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1:
Elizabeth Colvin brushed some imaginary dust off her impeccably tailored suit and squared her shoulders.
It was time.
She was one of the last to leave the ship and after a week at sea she was more than ready to be on solid ground again.
After she and Davis had won the Pulitzer Prize the Gotham Times had grown in leaps and bounds and when Davis had decided the paper needed a European Correspondent Elizabeth had jumped at the chance. Based in London she had eaten, breathed and slept reporting for 5 years. She'd learned so much from her Fleet Street peers and somehow still managed to maintain her integrity and desire to find out the truth, no matter the cost.
But 5 years was enough, more than enough if she was being honest with herself. Her parents were getting older, her little sister was expecting her first baby and she missed New York way more than she was prepared to admit.
“Mademoiselle Colvin"
The voice shook her out of her reverie and she turned to face the handsome ships doctor with whom she had been enjoying a mild flirtation during her week long voyage. “ I am fortunate to have some shore leave here in New York" he continued “ perhaps I could buy you dinner aaand whatever comes after that" the promise of things to come hung in the air for the briefest of moments but Elizabeth refused to take the bait .She gave him a dazzling smile .
“ Jean-Claude , the last week with you has been absolutely magical but I’m afraid I start work first thing tomorrow, I’m actually on my way to the office right now, thankyou for being such a charming companion all week and for being such a superb dance partner, my foxtrot has improved immeasurably “
She kissed him on the cheek, pretending not to see the obvious disappointment in his eyes.
“I’ll be staying at the Carlyle if you change your mind” he said to her retreating back.
She turned to look at him one last time“ au-revoir Jean-Claude” and headed down the gangplank.
Oh yes...she had learned ALOT in the last 5 years.
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She cleared customs and immigration quickly and looked around for Davis who had promised to come and meet her at the dock. As she surveyed the crowd she spotted a sign with her name on it being waved frantically.
“Edmund Davis, is that you?" she called out.
The sign was lowered to reveal a short man with blonde curls and a friendly , freckled face. It only took her a moment to recognise the familiar face behind the sign “ Charlie White" she exclaimed happily and rushed over to greet her friend and colleague. “Elizabeth Colvin, as I live and breathe" White said holding her at arms length for a moment “you sure do look swell, Davis sends his apologies, something came up at the paper and he asked me to come and meet you, c'mon, I’ve got a car waiting"
“So, Mr Sports Reporter, how’s married life" Elizabeth asked White as the town car pulled away from the curb. He grinned at her “I honestly can’t believe that I got so lucky, great job, beautiful wife , life is pretty sweet" They updated each other on what had been going on in their respective lives until the car arrived at the Waterlane Hotel. White escorted her up to a suite on a high floor with a spectacular view of the city. “This room’s yours until you find an apartment, last I heard Davis got his secretary to call a few realtors so hopefully it won’t take too long to find something you like" Elizabeth noticed a desk in the corner of the room where there was a bottle of champagne on ice and a note from Davis that read “ Welcome home Miss Reporter, get some sleep, White and I will pick you up for dinner at 8, wear something slinky" She rolled her eyes and spotted another note from Mayor Boseman welcoming her back to New York and that she was looking forward to their interview in 10 days time.
White was struggling with the cork in the champagne bottle and it soon gave way with a satisfying pop. He filled both their glasses , “ A toast to you Elizabeth, look out New York, she’s back”. Elizabeth sipped her glass of champagne and turned to admire the view of the city from her window. “I’m back New York” she said with a smile “ I hope you’re ready"