Sofia tried to hide her smile.
‘You can talk. We never got any of the juicy details about your evening with Thanassis, the hot fisherman.’
‘No, and you’re never going to.’
‘Spoilsport.’
Sofia looked down at the empty glasses on the table.
‘Have you two had a nice time, chatting?’
Charlotte smiled up at her.
‘Lovely, thanks. We took Adonis at his word and ordered cocktails.’
Sofia clapped her hands together.
‘Good. I’m starving now though. Shall we go out?’
‘Sorting things can give you a right old appetite, I’m told.’
Sofia ignored Maddie’s remark.
‘I’ve got a car waiting downstairs to take us to the next part of my treat.’
The car dropped them off at an isolated beach with a small white-boarded restaurant and tables right on the sand.
There were candles on every tabletop and plenty of couples staring into each other’s eyes. They were shown to a spot right on the front row facing the water, with nothing between them and millions of gallons of sea but a strip of sand.
‘What a romantic setting!’ Charlotte stared out to sea. ‘Shame it’s just us three.’
Sofia reached out for both their hands.
‘It’s not a shame at all. Let’s be proud to be three women here together. It’s a celebration of our friendship and our love for each other, if that’s not too sickly greeting card for you.’
‘It is a bit.’ Maddie smiled at both her friends. ‘But it’s a gorgeous idea. Fifty years is one hell of a long time to know each other. We’ve outlasted husbands, countless relationships and numerous court appearances. And that’s just you, Sof.’
‘Hilarious.’
‘But seriously, I want to thank you two for supporting me so much over the past year. I know I’ve been a crabby cow at times, but you’ve always been there at the other end of a phone for me, no matter what. Tony would have been very proud of the two of you.’
Sofia grabbed a menu and fanned herself with it.
‘Don’t set me off before we’ve even ordered a drink.’
‘Or me.’ Charlotte leaned forward and grabbed Sofia’s hand.
‘I want to thank you too, Sof, for organising this whole trip. I’d certainly never have got it together, but it’s come at just the right time for me…’ Charlotte’s voice trailed away. ‘And now you both know why.’
Maddie squeezed Sofia’s other hand.
‘Me too. More than you know.’
Maybe tonight would be a good time to tell them about the rift with her son.
‘Me three.’ Sofia squeezed back. ‘I need you two now like I’ve never needed you. I’ve only got to work out what to do with the rest of my life. Simple.’
‘We’re all at a strange place in our lives, aren’t we?’ Maddie smiled at her friends. ‘And we’ve all got some big decisions to make. Without going all philosophical on you both, life’s been a little bit crazy recently, but there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet.’
