February 1st, 2016

More casting decisions made. Allison Williams will be Charlotte, Sophie's sister. Picture around here somewhere. Sarah xx p.s. Happy 1 Month to all you readers.

*~*~*

"It's me."

"No! Is it?"

"I find it amusing that you continue to be sarcastic in situations like this."

"Well, if I don't laugh, I cry. So, I choose to be a sarcastic bitch."

"One of the qualities I like most about you."

"Hey, you love all my quirks."

"I never said anything about loving your qualities or quirks. I said 'like.'"

"And yet, I hear you say that you love my qualities."

"You need to see someone about that. Anyway, I just wanted. to call and let you know that I'm on the plane and you can galeanthropy me any time."

"Thanks but no thanks. Hey, I thought you weren't supposed to call from planes. If mobile phones can mess up hospital equipment, surely they can mess up plane equipment too. What gives with all this double standards, Danny Duck?"

"It's a satellite phone, Sophie. That's why I said that it was me at the start of the conversation."

"Huh, I hadn't noticed."

"Do you answer every random number that calls you?"

"Are you seriously asking that?"

"..."

"Ok, whoa, you actually are. Do you need a reminder about how this whole thing started?"

"Oh... haha. Right, I guess you do answer every random number."

"Your genius astounds me."

"It astounds me too."

"I can't believe that the air crew let you use their satellite phone, though. You used your charm on them, didn't you?"

"I'm on a private jet, Sophie."

"Of course you are. I bet you charmed your way onto that, too."

"Not exactly. My client arranged it all."

"He really must want to get rid of his wife if he's willing to hire a private jet for his lawyer."

"Let's just say that my client is eager. How's things your end? Lucas doing ok?"

"Still on the ventilator but not dead. All in all, he's doing ok."

"Any other news about his prognosis?"

"The doctors were here yesterday to update my parents. Lucas is at the top of the donor recipient list now, but they need to clear the pneumonia and the infection before they can do a transplant. Hopefully, it'll clear up. Being on the ventilator is helping because is takes the stress of breathing off him."

"That's good, surely. Are you back in work?"

"In a way. I'm working from home. Or rather, from my parent's home. We're all back under one roof- minus Lucas- and already I hate it. Us girls keep fighting."

"Fighting about what?"

"Charlotte and Emma had an argument about whose top Emma was wearing. Charlotte was sure it was hers, Emma was adamant that it was hers. In actuality, it was mine."

"Sisters."

"Yep. Bloody nightmare."

"I bet."

"There's a reason Lucas is my favourite sibling."

"When are you back in London?"

"Not until he's settled. Work is being really good, what with letting me work away from my office, so I'm not in a rush to get back."

"And you? How are you doing?"

"I'm ok."

"Sophie, didn't anyone ever tell you that you shouldn't lie?"

"I'm exhausted. I haven't eaten properly since lunch time Friday. I have a major case of insomnia. My eyes look sunken, lost under the massive bags under them. I have homicidal rages, mainly directed to Charlotte at the moment. The five minutes of sleep I do get every night, I spend it dreaming of something her in her sleep. And I have to walk the family dog, which is tiring. I haven't done any exercise in years."

"Want some advice?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No. Have something to eat. Get away from Charlotte for the night. Join a gym so walking the dog won't be such a challenge for you. Put on some relaxing music and get some sleep."

"Easier said than done. By the way, it's rude to tell someone to join a gym."

"Fine, don't join a gym. Get a dog."

"I'm allergic."

"To dogs?"

"To exercise."

"You're beyond ridiculous."

"Another of my quirks you love."

"Or, as I like to say, it's another of your quirks that I tolerate."

"Wait! What happened to liking them?"

"You got downgraded."

"How dare you!"

"Whatever. What's an anagram of 'supreme?'"

"Seven letter anagram for supreme?"

"Yep. I'm doing The Guardian newspaper crossword on the flight over. So, suggestions?"

"Supreme."

"... That works. That was from the simple crossword. How are you with the cryptic one?"

"Try me."

"Ok, here's one. 'Romeo's disposition is melancholic.'"

"..."

"Any ideas?"

"I'm thinking."

"Take your time."

"..."

"..."

"Morose?"

"How did you know it was six letters?"

"I didn't. Does it fit?"

"Yes."

"Bow down to my genius."

"No."

"Spoilsport."

"Go back to work, otherwise I'll have you do the entire crossword for me."

"Works for me."

"Not for me. I'll call you again later once I get to grips with the time zone."

"No, don't do that. You'll be getting in late, so go to your palace and get some rest."

"I'm not staying at a palace."

"Your client gets you a private jet, but a palace is what, too expensive?"

"Too cheap. I'm at the Burj Al Arab."

"The thing that looks like a sail?"

"That thing that looks like a sail is a hotel. But, yes, that's where I'm staying."

"Nice."

"Yep."

"Well, get to the Burj Al Arab and go to sleep. You don't need to worry about me. I can galeanthropy you if there's anything wrong, right?"

"You're learning."

"I have an annoying teacher."

"I'm turning off the satellite phone now."

"Coolio."

"Bye, Soph."

"Bye, Daniel."