Amy blushed furiously.
‘I haven’t got any plans to get married, Uncle Chuck.’
‘Really?’ said Connie with interest. ‘I thought it was serious with Dan.’
‘I wanna be a bridesmaid,’ shouted Candice with her mouth full.
‘Stop it, all of you!’
‘Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, sis,’ said Billy, squeezing Helen’s hand. ‘It ain’t so bad, huh?’
‘So come on, Ames. Tell us. Can I expect a visit from this Daniel asking for my daughter’s hand in marriage? Guess he’s going to do things the proper way, huh?’
She was glad when Uncle Chuck changed the subject to talk about the upcoming Jets game and the clean-up operation in Queens after Hurricane Sandy.
Mrs Carrell served two puddings – a home-made pumpkin pie the colour of autumn leaves and a plum pudding complete with thick cream. When every last spoonful had been scraped from their bowls and the detritus had been taken to the kitchen, Amy and Georgia were shooed through to the sitting room. ‘You’re the guests today,’ said Connie. ‘Everyone else can help with the dishes.’
Amy flopped into an armchair.
‘Overload,’ she groaned, patting her flat stomach. ‘I need to go and lie down.’
‘Sounds like a good idea,’ said Georgia. ‘In fact, I think that’s my cue to leave.’
‘Don’t go,’ said Amy, sitting up. ‘You’re welcome to stay. In fact Mom and Dad will be offended if you leave.’
‘I should go,’ she said with such finality that Amy didn’t challenge her further.
‘I got you a present,’ said Amy, looking around for the bag of gifts she had brought with her. ‘It’s not as extravagant as that amazing dress and shoes you got me, but I think you’ll like it.’
She rooted around in the bag until she found Georgia’s present.
‘Open it now,’ she said.
‘But it’s not Christmas yet,’ smiled Georgia.
‘Please,’ said Amy.
Georgia’s thin fingers unwrapped the paper. Inside was a snow globe of New York.
‘Shake it and all the snowflakes – fake, of course – will sprinkle over the city. I know how much you wanted it to snow, and I can’t fix the weather, but when I saw this, I knew you’d love it.’
She looked up and saw that Georgia was crying. Just two single tears slipping down her cheeks, but still her reaction surprised her.
‘Don’t you like it?’
‘I love it,’ whispered Georgia. ‘Someone gave me something similar once. A snow globe of Paris. It’s one of my treasures.’
‘Now you have two,’ grinned Amy.
Georgia held the globe in both hands and looked at her.
‘Do you know what really constitutes being a lady?’ she said softly. ‘Kindness. Kindness is at the heart of it all, and you have that quality in spades, Amy Carrell.’
She cleared her throat and straightened her back, the more aloof Georgia returning.
‘I think Alfonse has just arrived,’ she said, seeing two beams of light outside. ‘I should go. Have fun tomorrow with your family.’
‘Thank you so much, Georgia. Thanks for making this happen,’ Amy said, leaning forward and hugging her. She was surprised how slight and fragile the older woman felt in her arms. Georgia seemed to flinch at her gesture, but then gave her a small squeeze.