Iris looked round her room and started to put things in a small suitcase.
Moving in with the Miranda's hadn't been on her cards but when Wanda explained that they lived the other side of town and were willing to provide her with a room while her own was in turmoil it seemed silly to turn down the offer.
She liked a challenge but was nervous, usually when she went for a job at a new establishment she had time to scope out the people she was working for, not be suddenly dropped on someone without warning.
She pushed the case out of the way and sat on her bed surveying the complete disarray of clothes all round her, and not really knowing where to start.
She picked up her phone.
"Hey Zu! How are things?"
"Iris! I was just thinking about you. I've just had the worst tartiflette I've ever tasted."
Iris stalled and sarcastically replied.
"Oh. So having the worst one ever made you think of me. Nice! Thanks Zuri!"
"Nooo! I didn't mean it like that! It reminded me of you because it wasn't a patch on yours!"
"Good save. So how are you?"
Zuri sighed.
"Busy! Honestly this cuisine course is ridiculous. I'm cooking all day and course work all night. I don't know how I let you talk me into it."
"It will be worth it in the end. One step closer to having a place of your own once it's done."
"I know, but I feel like a social leper! I haven't seen you for about 6 weeks!"
Iris smiled.
"Well I've not had much going on either apart from work so you haven't missed anything. I do have a change of job coming up though."
"WHAT?! How come? I didn't even know you were looking for a new job."
"I wasn't. I've been head shrunk."
Zuri laughed.
"Hunted! The phrase is head hunted!"
"Oh yeah. Didn't think it sounded right. Anyway, Wanda has had a charity do. Get this. Someone has paid $60,000 to charity for me to be their personal chef for the week."
Zuri whistled.
"HOLY COW! That's got to be someone who's someone."
Iris grinned.
"Lin-Manuel Miranda and his wife."
"Noooooo! Get outta here! The Hamilton and Heights guy? The Bruno dude?"
Iris frowned.
"The Hamilton guy yes. Don't know about the rest. You seem to know a lot about him."
"He's a genius! You know Moana?"
"Yes of course."
"He wrote the songs."
"Seriously? Wow! Now I'm nervous"
"You'll be fine. He seems really nice."
Lin vaguely remembered Gia saying goodbye that morning but had been in his own head sitting at the piano in a writing bubble and couldn't remember exactly what she had said.
He relented and messaged her, picturing her exasperated sigh as he did.
'Hey! How's your day? Did you say you'd be back in time for dinner tonight x?'
His phone vibrated straight away.
'Honestly Lin, I may as well talk to myself! Yes I'll be back later. Iris is coming tonight isn't she? Do you think she will be cooking?'
'Good question... maybe see what happens and get a take out if not?'
'Good call. See you later x'
He put down his phone and went back to his work.
Iris walked down the subway steps, her case rumbling along behind her. She ran through everything in her mind for the 200th time that day, trying to convince herself that she really did have everything she needed and telling herself sternly that she was only across town if she did need to go back.
Her nerves were in bits, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.
Zuri hadn't helped. Had she always been such a theatre buff? She seemed to know a lot about Lin-Manuel.
Iris would've preferred to go being none the wiser.
She checked the address on her phone that Wanda had given her and walked up to the apartment block.
"Ok. Come on. You can do this."
Taking a deep breath she pressed the buzzer.
It crackled to life.
"Hello?"
"Hi, erm, it's Iris, I'm here to..."
"Hey! Come straight up, I'll let you in."
The door buzzed and unlocked. Iris made her way up.
She went to knock on the apartment door but it was opened before she had chance.
"Iris! Come in, come in. I'll take that for you."
Lin grabbed her case and ushered her in.
She smiled at him.
"Thank you."
"You found us ok? Any problems?"
"No, all good."
"Perfect! I'll show you to your room and let you settle in. Would you like a coffee?"
Iris nodded.
"Love one! Thank you Mr Miranda. Think I'm supposed to be doing this for you though!"
Lin laughed.
"You're here to cook dinner, not wait on us hand and foot. You're a guest as well, and it's Lin please. Not Mr Miranda."
He walked down a short corridor and pushed open a door.
"This is your room for the week. Let me know if you need anything. I'll get you a key so you can come and go as you please."
"Thank you, but I really feel as though I should be doing a lot more than cooking dinner. It's a lot to pay for one meal a day!"
He laughed.
"Oh believe me. To get one up on Brian was worth every cent."
He turned to go but stopped abruptly.
"Not that you being here for the week cooking for us isn't worth every cent. Your food is amazing. I'll leave you to get settled. I'll put some coffee on. No rush though."
He turned and walked away.
Iris closed the door to her bedroom behind her and looked round.
It was a lovely room, bright and airy, minimalist but with beautiful signature pieces all round.
She went to the window and looked out.
The view was incredible.
She could hear the faint sound of a piano being played in another room as she unpacked.
