Page 23 of The London Girls
‘I most certainly do not.’
‘Overconfidence will get you killed in this job,’ George said, moving closer to them, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Ava, before he glanced at Oliva and then the other two girls, who had walked closer as soon as Ava had finished her laps. ‘I don’t know ifit’s because you’re used to everything coming easy to you in life.’ He raised his voice, seemingly so they could all hear him even though he was speaking to Ava. ‘Or perhaps you’re just here for the adventure and think of this as a lark? Whatever it is, you need to keep your enthusiasm in check if you want to survive this job. It’s dangerous enough without the reckless attitude.’
Olivia watched as Ava swallowed, the physical flutter in her throat the only thing that betrayed her otherwise confident demeanour, and then she saw a tear escape from the corner of her friend’s eye. She hated seeing her upset, but George did have a point; this was serious work, not a game. Before Ava could reply, George stepped back to address them all.
‘Girls, as of next week you’ll all be reporting for your first shift,’ he said. ‘The hours are going to be long and you’re expected to be available seven days a week, day and night. As I’ve said before, it’s not a job for the faint-hearted.’ He paused a moment. ‘We’re also looking to send some of our riders to Scotland in the coming weeks, so please let me know if you’re open to being stationed there. If no one volunteers, we shall be making the orders based on suitability.’
‘Will we have set shifts?’ Olivia asked, realising she’d never actually asked before, and they hadn’t been told. She didn’t tell him that she absolutely did not want to be posted to Scotland, hoping someone else volunteered instead.
‘Ideally, yes. But there will also be times where you’re called in outside of those shifts. We’re still desperately in need of more dispatch riders – our male riders are all being sent to the front over the next two weeks – so for now, the hours will be arduous at best.’
‘You’ll be recruiting more women?’ Ava asked. ‘Despite your obvious disdain for the fairer sex riding motorcycles?’
He laughed, and just the sight of him showing a sense of humour made Olivia smile. Or perhaps she liked the quip herfriend had made, despite how bristly she must be feeling from his earlier rebuke.
‘I actually have no problem with women riding motorcycles in their spare time,’ George said. ‘What I have a problem with is women serving and taking up dangerous roles that should only be filled by men, thereby putting their lives at unnecessary risk. What women choose to do in their leisure time is not for me to form an opinion on.’
Olivia touched Ava’s back, hoping to calm her so she’d refrain from saying anything else inflammatory to George. She’d never seen two people rile each other up so much, and she was half expecting Ava to be fired before she even started on the job. George clearly disliked her.
‘Are we clear?’ George asked.
Olivia prodded her thumb into Ava’s back, trying to prompt her into answering.
‘Yes, sir, we’re clear.’
When he finally walked away, consulting his clipboard and appearing to make some notes, Olivia steered Ava well away from him.
‘What is it with you today?’ Olivia asked, but what she really meant waswhat is it with you every day?
‘He infuriates me, that’s what,’ Ava muttered.
‘Oh, I can see that for myself!’ she half laughed, half cried. Olivia was always a bundle of nerves just watching them spar from the sidelines, so she wasn’t surprised when Ava started to pace back and forth.
‘Don’t you find him infuriating?’ Ava asked. ‘It can’t just be me! He’s an absolute beast.’
‘Mildly irritating? Yes,’ Olivia said. ‘But not infuriating. I mean, some of his comments about our suitability for the job annoy me,but other than that I find him fair to learn from. He’s been a good instructor to us.’
Ava’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Fair?You actually find what he said to mefair?’
Olivia sighed. She could already tell this conversation wasn’t going to end well, but it was about time someone stood up to Ava. ‘You want me to answer that honestly?’
‘Of course!’ Ava folded her arms over her chest, looking defiant as she stared at her.
‘I actually agree with him about what he said before. I think you are being reckless, I think you do need to pull your head in and listen to his instructions, because he’s right. That overconfidence of yours could get you killed out there on the job, and this isn’t a game. What we’re doing is going to be dangerous and important work.’
Ava’s bottom jaw went slack. ‘Youagreewith him?’
‘All I’m saying is that when it comes to safety, I think you should listen to him. If his goal is to keep us alive, then don’t you think he might have a point?’
Ava stared at her a moment, a very long moment, before turning on her heel and marching off. When Olivia called out to her, she turned and glared at her, her face like thunder.
Olivia almost laughed, but it only took a moment for her humour to turn to anger. Perhaps being honest with her hadn’t been the best course of action.
‘Ava!’ Olivia shouted, running after her and grabbing hold of her shoulder to force her to stop.
Ava spun around, her eyes flaring wide as she glared at her. ‘What?’
‘Don’t you dare storm off on me like that again,’ Olivia said, hands on her hips as she stared her down. ‘Who exactly do you think you are? Treating a friend like that?’
