Page 77 of The London Girls
George was silent a moment, and when he didn’t say anything she decided to carry on.
‘George, I know it’s only been a week since the crash, but I’d like to return to work as soon as possible.’
‘Return?’ He stopped walking and let go of her arm, facing her, his face like thunder. ‘Ava, I thought you’d come to tell me you wouldn’t be returning at all, and instead you want to come back a week after almost losing your life? You’re unbelievable!’
‘Clearly you don’t know me at all if you think I’d give up so easily,’ she said. ‘Haven’t you noticed how dedicated I’ve been lately? How I’ve been trying to do all my own mechanical work? I’m not going to give this up, I couldn’t. It means far too much to me.’
‘Of course I’ve noticed, but I almost lost you, Ava,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘I’ve never been so worried about another human being in my life.’
She digested his words, trying to stop her jaw from hanging open.He’s been worried about me?‘Truly? You were that worried about me?’
‘Christ, Ava, you’re the most infuriating woman I’ve ever encountered. How can you not know how I feel about you?’
Ava gave him a coy smile. ‘Does that mean I can come back to work on Monday?’
George swore under his breath as he stepped closer, and before she had time to say anything else he kissed her. Ava shut her eyes, tipping her head back as his mouth moved against hers, and a different kind of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. These butterflieswere unexpected; they beat their wings inside her in a way she’d never felt before; because she felt safe with George in a way she’d never felt before with a man.Thiswas what a kiss was supposed to feel like – lovely and warm and toe-curlingly exciting, all at the same time.
So much for not getting involved with another man again.
‘I have to get back to work,’ George murmured. ‘I suggest we resume this conversation another time.’
Ava stood on tiptoe and stole another kiss, before whispering against his cheek: ‘Or you could just say yes.’
George chuckled in response, but his smile disappeared as he gently stroked her lower lip with his thumb, and then her temple, his eyes travelling over her physical injuries.
‘When the doctor clears you – and only then – I’ll consider your return.’
Ava pouted, but she could see that he was immovable in his decision. ‘I can’t watch from the sidelines for long, George. That’s not me and you know it.’
‘Then take the time to rest and recover, and when you have it, bring me the letter from your doctor. I won’t stop you once you have that.’ He gave her a warm, long smile before he stepped away. ‘It was good to see you, Ava. I’ve missed you.’
She stood and watched him go, surprised by the flush of her cheeks and the flutter inside her. ‘I’ve missed you, too.’
But it wasn’t only George she’d missed. She hadn’t been lying when she’d said she couldn’t stand being on the sidelines; recuperating was torture. But what she hadn’t been honest about were the headaches she was having, the pain rippling from her ear through her head for no apparent reason.
She watched him until he disappeared, before turning to start the long walk back home. Seeing George had lifted her spirits and made her wonder how she hadn’t seen what was right in front ofher all this time, but it had also reminded her of what she’d lost, of the job she was no longer doing.
She fixed her smile again – the Ava she wanted the world to see back in place. Deep down, she was still traumatised from what had happened, the memories of that night making it almost impossible for her to sleep. Which was why she was so desperate to return to work, because if she didn’t get back on a motorcycle soon, she knew she might very well lose her nerve entirely. And that wasn’t something she wanted to admit to anyone, even herself.
‘Ava?’ Florence called out, appearing in the kitchen doorway as Ava tried to step quietly through the house.
She groaned, knowing that she was about to be told off for leaving her bed. If only she hadn’t taken so long, she’d have been tucked up again before Florence had even noticed she was gone. Florence always worked the night shift when the ambulances were needed during the bombing raids, so usually she slept most of the day.
‘I didn’t expect you to be up so early,’ Ava said, smiling as she walked into the kitchen. ‘I’d love a cuppa if you’re making one.’
Florence’s eyes narrowed, and Ava knew her attempt at smiling her way out of trouble wasn’t working.
‘I’ve been so worried about you,’ Florence said, her entire face drawn into a frown. ‘Where did you go? Why would you get up against doctor’s orders?’
Ava sighed, moving past her friend and setting the water to boil for something to do. Her head was starting to spin and she regretted going for such a long walk, but she wasn’t about to admit that to Florence, not with her standing there all righteous.
‘I went to see George, actually,’ she said, turning and leaning against the counter, her palms braced against it and keeping her steady. ‘I was feeling better when I woke up, and I couldn’t face another day of lying in bed, doing nothing. I figured the walk would do me good.’
‘You’re not doing nothing, you’re healing,’ Florence said. ‘Rest is what you need right now, not walking!’
‘That is doing nothing,’ Ava replied.
‘So what were you off seeing George about?’ Florence asked. ‘Was Olivia right in guessing there is something romantic developing between the two of you?’
