March 25th 2016

There's talk about religion- Christianity- in this chapter. Please be respectful of what the character's opinions are. Thanks, lovelies.

And, what are the things that Daniel dreams of?

Sarah xx

~*~*~

"Hello, it's me."

"I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet."

"Haha, ok, I'll play this game."

"..."

"To go over, everything."

"They say time's supposed to heal ya, but I ain't done much healing."

"Hello, can you hear me?"

"I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be."

"When we were younger and free."

"I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet."

"There's such a difference, between us."

"And a million miles."

"Ok, I'm done with this now."

"Pretty sure that's not the next line in the lyrics."

"I'm improvising."

"You're bad at improvising."

"I'm too tired to do a decent job of it."

"Tired? It's the mid-day, Soph."

"Did you see Evelyn at all yesterday after our lunch meeting?"

"Funnily enough, I did not. She never came back to work. It's a good thing I need her in my life, otherwise I would have fired her for leaving me to survive on my own for five hours."

"I got your message, by the way."

"You did? You never called me back."

"I don't think I was in the right mind to call you back."

"Margaritas?"

"The whole cocktail menu."

"I did warn you."

"It was too late. That woman is wild."

"She needs to let her hair down every now and then. Just a shame she dragged you down that rabbit hole, too."

"Don't get me wrong, it was fun, but Evelyn is wild."

"Where did you end up? When Evie starts drinking, she likes to make a night of it."

"I'm well aware. We ended up going back to her house-"

"Her house?"

"Yeah."

"So you met Mr. Evelyn, then?"

"His name is Leighton, isn't it?"

"Yes, Leighton Mays. Were the children around?"

"Wait... I know the answer to this. Give me a second..."

"..."

"..."

"I'm still waiting."

"The kids were... Oh! They're at Grandma and Grandpa's house! Evelyn and Leighton are going up today for Easter. Bank Holiday and what not."

"Ah, Easter weekend. What are your plans?"

"I'll be spending it at Mum and Dad's place. It's Solemn Liturgy of the Passion at 3 pm. Then we're going back to Church on by 6 pm tonight for Stations of the Cross. Easter Vigil Mass tomorrow night and Mass again before Easter lunch on Sunday."

"Ha! You, in Church?"

"Laugh it up, Danny Boy, but it's true. My father is very religious- Roman Catholic. You know, Irish and all."

"And the rest of your family?"

"Lapsed. In my case, seriously lapsed. I've never taken to it. I disagree with about ninety per cent of their teaching. Abortion, same sex marriage, sex before marriage... God and I had a difference of opinions on those matters."

"Let me guess, you agree with it all and God doesn't?"

"It's not that clear cut, but... yeah, kinda. What about you?"

"I agree with abortions if it's absolutely necessary to preserve the life of the mother or if the child would be born with no quality of life. I'm all for same sex marriages because love is love, and obviously it'll be hypocritical of me to disagree with no sex before marriage, because... you'll have heard about all that from Elias and Evie."

"Um, I was asking more about your religion, but I take it you're not Roman Catholic, either."

"Oh, right. My family is Church of England but, like you, I'm lapsed."

"We observe at Easter and Christmas because Dad likes to include us in all that but none of us would voluntarily go to Church. Oh, crap."

"What?"

"I have to go to confession on Sunday."

"Confession?"

"'Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.'"

"Haha... for real?"

"'My last confession was four months ago and these are my sins.'"

"And what will you confess to this time?"

"Probably the same as last time because I keep making the same mistakes. You'd think I'd have learnt my lesson the first time but no, I keep repeating them just to make sure that they really were mistakes."

"Such as?"

"I lied too much."

"You could probably write a book including them all, huh?"

"A book? Sweetie, it's an entire library, not just a book."

"What's the biggest lie?"

"Well, in recent months it's just been one lie but it's been told continuously."

"And?"

"Hey, I only confess to Father McGuire."

"Damn it."

"Jealous?"

"Just a little. I wanted to know all your dirty secrets."

"I don't think you could handle my dirty secrets."

"Try me."

"Um, uh... I can't actually think of one."

"Liar."

"No, honestly! I can't."

"C'mon, Soph, just one secret."

"Um... oh, wait! I've got one. I once drank my father's entire collection of decades old whiskey and my friends and I got majorly drunk. Dad went spare and grounded me for life."

"You're still grounded?"

"Metaphorically speaking. He did make me pay for all the alcohol we drank. Went in to the thousands, too."

"That wasn't as scandalous as I was hoping it would be."

"Well, what are your sins?"

"I keep having these dreams."

"About?"

"Someone that I shouldn't be dreaming about."

"And what happens in the dreams?"

"Things."

"Things?"

"Lots of things."

"Your sins are worse than mine. You should go to Confession."

"Maybe I could come with you."

"What, on Sunday?"

"Yeah."

"But you're not Roman Catholic."

"Is that a requirement?"

"Yeah, kinda."

"You're not a Roman Catholic."

"I was raised as one."

"And? You're not any more, so if you can go, why can't I?"

"Fine, come if you want to. St. Patrick's in Soho Square."

"Time?"

"Eleven am."

"I'll be there."

"God, I hope you change your mind."

"Why, you don't want me there?"

"Kinda."

"Harsh."

"No, it's just... the others- people that go to the Church and that have known me since I was a kid- they'll start asking questions if I turn up with a guy."

"Questions?"

"Yeah, you know. Who is he? Is he your boyfriend? Are you engaged? When are you getting married? Will you be having children in the near future?"

"I'll stay away if you want."

"Or you could come."

"But the questions?"

"His name is Daniel. No, he's not my boyfriend. No, we aren't engaged. There won't be a wedding any time soon and children are not on the cards. See, easy."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it'll be fine. I can make it work. Plus, I can't wait to see you face to face."

"That sounds rather threatening."

"Maybe it is. I've got all my notes from my meeting with Connie, Elias and Evie to go over with you and get your take on them. It feels like I haven't seen you in years."

"Then I'll be at Mass, eleven am sharp."

"What are you doing for Sunday lunch?"

"Um, I'm not sure. Probably go to Connie's."

"Well, if you survive Mass, you're mote than welcome to come and join us for a crazy afternoon."

"Crazy?"

"When we're all together, it gets mad."

"Count me in. There's not enough madness in my life."

"Done. I should go jump into the shower now. Need to get ready for Church."

"Haha, still can't believe that you go."

"You're the one that volunteered to come on Sunday."

"I know."

"You'll regret it."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Guess so. Right, I'm off. Talk to you tomorrow. Make sure you have enough material for Confession, Daniel."

"You too, Sophie."

"Don't worry about me. I'll almost give Father McGuire a heart attack."

"I knew you were holding back on me!"

"Haha. Bye, Daniel."

"Bye, Soph."