When Summer Fades by Danielle Shaw Page A

wonder .” I wish I hadn’t seen that, she thought, snapping the book shut, preferring not to think of summer.
    Arranging to meet Callie in the staff restaurant, Sophie was surprised to find her there already – Callie wasn’t renowned for her time-keeping. Not only that she was also peering mournfully into a cup of black coffee and there wasn’t a doughnut in sight.
    ‘Callie? Are you okay? You seemed miles away when I came in. Why the black coffee, and where are the doughnuts?’
    Ignoring the question Callie turned pleading, black eyes in her direction. ‘Oh! Sophie, you’ve simply got to help me! What on earth shall I do?’
    ‘Help you? You mean you’re in some sort of trouble?’
    ‘It depends what you mean by trouble? Oh! If you really want to know, it’s … it’s Patrick Murphy. He’s come back.’
    ‘Come back! You mean the Patrick Murphy? The one who—?’
    ‘Yes,’ groaned Callie, shaking her head in despair.
    ‘What’s wrong with that? You should be over the moon. When did you see him?’
    ‘I am, and I haven't.’
    Sophie was still puzzling this remark when Callie explained pitifully, ‘I am pleased he’s back but I haven’t seen him yet, at least not to speak to. I hid in the kitchen.’
    ‘Hid in the…? Callie, I don’t mean to sound dense, or rush you, as I don’t have much time. But this conversation isn’t progressing very far, is it?’
    ‘I know, and I’m sorry Sophie. It’s simply that I still can’t believe it. There I was, helping mum with the lunch time bar snacks and when I opened the door from the kitchen, I recognized his voice. He was standing at the far end of the bar.’
    ‘You’re sure it was Patrick? Especially if you ran and hid.’
    ‘I’d recognize that voice and those beefy shoulders anywhere.’
    ‘So, why the panic?’
    Callie tugged miserably at her blue and white uniform ‘Isn’t it obvious? Look at me, Sophie! I know I wasn’t exactly Kate Moss on my eighteenth birthday when we … well, you know … but neither did I look as if I could go ten rounds with Lennox Lewis.’
    ‘Could you go ten rounds with Lennox Lewis?’
    ‘Be serious, Sophie. I’m desperate! What shall I do?’
    ‘Dare I suggest diet?’
    ‘I’ve already begun.’
    ‘You mean the black coffee and no doughnuts?’
    Callie nodded, gazing longingly at an apple Danish on a nearby table.
    ‘That’s good,’ Sophie encouraged, saddened to see her friend in such despair. It was so unlike her. ‘Look,’ she continued, ‘why not come round this evening? Perhaps we can think of a fitness plan or something?’
    ‘Can you come and fetch me?’
    ‘If you like. Although you usually don’t mind taking the bus if it’s early evening.’
    ‘I know, but I don’t want Patrick to see me. Least not until I’ve lost some weight.’
    Sophie studied Callie’s sad and pathetic face. This really was serious. ‘OK. No problem, I’ll pick you up about eight. Watch out for me from your bedroom window.’
    ‘Thanks Sophie,’ Callie said, and with a shudder gulped down the cup of unsweetened black coffee.
    *
    Collecting Callie under cover of darkness, Sophie racked her brain for ideas. Slimming clubs and aerobic classes were a no-no right from the start. She’d suggested those months ago, even before Patrick Murphy had reappeared on the scene. ‘No way!’ Callie had protested at the time.
    ‘Swimming?’ Sophie ventured, parking her car at Victoria Villas.
    ‘Swimming! You’re joking! I’d look like a beached whale!’
    ‘It’s the best all-round exercise. And I know for a fact,’ Sophie called, springing up the two flights of stairs. ‘You’d never consider coming to the gym with me.’
    ‘Too right I wouldn’t,’ Callie panted, out of breath, reaching Sophie’s front door. ‘We’d look like Little and Large! It’s okay for you. You’re nice and slim. They’d all fall about laughing at me.’
    ‘Not at the place I had in mind.’
    Deeply curious, Callie slumped