Comet
They didn’t see much of Sophie these days. She rarely went to coffee,she’d quit book club,she’d ghosted their WhatsApp group. They were old enough not to take it personally. They knew,too,that she’d resurface when the time was right. Tonight,for instance,when Sophie arrived at the party like a blazing comet,drawing looks and delighted exclamations. Working the floor,she kissed cheeks,dispensed hugs,plunged into conversations. Later,she drank hard,laughed harder,danced hardest – then disappeared as suddenly as she’d arrived. They could see her still when they closed their eyes. It’d do until next time. – Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.