After the Tram crash chapter 12.
As usual all the characters belong to ITV.
Rating 14.
Sonia and Julie visit Coronation Street
It was Saturday. Julie woke and dressed. She was excited, looking forward to seeing where her new sister had come from, but she also felt slightly queasy. She put it down to nerves.
Sonia woke ten minutes later. Excited but nervous was how she felt. She had no knowledge of life outside her home and school. It was a local primary. It was populated with country kids. They were in awe of her because they knew where her parents had come from, like most country kids they were a little frightened of the City, they knew Sonia's parents came from a nasty part of the city. They also knew, now, that she had a new sister from, what seemed to them to be, an equally nasty part of the city. Yeah Sonia had respect at school.
They both went downstairs to find their mums. Tanya and Emma were just stirring in bed.
Julie went to the loo and came out looking worried.
Sophie and Sian were in the kitchen making themselves breakfast. Julie and Sonia came down to join them.
”You two want breakfast?” asked Sian.
”Please.” came the joint reply.
”What do you want?” said Sophie.
Tanya and Emma arrived downstairs having quickly showered and dressed.
”Readybrek please.” said Sonia.
”Cornflakes please.” said Julie.
”Morning you two. We were just getting Sonia and Julie breaky.” said Sian.
Sophie put some milk in a pan for the Readybrek. She put the pan on the hotplate.
Sian put cornflakes in a bowl and took them and the milk over to Julie.
Tanya leant against the door jamb. Emma stood near the doorway and smiled. They were both observing Sophie and Sian running round getting breakfast for Sonia and Julie.
”OK Julie and Sonia marks out of ten for Sophie and Sian's parenting skills.” said Tanya once both of them were sat down with their breakfasts.
”Twelve!!” said Soia.
”Ten.” said Julie flatly.
”Julie? You OK?” said Emma.
”Feeling a bit ill and pee'd some blood or I think I did.” said Julie.
”Julie, could the blood have come from somewhere else?” Sophie asked before thinking proper1y.
Tanya felt very grateful for Sophie's direct approach.
”Yeah I'm not sure where it came from really.” said Julie
”OK, we probably know what it is. We talked about this last year, remember Julie?” soothed Emma, “Oh and I am giving Sophie 15 out of 10 for her handling of that.”
”OH” said Julie “and yeah definitely a 15!”
”It's OK Julie, come with me.” Tanya lead Julie from the room.
”What's going on?” Sonia was curious.
”Well” said Emma “we talked about how girls bodies change as the go through their early teens remember?”
Sonia nodded.
”And we talked about monthly cycles?”
Sonia nodded again.
”Well I think Julie is just starting hers.” said Emma “She may be a bit moody for a few days – just try be understanding.”
Tanya returned with Julie who seemed a bit brighter now she knew there was nothing wrong. Just natural rhythms and growing up.
After they had finished their breakfasts and put the dishes into the dishwasher Sophie phoned Rosie.
“Hi its me.” said Sophie.
”Oh hi Sophie.” and then fainter “it's my sister”
”Oh not alone then, whose the unlucky guy?”
”Her name is Jane met her at Janice's in the gay village.
”OH! Welcome!! You staying or just visiting?”
Rosie laughed and said “Don't know yet.”
”Right, is it all right if I bring the family over in half an hour or so?”
”Yeah, I should think so. Look forward to seeing them again.”
”OK see you bye.”
”See you.”
Everyone got into the Disco. Sophie and Sian volunteered to sit on the two fold down seats in the back so Julie could be comfortable.
In Weatherfield Rosie was explaining Sophie to Jane.
”My sister Sophie's coming over with her girlfriend Sian and Sophie's foster family.”
”Is that girlfriend as in..”
”Yes, they're a couple. They've been together for nearly a year now.”
”Bloody hell, must be nice for her having had you go through it first.
”Probably would have been if I had But I didn't – you're my first.”
”Bloody Nora! Did you get sex tips from her then?”
”No, it just seemed to come naturally, and being with someone experienced helped.”
Jane blushed. “Not that experienced – only 'solo practice'.”
Both girls laughed.
They finished breakfast in silence.
Meanwhile Emma was driving the Disco through Weatherfield. And turned into Coronation Street.
”What's that?” Julie asked pointing at Underworld.
”That's where my mum worked.” said Sophie “They make clothing, she used to operate a sewing machine.”
They reached no 4 and parked. They all got out and Sophie walked up to the familiar front door. Knocking on it felt strange. In the past she'd just unlocked it and entered.
Rosie answered the door. She and Sophie hugged and were joined by Sian.
”Come in all of you.” said Rosie.
They all went in to the house and stood in the small front room.
”Would you two like to see where I slept when I lived here?” Sophie asked Julie and Sonia.
Julie just nodded. Sonia was completely passive.
They followed Sophie upstairs.
Sonia and Julie looked round the room in silence.
They went downstairs.
”Mum did you grow up in a house like this?” asked Julie.
”This house is palatial compared to the two-room flat my parents had.” said Tanya.
”Mum remind me never to take where we live for granted, please!” said Julie.
Jane turned to Rosie. “What are they on about?” she asked.
”The house where they live is quite big, they've just realised that not all houses are like that.” replied Rosie.
”Jane, do come tomorrow with Rosie.” said Tanya.
”I will. What's going on?” Jane said.
”Party for everyone around here and a few other people.” said Emma.
"Where are my manners? Brew everyone?" said Rosie. Everyone nodded.
Rosie went through to the kitchen and made tea.
After she returned with mugs for everyone, they all chatted for a time. Jane was fascinated to hear about Emma's background and both the women's jobs. She worked for a local supermarket on the till and lived with her parents not far away.
”Right let's get some lunch, does the Rovers have a family room?” asked Tanya. It was nearly half past one, where did the time go?
”No, afraid not and Roy's isn't licenced, nor is Prima Donner.” said Rosie
”Let's see if Roy and Hayley will let us bring booze in.” said Tanya.
”OK, I'll go and ask.” said Sian. But she was contradicted by the group who all left together.
The group walked down the road towards Roy's Rolls, the three couples holding hands. As they passed the Rovers they noticed Steve McDonald standing outside.
”Hi Steve, all set for tomorrow?” asked Emma.
”Yeah, I've heard about your place. We'll all be there. Where are you off to now?” replied Steve.
”Roy's to find out if they'll let us bring booze in to have with lunch.” said Sophie.
”We do food.” said Steve.
”Yeah but you don't have a family room where we could take the kids.” said Tanya
”Ah! Yeah good point.” said Steve.
Steve then noticed Rosie's hand interlocked with Jane. “Oh, is this lesbian thing contagious? If it is keep away from Becky!” He asked.
”Only if you want it to be.” said Rosie with a huge smile on her face.
”Roy's it is then.” said Sophie.
Tanya walked into Roy's Rolls slightly ahead of the rest, as it was a Saturday Roy and Hayley were both serving.
”Hello. Would there be a problem if we brought some booze in to have with our meal?” She asked.
”No one's ever asked that before.” said Roy, “There's a lack of precedents and policy.”
”Oh Roy, I'll make the policy, yes you can” said Hayley “and that'll make precedent.”
”Come with me, I'll show you where to get some booze.” said Sophie “You too Julie and Sonia, I want to show you where I used to work.”
”You used to work instead of school?” Julie was puzzled.
”Not instead of, as well as. It was my idea, I wanted to earn some money for myself.” replied Sophie.
Tanya and an awestruck Julie and Sonia left the caff. They headed for the Alahan's shop where Sunita was serving.
”Hello Sophie!!” Sunita ran round from the till and embraced Sophie warmly. “How are you? What have you been up to?” a shower questions poured from Sunita.
”I'm brilliant, very happy!” exclaimed Sophie “Let me introduce some people to you.”
Sophie introduced Tanya, Julie and Sonia to Sunita.
”You and Dev are coming tomorrow right and the kids?” asked Sophie.
”Oh yeah, wouldn't miss it for the world.” replied Sunita. In fact she and Dev had had a row about it, he wanted to keep the shop open. She'd won of course, she always did.
Tanya selected a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white.
After paying for the wine the group rejoined the rest at Roy's.
During the meal Julie asked a question.
”Do you think I could get a job like Sophie did.”
Tanya and Emma smiled at each other, Sophie was having just the influence they had hoped she would have.
”I was 15 at the time, though, and I had to make sure it didn't interfere with my school work.” said Sophie.
”You're not old enough yet, but when you are provided it doesn't interfere with your school work then yes. But we'll have to think about where, it should be somewhere near home like Sophie's was.” said Emma.
”Did you two have jobs at that age?” asked Sonia.
”You could say that.” said Emma who's work at 15 had been less than legal.
”I worked in a shop like Sophie did.” said Tanya quickly to divert attention from what Emma had just said.
Emma smiled at Tanya and remembered what a good influence she had been.
Sophie put the question of what Emma had done aside for later.
They finished their meals and went out on to the street. It was time to go, they had shopping for gym kit to do.
They all said goodbyes and 'see you tomorrow' with hugs all round.
Emma, Tanya, Sonia, Julie, Sophie and Sian got into the Disco and left for central Manchester.
After they had done the shopping they headed home.
Sophie and Sian put their gym kit in the changing room. They were too tired to try it out now and tomorrow was going to be a big day.
Tomorrow the party and some surprising connections from which Susan finds grounds.