate. Sally was tutting around the kitchen. Sophie and Sian were sitting at table opposite of Jack. Kevin sat at the head of the table as he always did.
Her nerves had left her unable to open up the envelope at first.
When she was rejected the first go round, she had yanked the letter from the mail. Making sure that Sian was in class, she had barricaded herself in the bathroom. The rejection had so consumed her at the time that she took it out on the towel rack. Alex had helped her replace it.
This time was different. She had promised herself that whatever happened it wasn't the end of the world. Sophie had already been there, thank you very much. So this time, she had opened up the envelope with Sian beside her on the couch. She had tried to play it off at first, but her soppy grin had given the game away. She had made it in, and of course, this time her girlfriend took all the credit.
"You should have asked for my help in the first place," Sian said cheekily.
"You're going to proper milk this for awhile aren't you?" Sophie replied while slurping up her celebratory take-away. She reached for another glass of wine.
"Well it was me who offered my body for it" Sian winked and giggled.
"SIAN!" Sophie smirked.
"No babe, it was all you. I'm so proud" she said throwing her arms around Sophie's neck.
To celebrate her and Sian went out the next day and got a replacement for the car that had been wrecked. It wasn't very flash, but between the insurance, and more Powers family money, they'd picked out something reliable. Sophie had sighed at how boring it was-just like something her dad would buy, she remarked.
"It's not like you'll be driving it! Get used to the bus or jog on" Sian laughed.
Sophie scrunched up her face in mock annoyance, even though she deserved it. She knew that she'd have to earn back Sian's trust; they had had an almighty row. Still she didn't have to be so cheeky about it.
"Sophie, I still don't see how you're going to pay for it" Sally sighed from the sink.
"Mum! Can't you at least be pleased for me?" Sophie whinged.
"I'm just saying…" Sally responded.
"Sal!" Kevin interrupted her. He turned toward Sophie and grinned that half-sided smile they shared. He placed his hand on hers and leaned in.
"We're both so proud of you" he said softly and kissed her on the cheek. Then whispering in her ear he said "Don't worry about the money, we'll find it for you Soph." She turned toward him and half smiled back before she threw her arms around her dad.
She had spent her afternoon doing inventory at the shop. Sophie knew that she wouldn't be able to do these early morning shifts for much longer. Of course she worried about money. Everyone does. But between Sophie working mornings and Sian working nights at the Rovers, they spent very little time together.
This always made her nervous. They'd been down this road before.
Sophie had saved enough money that she felt as if they should do something special. She'd have to think on it. Looking up at the sound of the doorbell she smiled.
"Congrats Teach" Chesney said as he walked in. He grabbed a soda from the cooler. "You'll be teaching Joseph in a few years" he smiled.
"Oh I doubt it. They will never let me teach somewhere posh" she smirked.
"Just keep working on it. You can practice while watching Downton Abbey," he laughed.
"As if" Sophie sneered while handing him back his change.
"You'll be great Sophie. We all know it," he said sincerely as he took his soda.
At that moment watching her oldest mate walking out of the shop, she felt like she was walking on air. It was nice for once to be one the sunny-side of the street's glare. She had spent plenty of time on the other side of it after all. Her dad, Sian, and Chesney had shown faith and belief in her. She didn't want to let them down.
Wringing her hands a little bit, she went back to the inventory list.
"Sophie!" she heard as she looked up. It was Chesney again. He looked a bit smirky as he approached the counter.
"Whut? Did you forget something?" Sophie replied.
"You won't believe who I just saw," Chesney said as he approached the counter.
"Who?" Sophie asked a bit frustrated. She didn't have time for this goss.
"Ryan Connor just stepped out of a taxi," Chesney said in a loud whisper.
"Really?! I wonder why he's here?" Sophie said surprised. She had last seen him a few years ago when he had left for Ibiza. At the time it seemed as if he was done with Weatherfield and his mum. Him and Michelle tended to clash over the years. Ryan had never felt as if she supported him; she never felt like he was serious about anything. His visits were few and far between and never in Weatherfield. Whenever Ryan did come to visit it was always in town.
And then it dawned on her.
"Chesney! Michelle lives at the Rovers" Sophie said a bit panicked.
At first Chesney was stumped, but then he understood Sophie's sudden turn.
"Is Sian working at the Rovers right now?" Chesney asked as he finally got what Sophie was on about. Sophie nodded that yes she was.
For a moment they just looked at each other and then they peeled out of the shop at top speed toward the Rovers.