Free THE DREAM CHILD by Emma Daniels

Vic asked Sophie.
    “How about five o’clock?” Vera answered for her. “That should give us plenty of time. Is that all right with you, Sophie?”
    Sophie nodded. As she was about to turn away from Vic to begin unpacking her gear, he touched her arm. She glanced up into his face and he gave her a reassuring smile, and squeezed her arm.
    She nodded her thanks.
    To her surprise, Sophie enjoyed the afternoon.
    All three women were keen to learn. She soon found out why Vera had had so much trouble with plain loops. She hadn’t been taught how to do them properly. Her previous teacher obviously shouldn’t have been in the business, Sophie thought, but didn’t comment on it, she merely showed Vera how to hold her pliers correctly. Before long she was joining bead units like a pro, creating a lovely linked necklace out of Check and Swarovski beads.
    The other women were completely new to the craft, so Sophie got them making a floating necklace with crimps. They enjoyed the experience, and Sophie found herself relaxing, until James wandered into the room for a sticky beak. Luckily he didn’t stay long, but Sophie felt heartened by his comment that Vera’s necklace looked quite professional.
    They worked right through until four o’clock, when Vera announced that it was time for tea. Her friends had completed their necklaces and were already wearing them, but Vera still had a clasp to attach.
    “I’ll do it after we’ve had a nice cuppa. Maybe then I can close those jump rings with a clearer head,” Vera said.
    Sophie had to concur she was probably right. Two hours straight was a long time, and their concentration and coordination had waned. She too was looking forward to a nice cup of coffee, but when Vera bought out trays of cakes and biscuits she was stunned by the effort the older woman had gone to.
    Of course there were plenty left over and Vera offered to pack them up so everyone could take some home.
    “Oh no, I couldn’t,” Sophie protested.
    “Oh yes you will. You look like you’re in need of a good feed. You’re far too thin,” Vera said.
    Sophie had never considered herself thin. Her large bust always seemed to make her feel top heavy, but she supposed her fitted jeans did slim her lower half down, and she had been off her food for the past few weeks.
    “So how long have you worked with Victor?” Vera asked, setting her tea cup down.
    “Not long, only since he arrived. We’re both new to the section.”
    ‘And do you like the work?”
    “Yes, but I prefer what we did today.”
    “Well, that brings me to my point. Would you like to come again next Sunday? I would really like to make a matching bracelet and earrings.”
    “Yes,” Janice agreed. “I’d like to learn to do what Vera made today. That necklace is really beautiful.”
    “Which she still needs to finish,” Sophie reminded her. “Well, if it’s all right with you, then yes, I would like to do another class.”
    “Great, that’s settled then. We might even make it a regular event, eh girls?” Vera said to her friends.
    “Maybe not every single weekend,” Sophie said. “Sometimes family does come up.”
    “Oh yes, of course, I fully understand. But the extra income would always be welcome, wouldn’t it?”
    “I don’t need the money that much. I’ll just reinvest it in more beads.”
    They all laughed.
    “I can see this as becoming quiet an addiction,” Ninette remarked.
    “Oh, you have no idea. Once upon a time I lived and breathed beads,” Sophie admitted.
    “Why did you stop?” Vera asked.
    “I got married,” Sophie admitted.
    “Oh, you’re married,” Vera’s eyes widened. “Now why did I get the impression you were single?”
    “I’m divorced.” Sophie could tell from the slight frown marring her brow that didn’t go down too well. No doubt Vera came from the old school believing that you stuck by your man no matter what. Either that or she was one of the lucky few who still loved her husband and he