Page 7 of Only You

“So,” Millie said almost an hour later. “What are your thoughts on this project?”

Ana sat up straight. If she was honest, she had assumed they would close ranks and tell her what they wanted to do, and expect her to go along with it.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Millie giggled. “We’ve seen your work!”

Ana was proud of her work and liked the fact Millie and George had noticed. Sitting forward, she picked up her notebook and shared her initial thoughts on the brief, with Millie and George nodding and inputting their own thoughts alongside hers.

Another hour had passed before they had finished. Ana looked at the clock. “Rats!” she said before she could stop herself.

Millie looked up from the notes she had been scribbling. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

Ana stuffed all her bits into her bag. “Yes,” she said. “Sorry, I need to get to the library.”

Millie and George both looked at her, confused. The library wasn’t where textiles and fashion students were usually found.

Ana stopped in her tracks, unsure why, but she felt she owed them an explanation.

“I need to job hunt,” she said, slowing down her movements. “The waitress job I had... well, let’s just say I turned up last night to find the restaurant swarming with police and no more job.”

Ana sank back into her chair, exhaustion taking over as she said the words she’d been holding in all day.

Millie grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Time for another coffee,” she said, standing up.

“No,” Ana said, getting to her feet again. “I have to get a computer.”

“Sit down,” George said, the strength of her tone shocking Ana. George must have seen the locked-down expression on Ana’s face because she continued. “We may be able to help you. We have family who own restaurants all over London. I am sure we can help you get a job somewhere.”

Ana slumped into her chair. The shock of the previous night and going up against these two was more than Ana could fight. What harm would it do to hear them out, even if it came to nothing? The library was still going to be there. She would just have to ensure she got to the supermarket in time for the reduction stickers. Checking the clock, she still had a couple of hours until then.

“Okay,” she said. “I’d really appreciate any help you can give.”

If these two could help and were willing, who was she to turn them down.

Millie clapped her hands in delight and went back to the counter to order another round of drinks. When Millie returned with coffee and a round of sandwiches, George rolled her eyes at her, but she simply shrugged.

“What? I’m hungry, and I hate to eat or drink alone.”

Millie shared out the food. Ana had decided she would accept her new friend’s gracious offer. She would make it up to them when life took a turn for the better.

Her attention caught on Millie, so Ana had failed to notice George was busy speaking on the phone.

“Great,” she heard her say. “I’ll pass on the details. You are a star, Uncle Robin.”

George grinned at Ana as she disconnected the call, passing her a piece of paper. Ana glanced down, and her eyes almost bugged out of her head. She coughed to clear the saliva that almost choked her, making both George and Millie laugh.

“Mount Crystals?”

Ana choked again. Mount Crystals wastherestaurant in town. Anyone who was anyone wanted to eat there. It was a hangout for the rich and famous.

“Absolutely,” George answered. “My uncle owns it. He was trying to recruit me a week ago, and I knew he had a vacancy. I think you will fit the bill a little better than me.”

George smoothed her hand down her rainbow locks and winked at Ana. “You are exactly what he’s looking for.”

Ana’s throat closed over, and she pinched herself, making Millie and George share a look. Her eyes filled, and she had to blink several times before she could bring herself to speak. Before she could say anything, however, George jumped in.

“It’s only a trial. If Uncle Robin likes you, the job is yours. You just need to call the number on the paper.”

“Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”