My Fair Lady

Chapter 15 -1960

The next time Eliza saw George, she was at Merseyside waiting outside her mom's office. It had been three days since the birthday fiasco and she hadn't seen him since. She allowed herself to stare unperturbed across the street as he walked, Arthur beside him, hands shoved deep into his pockets, cigar hanging carelessly from his lips. He looked gravely serious.

Iris had cribbed about him for one whole day. That's all she needed to get him out of her system. She still went down to the Cavern the same night to watch the band play. Although she told Eliza nothing happened, her cheery spirits were back and she had to wonder if something had happened in the club. For a sensitive girl like Iris, it was soon to stop hurting from the breakup.

She couldn't decipher if George looked unfazed just by seeing him on the street. He hadn't come in for lunch the previous day, one that Paul had treated them to. 

Upon asking, Paul had merely shrugged & said, "He's helping his dad at the shop."

The two friends disappeared into a record store. Her mother walked out just then & Eliza practically dragged her to their car. She wanted to get away from the place as fast as she could.

When they reached home, her mother asked her to help with packing the silverware. They weren't going to sell the cutlery considering it was relatively new compared to the rest of their belongings. Jake was in charge of selling their car as well as the furniture. While they were bent over the silver lying on the kitchen floor, Mr. Roberts rang.

"Hello honey." Hearing her father's deep voice from across the miles delighted her.

"Dad!", she exclaimed. "How are you?"

"I'm fine Liza. I am in New York for the weekend & am staying at Michael's place. You remember my old friend."

"Oh yes I do. But why are you there? Aren't you supposed to be working on an assignment in Philly?"

"I was yes but I had to sign a few ownership documents for the house. It couldn't be put off to next week. I'll go back tomorrow. Is your mum there?"

"Yes she is. Both of us were busy packing the silverware. If we should finish that today, then we can sort the books from your collection."

The voice perked on the line, "You can give all the books there but not my copies of Pygmalion."

"Dad", she began kindly, "Aren't those copies like a million years old?"

"No they aren't honey. They are important to me. I have had them since I was in high school. Just please make sure you tuck them safely into the cartons."

"Uh...okay. Whatever you say."

She chatted a minute longer with him before handing the phone to her mother. The perkiness in her voice motivated Eliza's spirits. If she could be so excited about leaving Liverpool, then perhaps she could be likewise. Jake too had gotten rid of his initial gloominess & went about winding up their house with more spirit.

She was carrying two cartons from the kitchen to the living room when two rapid knocks were heard. Carefully setting the boxes on the floor, she wiped her hands against her skirt & walked to the front door. Iris had said she'd come over to help today, maybe it was her.

When the door swung back, she was surprised to meet a pair of dark eyes.

He stared at her for an awkward pause before clearing his throat. "Hello Lizzie", he said uncertainly.

"Hello", she greeted meekly, pushing the specs up her nose. There was a pause again. She looked away, unsure of what to say. 

"Erm - if ye aren't busy...can we talk?"