A SHORT STORY BY RACHEL MURRAY .sx Thomas and Sophie .sx Love is supposed to be blind and , in the case of the Thomsons , never was a truer word spoken .sx Their friends only hoped the young couple's illusions would never be shattered .sx .. Thomas was getting past it .sx He was pot-bellied , receding and irritable .sx His digestion was poor , he had a rash round his chin , his eyes were bloodshot and his once blond hair was a nondescript hay colour .sx Not , you might think , the ideal mate for a luscious little woman like Sophie , with her raven hair , big blue eyes and undulating figure ; but , as their friends could recall , she used to be overweight , with mousy hair and spots .sx It was marriage to the dynamic Thomas Thomson from Advertising , that brought out her latent beauty .sx She dieted rigidly , had her hair tinted , took a course of skin treatments and , by the time Thomas put up capital for her boutique , she could wear the trendy gear from her stock with devastating effect .sx They adored each other , but the odd thing was that , as Thomas aged with astonishing rapidity , Sophie became even more glamorous , causing him to drive himself desperately in order to keep her in unasked-for luxury .sx She rushed back each evening to cook his favourite supper , and would press her curves against his paunch when he came home , but he was still unnerved by the swan into which his plump little duckling had transformed herself .sx One day he was at his desk , devoid of ideas and wishing he'd thought of the tiger for Esso , when the boss rushed in .sx " Ah , Thomas .sx Where are Sebastian and Angelique ?sx " .sx Thomas raised vivid blue eyes with blood-shot whites .sx " They're both out on their new sausage-meat campaign , " he muttered .sx " You know - a sausage in a skin is a sausage for the bin , but sausagemeat that's free is the sausagemeat for me .sx " " Oh , well , as they aren't here , go round to Tasty-Bite's , will you ?sx They're anxious to discuss a new campaign for their meatless meat pies .sx Land it and I'll double your bonus .sx " .sx In his haste to reach Tasty-Bite's , Thomas slipped on a dropped ice lolly and fractured his thigh .sx " Typical !sx " said the boss when he heard the news .sx " I said he was getting past it .sx " .sx Angelique and Sebastian nudged each other and gave a snigger , secure in the belief that they were neither past it nor merely approaching it - they were well and truly with it .sx Meanwhile , Sophie frenziedly reorganised her days to fit in with hospital visiting hours , while Thomas , despairing , settled in his bed .sx " Now Mr Thomson , " said Sister firmly , " we watch our patients' weight very carefully .sx And what's this nasty rash on your chin ?sx We can't have that .sx Stop shaving for a week and see how it goes .sx " .sx Three weeks later , his leg still in traction , Thomas' appearance had improved dramatically .sx He had lost weight , his eyes were clear , his beard was blond and curly , and unruly waves disguised his receding hairline .sx The fracture was complicated , and would require a lengthy stay in hospital .sx Sophie , meanwhile , was shattered .sx She couldn't sleep without Thomas in their big oval bed .sx Dark circles appeared around her lovely eyes and she started having midnight snacks to while away the lonely hours .sx " But , Mrs Thomson , " protested her assistant one day , " do you really think these woolly dressing gowns show our usual - er - flair ?sx " .sx " What ?sx " asked Sophie vaguely .sx " Oh , those !sx Well , actually , I thought they were a new line in evening gowns - the fluffy , cuddly look or something .sx I can't worry about them now .sx I'm off to the hospital .sx " She found Thomas on the balcony in the sun , a drawing - board propped against the pulleys on his bed , busily sketching ideas for Tasty-Bite Pies .sx His latest slogan was A pie without meat keeps you neat but replete .sx He hummed as he drew .sx Sophie sat by his bed , munching the chicken sandwich she'd brought him .sx " But , darling , " she protested , " must you work quite so hard ?sx After all , Sebastian and Angelique have landed the account , haven't they ?sx " .sx " Not yet , " Thomas rasped .sx " I've sent the boss several sketches because I'm still after that bonus , sweetheart .sx Don't forget I've promised you a black leather catsuit .sx " .sx Sophie's eyes filled with tears .sx " Oh , Thomas , you are so thoughtful .sx " Her voice rose to a wail .sx " But - you seem so happy in here .sx Don't you long to get home to my cooking ?sx You know you love my lobster thermidor and my cream meringues .sx " .sx Thomas flinched .sx The truth was he'd never felt better .sx For the first time in ten years his overworked digestive tract was behaving itself .sx He patted Sophie's cheek with a lean brown hand .sx " Of course I want to get home , but I'm still in plaster .sx Have patience !sx " .sx She hurried back to the boutique , loosening her belt another notch as she went .sx Business was bad ; the fluffy dressing-gowns weren't selling , and a batch of woollen vests she'd ordered in an overwrought moment didn't appeal to the Knightsbridge shoppers either .sx At last the day arrived when Thomas was to be allowed home .sx Watched by admiring nurses , he paced the ward with his stick , waiting for Sophie .sx His trousers stayed up only by willpower and a tight belt .sx His sun-bleached hair was dazzling and his curly yellow beard showed off his tan .sx " Well , Mr Thomson , " said Sister smugly , " you look like a new man .sx " .sx Sophie arrived , plump and breathless , her cheeks slightly spotty .sx There had been no time for hair appointments , and the glossy black waves were by now quite mousy-brown .sx " Thomas !sx " she said tearfully .sx " You look awful !sx So thin - so undernourished !sx " .sx " But you look marvellous , " he beamed .sx " Just like the girl I married .sx " .sx The boss called round that evening and eyed Thomas enviously .sx " I say , hospital life certainly suits you !sx No offence , " he added hastily , casting an apologetic look at Sophie .sx " I've called to congratulate you on landing the contract with Tasty-Bite Pies .sx Their parent company , Yum-Yum Puddings , want you to handle their new campaign .sx .. " .sx And that's how Thomas and Sophie moved into the super-tax bracket .sx When thinking up new slogans , he goes to bed for a few days on a low-starch diet .sx It helps him to think and also delays the return of his paunch .sx He's kept the beard , though .sx He says it's good for his image now he has his own agency .sx Sophie , after much thought , hasn't gone back to dieting but at least she's got rid of the spots !sx She sold the boutique , complete with stock , because she is too busy looking after their twelve-roomed house - and , of course , her beloved Thomas .sx THE END .sx A SHORT STORY BY MOIRA ILES .sx The outing .sx It was a day of good fellowship and good food .sx But , as the villagers agreed , the comeliest sight of all was young Ann in her sprigged muslin .sx By nightfall she'd have won more than one lad's heart .sx THE CHAPEL outing was always a great event and was particularly welcome coming , as it did , between the haymaking and the corn harvest .sx It was a day off , a day when you had to do nothing except enjoy yourself , and those days were few and far between .sx But this year , 1896 , it would be an even greater event than usual , for it was the centenary .sx " The what ?sx " enquired Mrs Perkins .sx " It's a hundred years since they started building the chapel , " said her husband .sx They were in the village shop which , in fact , was the front room of their cottage .sx It was stocked from floor to ceiling with bacon and bootlaces , soap and candles - anything that anyone might want and a great deal more besides .sx " How do they know for certain ?sx " Mrs Perkins asked suspiciously .sx " Even Granny Markham's only ninety-six and , anyway , she couldn't remember what happened last market day let alone when the chapel was built .sx " .sx " They've got the actual deeds , " said Mrs Saunders who had come in for two and five-eighths yards of blue ribbon but couldn't decide whether to have the pale blue or the dark .sx " The land belonged to my husband's great-uncle and he gave it to the chapel to please his father who heard Mr Wesley preach several times .sx In fact , Mr Wesley stayed at Lower Challiscombe two or three times when he was on his journeys .sx You must get my husband to tell you about it sometime .sx " .sx The Saunders family , one of the wealthiest farming families in the district , was certainly a cut above the Perkins family .sx However , Mrs Saunders had recently realised that her son Jacob had his eyes on the Perkins girl , Ann .sx If it should turn out that they were to be related by marriage - well , it might be as well to start being friendly now .sx Mrs Perkins was also aware of the situation and had mentioned it to her husband .sx " They won't want him marrying our Ann , " he said .sx " They'll want someone who'll bring a bit of land with her .sx " .sx " They've got plenty of land , but I daresay they could do with a bit of happiness .sx " .sx Mrs Saunders said much the same to her husband , so that he shouldn't be overtaken by events .sx " Oh well " , he said , " Jacob won't take any notice of me so it's no good saying anything .sx " .sx " Well , " his wife said comfortingly , " she's a nice enough girl and she does make a good seed cake .sx " .sx The Manse stood next to the chapel , on the outskirts of the village .sx From the study window , the Reverend John Grange could look across the meadows and the river to the high moors beyond .sx I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help , he thought .sx He needed help to deal with Mr Pilton .sx This morning he was trying to settle the details of the outing with Mr Pilton , who always arranged these things .sx " I thought , " said Mr Pilton , " that we might do something different this year .sx We could go on the railway to Primley Sands .sx There is a halt right by the beach .sx " .sx The minister was taken aback .sx He liked the traditional outing .sx The local farmers lent their wagons , all newly painted and decorated with flower and foliage .sx They all gathered at the chapel at the appointed time - grandparents , parents , children , chapel members and the hangers-on .sx They then made their way , at a leisurely pace , through the lanes and across the downs to Damson Dell , where they ate the lunch they had taken with them .sx Next they played cricket or gossiped or slept until it was time to go to the local chapel where they were always given a splendid tea .sx Finally they joined with the local people in singing well-loved hymns until it was time to leave .sx On the way home , they would stop at the Dog and Drake for refreshments .sx As the outing was always arranged for full moon , the journey home was a joy in itself :sx the slow procession making its way through the moonlit countryside , heavy with the scents of a summer night , somewhere a nightingale singing , somewhere an owl hooting but , otherwise , just the clip-clop of the horses who knew the way home as well as anyone , the wagons full of drowsy people .sx " Well , " said Mr Grange , " I think that people are very happy with the present arrangements .sx " .sx " I don't think , " said Mr Pilton , " that you have fully grasped the advantages of going by train .sx We could put males and females into separate compartments , thereby avoiding any indecorous behaviour .sx And we would come straight home without the temptations of calling at the inn .sx " .sx " Oh , come , " protested Mr Grange .sx " I have never seen any indecorous behaviour .sx " .sx " It occurs .sx " Mr Pilton lowered his voice .sx " Only the other day I saw two young members of the choir walking home from the choir practice - their little fingers entwined !sx " .sx Mr Grange sighed - possibly for the young couple or possibly for Mr Pilton .sx " As for calling at the Dog and Drake , " he said , " I have never seen any one having anything other than lemonade or ginger beer .sx " .sx " But the temptation is there , " insisted Mr Pilton .sx Indeed , he knew only too well that temptation was there - the cider at the Dog and Drake was very potent and Maisie's dark eyes had bewitched him - but that was long ago and now he must see others did not fall .sx