My Fair Lady

Chapter 4 - 1958

Eliza didn't expect her fears to magically fall away that one week. But they had lessened a great deal.

Every alternate day, she was dragged to the cafe upon Iris' insistence.

"You need to unwind", she'd tell her before tugging her by the arm to the Blackburne cafe. It was a cozy place that served milkshakes & burgers at reasonable rates. George often treated the girls. They'd sit together, discuss politics & music. George had begun to grown keener on the latter topic as of late & Iris sometimes complained he gave more time to his guitar than to her. He'd laugh it away & give her an affectionate peck in response. Then the topic would go back to politics & then music & the cycle continued.

Those cafe interludes certainly helped in relaxing Eliza's mind. She would go back home refreshed, ready to pour over her books again. The fervent urge to study was there yes but it didn't keep her up at night. George's words had definitely tweaked the inner cogs of her mind. She was glad they did.

One day when they were exiting the cafe, Eliza pulled Iris back. She turned to look at her expectantly.

"Thank you Iris."

"Thank you? What did I do?"

"Just for asking George to help me."

"Oh that", she glanced ahead at George who was leaning against the lamp post. He was fishing for something in his pockets. Cigarettes maybe.

"Liza, that was the least I could do."

"How did you know I'd listen to him? I never listened to you or mom for that matter."

"Let's just say, he's got a way with words." A fond smile formed on Iris' lips as she watched him light his cigarette.

"That he does, I must agree."

She grinned, "Now I expect you to be at every party we have, okay?"

"Parties? Oh...that's stretching it a bit too much."

"What? Did he not tell to stop avoiding parties?"

"Iris, you know I just don't mingle well."

"And how long is it going to be that way?" Her voice had risen a little. "You can't stay in your shell forever."

"Ahem, I hate to interrupt ye girls but the bus is 'ere." George called out.

The two girls glanced down the street. Sure enough, the bus was rumbling towards their stop. Sighing, Iris placed a hand on Eliza's shoulder.

"We'll continue this some other time."

And Eliza hoped that time was tucked far away in the future.

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A month later

Eliza rode her bike all the way to Walton Hall Park. It was a Friday & she had planned to meet George & Iris there for a picnic. It had been a full week since she last met them together. It was for lunch at the Caldwells'. George & Iris had now been going steady for 3 months & showed no signs of discontentment in their relationship. They had established a leisurely routine of meeting up after school, having coffee at the local pub nearby & then hanging out at her place.

Some days they strolled down Lilly Lane & it was on those days that a flush faced Iris would drop by Eliza's home & tell her of the lovely day she had.

Iris loved to talk about George any chance she got. It was endearing really to watch her ramble with twinkling eyes of how her dear George held the door for her, treated her to steaming mugs of coffee on rainy days, held her hand when they strolled down the street & most importantly, slipped romantic notes into her bag that she'd delight in after returning home.