Chapter 66

Emily POV

Sophie puts her hands on her hips and says, "Emily, you're coming with me, no arguments," while I sit slouched on the couch.

My eyebrows go up. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

Sophie gives a cheeky smile. "We're getting you out of this house, away from all this madness. What would you think about a little adventure?"

"I'm not sure, Sophie." She's already getting her keys as I ramble on.

She virtually drags me to the door as she pulls me up. "No objections. For once, we're going to try something new. Let's have some fun and help you decompress. First stop: horse riding!"

My face is brushed by the warm breeze as I mount a horse that has a chestnut color. I stand beside Sophie, tinkering with the reins.

"It's unbelievable that I haven't gone riding in years." Sophie adjusts her helmet and laughs. "Let's see if we can remember how not to fall off."

I laugh, experiencing a rush of excitement. "I'll try my best not to embarrass myself."

After a brief overview from the instructor, we soon find ourselves trotting across the field. As my horse, Ember, moves elegantly beneath me, I start to unwind and let go of the burden I've been bearing all day. Sophie's face lights up with excitement as she laughs as her horse accelerates.

"Look at you!" She yells as she rides up next to me. "You look like you're actually having fun!"

My shoulders start to relax, and I smile. "Maybe I am."

After a while, we work our way up to a gallop from a trot. Sophie's happiness is infectious, and before long, we're both giggling like kids while taking in the excitement of riding and the freedom of the vast field.

We go to a shooting range after our horseback ride. As we enter, I pause, but Sophie smiles confidently and prods me on.

She encourages, "Come on, this will be therapeutic," and hands me a pair of headphones.

After settling into our booth, Sophie demonstrates the correct way for me to aim the rifle. "Think of all the people who've been driving you crazy," she says with a wink, "and channel that frustration."

I feel like a burden is being lifted from my shoulders with every pull of the trigger. It's almost calming, the loud snap of the shots, the concentration it demands. As I prepare for my next shot, I take a deep breath and steady my hands. Sophie watches as I hit closer and closer to the center of the target, smiling approvingly.

"Who knew you had a good shot in you?" Sophie teases.

I try not to smile as I roll my eyes. "Maybe I just have a lot of motivation."

As she reloads her gun, she laughs and asks, "Isn't that the truth?"

We give each other high fives for our surprisingly good aim as we finish at the shooting range. I feel less stressed and more alive. The power of a little adrenaline is astounding.

The bowling alley is our next destination. I'm determined to outdo Sophie, even if she insists on wiping the floor with me.

While setting up my shot, I tease, "Let's see if you're all talk, Sophie."

"Oh, it's on!" she responds, taking up her ball and wearing an overly focused expression.

My ball spins directly into the pins with a satisfying smash as I slide it down the alley. A strike! Sophie rolls her eyes when I turn to her and smile triumphantly.

"Beginner's luck," she mutters playfully, stepping up for her turn.

We chuckle every time one of us bowls a gutter ball or barely misses a spare during our amicable contest, which lasts for the next hour. By the end of it, Sophie is bouncing up and down with enthusiasm as she wins the game by a slim margin, and my cheeks hurt from smiling.

She screams, "Win!" and raises her fist in the air.

I chuckle, "Okay, you got me this time. But I'm coming for that title the next time."

The go-kart track is our last destination. With our helmets securely fastened, Sophie and I strap into a kart. She smiles competitively as she revs her engine next to me.

"Are you prepared to lose?" she taunts.

"You hope!" Grasping the wheel, I respond with a shout.

We push off quickly, swerving around one another to try to get ahead as the race starts. Sophie looks over her shoulder and laughs as she pulls ahead. But when I swerve around a bend and pass her, my competitive nature comes out and I catch up.

"Hey! Not fair!" She chuckles and presses the accelerator.

As the wind whips by, I experience the exhilaration of speed and the straightforward delight of competing against my closest buddy. We both flush with excitement as we pull into the pit area, laughing as we finish neck and neck.

Sophie takes off her helmet and says, "Well, maybe you're not so bad after all."

I respond, still gasping for air, "I could say the same about you."

I feel lighter than I have in days as we exit the track and make our way back to the car. My pulse is pounding with excitement, and my head is clear. Sophie gives me a knowing smile as she glances at me.

"You see? There are times when you simply must go outside and have a little fun."

I give her a shoulder rub and say, "Thank you, Soph. This was exactly what I needed."

She puts her arm around my shoulders and says, "Anytime. Em, you've been carrying a lot recently. Remember that you are permitted to enjoy yourself as well."

I nod, overwhelmed with appreciation for her. Sophie has a knack of pulling me back from the brink no matter how tumultuous things get.

My phone buzzes in my purse as we fasten our seatbelts and prepare to leave for home. I pull it out, frowning as I see the caller ID. It comes from an unidentified number.

"Who might that be?" Sophie leans over to look at the television and asks.

"I'm not sure." I put the phone to my ear and answer after a little pause. "Hello?"

"Emily?" The other person's voice sounds weak and strained. It's a second before I realize.

"Mum?" My heart beats faster. "What's the matter?"

After a lengthy silence, Margo's voice finally emerges, tremulous and filled with agony. "I am... I'm at the hospital."

A wave of panic rises through my chest. "Hospital? What happened, mum?"

She inhales nervously. "I haven't felt good for a long time. Didn't want to worry you. But it got worse today, and they said I should get it checked out."

My face is stiff when I look at Sophie. She obviously understands the seriousness of the call, as she gives me a worried expression.

"Which hospital are you at?" I ask, attempting to speak steadily.

She murmurs, "St. Mark's. I didn't want to call, but"

I tell her, "You made the right decision," as I start to grab my belongings. "I will be there shortly."

I hang up and turn to face Sophie, who is staring at me with wide eyes. "Margo is in the hospital," I say in a strained voice.

Sophie nods and softens her expression while holding onto my arm. "Let's go."