Fran set things straight!
As agreed, Aaron shows up right on time the next morning to pick Fran up and take her to the airport. She says goodbye to her parents. Her mother can't stop herself from sobbing and wailing about her baby leaving her again. Finally, Fran gets in the car and tells Aaron to drive off quickly. During the drive he mentions to her."It must be very difficult for your mother to let you go again."
"Oh, it's just a show. The typical Jewish guilt trip. I mean Maa and Dad wanted me to take this job and are actually very happy about it. But Maa wouldn't be Maa without such dramatic acts at farewells."
"I think it's a shame you're leaving again!" He puts his hand on her knee. "I was hoping we'd have more time to spend together."
Fran suddenly feels visibly uncomfortable. She notices his looks and she doesn't like them at all. She tries to discreetly push his hand away and says.
"It's really time for me to go back. I can't leave the two girls alone any longer and Mrs Kent is starting to go crazy because they're jumping all over her."
"I understand. But you'll definitely come back to New York pretty soon."
"It's not planned for now."
"Oh?! Then I guess I'll have to visit you in London." Fran stares at him in shock.
"Why do you want to visit me in London?"
Aaron smiles at her. He puts his hand on her knee again and strokes her.
"Oh Fran, sometimes you're really sweet. You know I like you very much. I'm desperate to see you again and I'm afraid I can't wait until you come back to New York."
This was the last straw for Fran. She firmly pushes his hand away.
"I think I need to get something straight here. We are cousins. You have been a very good friend since our childhood, but that's all. I like you, but only as my cousin…"
"Come on, Frannie! I know you feels it too. Something has developed between us the last few days."
"No, it didn't! Maybe with you and Maa tried to set us up, but I don't have any romantic feelings for you. You only can have my friendship, nothing more. So get that out of your mind. I'm not in love with you and there will never be a future for the two of us and I don't want you to visit me in London."
Aaron looks at her, shocked, still hoping that she might just made a very cruel joke. But then he realizes, Fran really means it.
"I understand!" he replies, deeply offended.
"Come on Aaron…"
"I said it's fine. We don't need to talk about it anymore."
The rest of the drive appears an awkward silence. When they arrive at the airport, Aaron helps Fran to get her luggage out of the trunk, but then he drives off without any goodbye. Fran feels a slight lump in her throat, but then she pulls herself together and goes into the airport building.
After boarding the plane, Fran makes herself comfortable in her seat. She still feels a little guilty about Aaron. But it was better to come clean with him than giving him any false reasons to get his hopes up and her mother might eventually starts to plan the engagement party.
As the plane takes off, Fran tries to relax. She is really looking forward flying back to London and to see the girls and of course most importantly Maxwell. She can hardly wait to finally sink into his arms and to be together with him again.
During the flight, a stewardess offers the passengers various newspapers. Fran asks her to give her the 'London Times'. The first few pages, which are mainly about politics and economy, don't interest her very much. She turns to the society section, which piques her interest. Fran has always had a knack for the stars and starlets of this world, but since she lives with the Kents and knows some people from the high society by name or even personally, she finds it even more exciting.
She skims through the individual articles. She stops at one particular article. She suddenly freezes in shock and her expression gets dark. She cannot believe what she is seeing. In the newspaper is an article about a benefit concert that took place in London two days ago. In one of the pictures Maxwell is pictured next to a young, very attractive blonde girl and another older man. With her heart pounding, Fran reads the caption.
The organizer of the charity event, Stewart Babcock, was very satisfied with the running of the show. Seen here together with his lovely daughter Chastity Claire and her date Maxwell Sheffield.