2 September 2012
Chapter 6:
Cindy gave me the day off the next Saturday as she wanted a rest, but I decided to take some flowers over for Maggie. When Cindy called she seemed upset about something and wasn't her usual chirpy self. When I came to her front door I questioned if seeing her may not be such a good idea but thought she may need some support if something was wrong.
When she opened the door I immediately noticed the bags under her eyes and how her face drooped slightly.
"Sophia. What are you doing here?" "I'm so sorry Cindy, I didn't mean to bother you but I brought some flowers over for Maggie. Is she any better?" "oh well that's very kind of you. Please, come in."
Cindy's house was a lot different to the boutique. It was a medium sized house with pretty flowers along the front garden and inside was still very welcoming but a lot more old fashioned then Blushing Brides. Cindy joined me in the living room with a cup of tea.
"So, Sophia, thank you for coming. You see Maggie hasn't been well for a while, she's been coughing badly and at first we thought she had a chest infection or something along those lines but it hasn't seemed to pass. She just turned sixty three the other week and is still extremely healthy." I nodded trying to absorb all this information about the Maggie who I seemed to care about a lot, despite the fact we'd never even met. "I took her to the doctors several times but the medication doesn't seem to be doing anything so they're keeping her in hospital for a while to monitor her." I felt so terrible for Cindy that she was having to deal with this all by herself. I wanted to help her as I felt she needed someone to fall back on, like Maggie relied in her. "I'm really sorry to hear that...just know that I'm here for you and if you need anything, you know where I am." "well thank you, that means a lot." replied Cindy, cupping my hands within hers. "when I called Maddy, oh that's the other intern, to tell her not to come in she couldn't even be bothered to answer the phone. I rely on her for so many important jobs and she continues to let me down. I just wish she could behave more like you." I felt proud that Cindy noticed my hard work and motivation. My parents brought me up to act properly and work hard no matter what the job was and I was so glad they did. "well, don't worry too much about Maddy. If she clears off and leaves you stranded just know that I could come in a bit more and help you out." The words rolled off my tongue and I realised as soon as I finished my sentence that I was already behind with my uni work. "look, Cindy why don't I take you to see Maggie? You can stay as long as you like and I'll bring you back home." "oh no, I don't want to be a bother. I'll just take the bus later on," "no Cindy please. I insist."
Cindy couldn't say no and she directed me to the hospital where Maggie was staying. I brought the flowers with me and decided to drop them off and then leave the two alone to chat.
Maggie shared a room with a few other people, their only separation a curtain and visiting a hospital always left me feeling melancholy. Maggie was a skinny woman with light blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She greeted us both with a smile and automatically guessed who I was. " hello!" Cindy cried out, they both looked so happy to see each other, "how are you Magz?" "yes I'm ok. I take it this is Sophia, the new intern?" asked Maggie, she had such a friendly face I just wanted to give her a big hug. "yes it's lovely to meet you Maggie. I'm so sorry your not feeling well, but I'm sure they're doing a great job for you here." I held onto her hand gently as she sat up on the bed. "oh yes they're fab. So how's things? The shop ok?" "yes all going very well, Sophia's doing a wonderful job already, better than that Maddy. I know now's not a great time Magz but I really think she's had her chance and I can't keep waiting for her to shape up. I think it's time she moved on, don't you?"
I began to feel awkward being involved in this conversation that was brought on so quickly and so scurried off to buy some snacks for Maggie and Cindy. I could tell Cindy appreciated my efforts to comfort her but knew that she had to discuss the important business with her partner and get the worries off her chest. I came back with two bottles of water and some chocolates hoping this would be ok.
"ooh Sophia thank you so much for the beautiful flowers. We were just saying how you must have brought some good luck with you as the nurse is discharging me tomorrow!" both Cindy's face and Maggie's lit up and they were both looking much better. "oh that is good news, I can't wait to get to know you better once you're back in the shop working away."
I left Cindy and went home as she said she had a lot to catch up on with her sister and that the bus ride home was very short.
I was so glad to relax once I got home and sit down with my family. It was a precious time we each valued when all six of us could be together having fun. I didn't show Cindy my designs that day as I thought she had enough on her plate, but at some point wanted to get her opinion on my work. Maybe someday I could make something of them.
by vera©
The Wedding Shop • Opuss № I