5 months and 16 days before Emma's call.

Emma had always hated the tube. But Herbert, her personal driver, called in sick that morning and she had never wanted a driving license for herself.

It started pouring when she reached a small square, near her meeting place with Elizabeth.

"Lizzie, dear, it's me, Emma. Look, it's raining cats and dogs. I think it'll be wise to reschedule our little outing ."

She listened to her friend for a few seconds.

"Great. See you on Saturday, then."

Five minutes later, Emma entered a coffeeshop, shivering. She was soaked to the bone.

The bartender, a woman in her mid-forties called out a waitress who was busy flirting with a customer.

"Martha, show her the bathroom. The poor girl is going to be sick."

Emma was shivering strongly and coughing severely.

The girl, though looking a bit shallow, was rather nice and brought her the clothes she usually wore when she stopped working.

"I can't..." Emma hesitated.

"Don't be silly, miss. It's still pouring outside and you're freezing. You can give me my clothes back tomorrow -I worked from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays."

Emma nodded. She thanked the girl and changed into the toilets. The strapless glittering black top was a bit to tight and the back far more transparent to make her at ease but it wasn't wet. She wasn't sure she liked the skirt either. It was bright red and quite short.

Well, at least it was dry.

Emma finally took a coffee to warm herself. She drank it slowly, waiting for the end of this raining moment. Men approached her and wooed her. Stupid clothes. She gritted her teeth. Martha came to talk a bit with her.

Then, the bartender, called "Mrs Younge" by the young waitress offered to drive Emma back home. She accepted with relief.

Mrs Younge said her to wait for her and came back a few minutes later with a young man.

"Miss, I'm feeling unwell but my nephew, Georgie, spontaneously accepted to drive you home when I make him aware of my promise to you. Is it okay for you ?"

Emma shrugged uncomfortably. She couldn't take the tube dressed like she was that late, anyway. She followed the man to his car. They sat in silence, and Emma explained where she lived.

"So, you're Mrs Younge's nephew ?" she said, feeling awkward.

"Yeah. She's almost a mom to me. Her sister, my mother passed away when I was quite young actually and my father wasn't very present, I spent most of my childhood there with her."

"I'm sorry. She's a delightful woman." Emma said, wanting to brighten the atmosphere.

"Indeed." the blonde man stated blankly.

"I don't know how I would have made it to home without her help."

She pointed at her clothes.

"You borrowed Martha's stuff I see."

His tone was slighty ironic.

"Er... Well..."

She smiled sheepishly, reddening.

"She's a fool. Can't count the change for her life, poor thing. And look how she planned to get out that night. Seriously !"

Emma laughed lightly.

"I'm sure you're much more well mannered. That shouldn't be hard, I guess, but you really appear to be a fine young lady. And you have lovely eyes." he added.

"Thanks. Yours are beautiful."

She had never seen such dark eyes.

"By the way, what's your name ?" he asked a few minutes later.

"Emma. Your aunt said you're called Georgie, right ?" Emma tried to remember.

"My first name is George. But I go by Georgie. It's less pompous."

He had such a sweet smile !

"My best friend is also named George and hates when I call him that." she spoke softly, before remembering their argument.

"He must be quite boring. The serious kind, eh ?" the young man snorted dedainsfully.

"Yeah. He's not very good at having fun sometimes." she sighted, crossing her arms.

"I've had a friend like that once. Bookish and always lecturing me, like I wasn't able to take good decisions by myself. It was rather boring and he let me when I needed him the most."

"What do you mean ?"

Curiosity was one of Emma's biggest qualities. Because of course, it was a quality.

"Rose -that's Mrs Younge for you- has been sick for years. Her disease increased recently. I had to borrow money to pay medical stuff. My wealthy friend, that I have already helped when his father passed away gave me nothing when I asked. Worse : he left." he explained, bitterness and anger in his voice.

"I'm really sorry."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." he sighted.

"I mean, really."

She put her hand over his impulsively. He smiled weakly at her.

"You're a nice girl, Emma. I hope to see you again at the coffeeshop." he said, stopping in front a big house.

"We're already here ? I don't like driving, you should be a skilled driver to make me enjoy it. See you tomorrow, Georgie. And thanks for the ride."

When Emma entered her father's office, George Knightley was there. He looked at her, his eyes wide. She scowled at him, before thinking of her attire.

She lowered her glance. She should have checked if her friend was here before letting her coat and shoes in the wall. She pulled her skirt as low as acceptable. Her top was too tight, and for some reasons she was incredibly nervous.

"Emma, you shouldn't stay barefeet. You're going to catch a cold."

"Weren't you supposed to stay at your friend's ?"

"We changed our plans because of the rain but a friend give me a ride and an other one let me borrow her clothes. Well, I'm going to my room. See you at dinnertime, Dad. George. Please inform Alice if you're planning to eat with us."