Simply Red

Andy will do anything to make Sophie happy, but some things are just beyond his capabilities – or control

- Tess Niland Kimber

RIGHT . . . you want me to buy you a new lipstick.” Andy couldn’t let Sophie see that it fazed him. “What colour?”

“Simply Red,” she said, from under the king-size striped duvet. She was resting before tonight’s party. “To match my dress.”

Andy smiled. Of course – he should have guessed.

“Right, a red lipstick.”

“Do you mind?” Her big blue eyes looked even larger in her pale face since she’d been ill. “Oh Andy, I’ve only just left hospital. Do you think it’s too early? Should we . . .?”

“No,” he reassured her. “It’s what the doctor ordered.” She smiled, tentatively, as he added, “Just concentrate on having a good time tonight. You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ve done it all. Food, invites, cleaning.”

“But–”

“You can’t cancel, Soph. It’s not every day a girl gets to celebrate.”

“Shh! I’m at the age where the numbers are silent.”

“I think,” he smiled, perching on the bed and squeezing her hand, “you should paint this number all over the house.”

“Or advertise how old I’ll be on a sheet on the circle at the end of the road?”

“Now there’s an idea.”

“Andy!”

He smiled and kissed the top of her blonde head, still unused to the feel of her crew cut. “Well, I’m proud of the number,” he said. “There were times I thought . . .”

“. . . I wouldn’t make it?” She grinned. “You, Andy Roberts, can’t get rid of me that easily.”

He swallowed. Hard. “I don’t want to – ever . . . One lipstick coming right up.”