Read Online Skinny Dipping by Alicia M Kaye - Free Book Online

turned into two, three or quite possibly even ten. Sophie would stagger home around midnight – if she was lucky.
    Jessica ordered her usual burger and Sophie bought a salad.
    “Since when do you eat salad on Fridays?” Jessica asked, eyeing her carefully.
    Sophie shrugged. “Just felt like something fresh, she said. The fear of getting in the water with Matthew Silver was huge but she would also have to expose her body, both bottom and thighs in some sort of swimsuit. She just needed to buy the right one. She contemplated asking Jessica, but it wasn’t really the type of conversation to have with a work colleague, was it? She also wanted to lose a few kilograms fast, and the quickest way to do that was to commit. She could commit to vegetables – not to a man.
    “This is our traditional burger day, to line your stomach. Kelly’s suggested drinks tonight, farewell drinks for the people who got made redundant.”
    “There’s no one even around. They’ve all left the building,” Sophie said, incredulously. “How is it a farewell when they’ve already been walked out, they’re gone?” she said, without a shred of enthusiasm. “It’s just an excuse for a drink, really.”
    “Touchy,” Jessica said. “Problems at home?”
    Sophie laughed. “It’s all fine.” Sophie said, her voice a little shaky. The problem with Jessica was that she fished for information. She’d start asking one question which would lead to an answer, then she’d ask something else and before Sophie would know it, she’d spill her guts.
    “I mean, Derek’s being the same. Just Derek stuff,” Sophie continued.
    “I see.” Jessica bit into her burger, sauce dribbling over the side of the bun. “How did he like you going to the gala night? Was he happy? Mad at you?”
    Jessica was frightfully close to the truth. Sophie moved her food around her plate, a little bit of lettuce to the edge of the plate, as she decided how to respond. “You know, he was his usual self. Doesn’t like my love for Jamie Oliver.”
    “He’s always been jealous. He even hates your promotion, and anything taking you away from ‘Derek time.’”
    Sophie nodded. “That’s the understatement of the century. It’s kind of cute I guess, he must love me?”
    “Is he going to chuck you over it?”
    Sophie looked up, seeing Jessica’s steely gaze. She felt a little unsettled, how did she always know these things?
    “It’s not off the cards.”
    “The chucking?”
    Sophie nodded, her heart squeezing. She’d already been chucked. “Who knows? I might ditch him.”
    “Sure,” Jessica said, but Sophie knew she didn’t believe her.
    “You know, I got the strangest call yesterday. When you were at home, supposedly getting dressed and ready for the gala night.”
    “Um..., yeah..., so,” Sophie mumbled.
    “Well, this girl rang up the firm, looking for a Sophie Smart. That’s you.” Jessica held Sophie’s gaze. “Carol Cartwright. That was the girl’s name.”
    Sophie stiffened, watching Jessica’s eyes on her, looking for a reaction. What precisely did Jessica know? Sophie tried to keep her expression blank, normal, like nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Show no flicker of emotion. “Let me continue, this Carol, she asked if you worked at Clarks . You see, she’d just spoken to you, and wanted to call you back you see, because you were having a flat interview.” Jessica paused. “This Carol wanted to make sure Sophie Smart got the right directions, didn’t want her to be late you see, as she had an audition soon after you were supposed to arrive. Carol seemed most considerate, wouldn’t you think?”
    A lump caught in Sophie’s throat. “Sounds considerate.”
    “Did you see her room?”
    “Got to check my options out.”
    “So did you take it?” Jessica asked pointedly.
    Sophie moved pieces of tomato round the plate, contemplating their redness, feeling violently ill. Now this was precisely why she always refused to eat