‘Relationship entanglements?’
‘Is it that obvious?’ she said, glancing up.
‘You have that look in your eye,’ nodded Georgia. ‘You don’t look as if you want to leave London for the holidays, Amy; you look as though you want to flee.’
Amy could see that there was no point in denying it.
‘This is my situation, Ms Hamilton—’
‘Miss,’ said the woman. ‘But please call me Georgia.’
‘I’ve had a really crappy week, and right now all I want to do is go back home. I figured this might be a way to see my folks, even if they have to come into Manhattan to meet me. If that’s a problem say so now, because that’s why I want to do this trip. But seeing my mom and dad would only take a couple of hours, and the rest of the time I’m all yours. I work hard, and I can take you to all the little places only New Yorkers know about as well as the touristy things you probably want to see and do.’
Georgia didn’t reply and Amy felt her heart lurch, suddenly realising how desperately she wanted to see her mum, get one of those big bear hugs from her dad. She needed to get home.
‘At least you’re honest,’ said the older woman with an amused half-smile. ‘That’s good, because the last thing I want is some con artist who’s going to run up thousands of dollars’ worth of expenses on the minibar.’
‘That’s a lot of Hershey bars,’ grinned Amy.
‘Even so, I’d be grateful if you could provide a couple of references.’
‘So I’ve got the job?’
‘My dear, I’m due to leave for America in three days’ time. Despite placing the advert three weeks ago, you’re the only apparently sane person to apply. Can you believe I got a letter from someone at HM Prison Brixton saying he was about to go on probation and would love to accompany me, although he felt there might be issues at US customs. Besides, you don’t get to my point in life without being a decent judge of character. I think this trip might work out for both of us.’
‘Yes, yes, thank you,’ said Amy, getting up to hug the old woman.
Georgia reeled back in surprise.
‘Well, if that’s settled, how about we have some more tea?’
There was a sudden buzzing sound that Amy recognised must be the intercom. She wondered if Cheryl had somehow got wind of her plans. After all, she was due to do the Boxing Day shift in the pub, and if she couldn’t get Nathan or one of the others to take it on for her, then she was in big trouble.
Georgia pressed a button on a box on the wall. ‘Yes?’ she said.
‘It’s me, can I come in?’ A male voice, but too crackly to tell any more.
Did Georgia have a boyfriend? Amy realised she knew nothing about this woman she had just agreed to accompany across the Atlantic. But then if she already had a companion, why advertise for one in a magazine? Either way, she’d have to wait until the old lady decided to tell her.
‘I’d better be going,’ she said, standing up.
‘No, no, do stay. We should discuss the details before you leave.’ Georgia picked up the silver teapot. ‘I’ll make more tea and you can tell me about this Heathrow airport I’ve heard so much about.’
Amy could tell the woman was toying with her. Her flat was full of books and objets d’art from around the world. On Google, Georgia Hamilton had been described as ‘a legend’ in publishing. Amy was sure this elegant, sophisticated woman had been around the globe dozens of times, even if it was the case that she had never been to New York. But wasn’t the American publishing industry based in Manhattan?
She didn’t have time to ask, as there was a rat-a-tat knock on the door of the flat.
That was quick, thought Amy. There was no lift, so only someone young and fit could have made it from street level to a second-floor apartment in that time.
Georgia left the room and she heard muffled voices at the end of the corridor. When the old lady returned, Amy was surprised to see that she was accompanied by a much younger man. He was obviously handsome, but week-old stubble verged on being a beard, and his dark hair trailed over his ears and was in desperate need of a cut. In a thick navy pea coat and big black lace-up boots, he looked as if he was about to go trapping.
‘Amy Carrell, this is my cousin’s son Will Hamilton,’ said Georgia quickly.
‘Hello,’ said Amy, but Will merely nodded, a slight frown on his face, and turned to Georgia, handing her a white envelope.
‘I just came to drop this round,’ he said.
‘Thank you, Will.’