Page 64 of The Gin Sisters' Promise

‘Well, I’m sure if anyone can make it into that, it’s you.’

‘Let’s hope so…’ Georgie said, because it was true, while she had no qualms about taking on the business, she had learned that it was the relationships around it that were most important. Without Iris, Nola and the people who had worked for Delahaye Distilleries for years, Georgie knew that any success would be as hollow an experience as her life in London had become.

*

‘God, this place looks as if it cost an arm and a leg,’ Iris whispered as Georgie pushed open the door to one of the swankiest estate agents in the city. It was a tasteful collage of modern art, deep pile mint rugs and walls that looked as if they’d been painted in ivory velvet.

‘They’ll get me the best price and they’ll do it with minimum disruption,’ Georgie said. It was funny, but being back here now confirmed one thing for her: she was finished with London.

The agent, Imogen, who hardly looked old enough to have finished school, took down all her details. Georgie called the management company who looked after her building to set things in motion. ‘It won’t take long. Properties like this are very much sought after,’ Imogen soothed.

Out on the busy London street, Georgie and Iris stood for a moment and looked at each other. ‘God, I can’t believe I’ve just put my apartment on the market.’ She felt a giddy combination of excitement and fear mixed through with a tremor of terror racing through her. But then, Iris reached out and took her hand and she looked into those lovely, kind eyes.

‘It’s going to be great,’ Iris said with a rush of enthusiasm that was contagious.

‘Itisgoing to be great,’ Georgie agreed, and she knew it in her bones. She was going home, for once and for all.