Ash reached out to her niece, her hand trembling. “Sophie. Shit, I’m sorry, I…”
Sophie looked skyward, then shook her head. “It’s okay. It’s…” She huffed out a breath.
Carmen wasn’t sure what was going on but knew it didn’t concern her. She took a step back.
“No, it’s okay.” Sophie gently pulled her back in. “I don’t mind you knowing. Although Auntie Ash could have been a bit more subtle about it.”
Ash looked mortified. “Sophie, really, I didn’t mean it to come out like that.” She rubbed at the back of her neck. “I’ve just got so used to being so open with you about it, I forgot where we were and who we were with. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
Sophie slipped her arms around Ash’s waist and hugged her. “It’s all right.”
Ash held her tight, her eyes closed.
Carmen’s throat constricted. The love these two shared for each other was incredible to witness.
Sophie let go of her aunt and looked sheepishly over at Carmen. “Sorry, too much drama. We can go now.”
Carmen smiled. “You take your time. You’re obviously sharing something important, so…” She shrugged.
“Yeah, I guess it is.” Sophie scuffed at the ground with her sneakers. She looked back up at Carmen. “I’m working through some stuff. About my sexuality.” Her face was bright pink, but she held her head up high. “And Auntie Ash is being a massive support.” She smiled. “Even if she does have a big mouth sometimes.”
Oh, wow. Carmen’s heart lurched. How can a teenager seem so calm about this when I’m freaking out? “I’m sure she is,” Carmen managed to squeeze out. “She’s good at that.”
Ash blushed.
“And I’m in awe of you, Sophie, for being so confident. And about being okay to tell me. Thank you.”
“No worries.” Sophie’s phone pinged, and she pulled it from her pocket. She groaned. “That’s Mum. Wants to know how long I’m going to be.” She looked over at Ash. “God knows what she’ll be like with me after all that stupid crap yesterday, but I guess I’d better get going.”
Ash grimaced. “I know. You can message me anytime, yeah?”
Sophie nodded.
“All right, then let’s get you on that train.”
They walked the remaining couple of minutes in an easy silence and said goodbye to Sophie in the large entranceway to the station. Thankfully it was after the worst of rush hour, so although busy, it wasn’t too crowded with people.
To Carmen’s surprise, Sophie gave her a quick hug as well as Ash. “It was nice meeting you.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Sophie. Have a safe trip home.”
“I will. And yes,” Sophie said as Ash opened her mouth, “I’ll be careful, and I’ll message as soon as I’ve met Mum.”
Ash grinned. Once Sophie was out of sight, she turned to Carmen. “Thank you so much. For all of that.”
“Oh, no problem. She’s a wonderful young woman.”
“She really is.” Ash bowed her head. “She’s going through some crap right now, and I feel awful for outing her like that.”
“She forgave you. And you didn’t do it with any malice.”
“I know. But still…” Ash exhaled. “Come on. Let’s go get that glass of wine, yes?”
Carmen’s heart rate picked up. “Sure, I’d love to.”
Chapter 19
It took them only a few minutes to backtrack a little towards the studio and reach the wine bar about three streets away.
Ash’s mind whirled the whole way. God, how could I have let slip what Sophie is going through? Jesus. It’s bad enough her mum’s making it difficult for her without me making it worse .
She was grateful, however, that Sophie had remained relatively unruffled—and also that Carmen had made it all seem so everyday. Thank God she didn’t express anything but support for Sophie too . She couldn’t have imagined Carmen doing anything else, though. If there was one thing Carmen seemed okay with, it was everyone being who they were, with no judgement from her on whatever that was.
“Will Sophie be okay? I mean, with me knowing about what she’s dealing with at the moment?”
Ash smiled. “She will. I’m so proud of her for the way she’s handling the whole thing.”
“She seems so level-headed.”
“She is. It’s amazing. Her mum—my sister, Courtney—has her ups and downs, and she’s not taking it very well right now. But Sophie’s just standing up for herself at every turn. Don’t get me wrong; she’s had some moments with it, both in coming to terms with it herself and about what other people might think, especially at school.”
For a moment, Carmen blanched, then composed her features. It was so quick, Ash almost missed it, but before she could question the reaction, Carmen asked, “And her mum’s struggling?”
Ash’s chuckle lacked mirth. “Oh yeah.” She told Carmen about the disaster the day before.
“Oh my God, how embarrassing! For everyone. What on earth was your sister thinking?” Carmen stopped walking. “Sorry, that was rather presumptuous of me. I don’t have any right to go around criticising your family or—”
Ash laughed and shook her head. “Oh no, be my guest. I’m pretty sure you’d be a lot nicer about her than I’m feeling right now.”
Carmen nodded. “Okay.”
They continued walking.
“It must be so hard for Sophie.”
“God, thank you. That means a lot, that your first thought in all of this was for Sophie.”
“Well, of course. I remember my brother coming out. I know my mother is much better about it now, but it was a pretty hard time for him to begin with.”
Ash glowed with the warmth of Carmen’s words and, in fact, Carmen’s whole demeanour this evening. Apart from that one moment, she seemed self-assured, calm, and free of whatever had troubled her the previous week. Ash wouldn’t push, but if the conversation led to a point where she could ask, she’d do it. A friend would, right?
They reached the bar a minute later.
“Now, I only read about this place, and it sounded interesting. I don’t know anyone who’s been.” Ash held open the door for Carmen. “So if it’s
