When I'm with you

Before and after

She was restless that day. Georgiana couldn't stand to watch Charlotte wear herself out, looking at the phone again and again, checking for a call from Sidney. He had left for London more than a week ago, just after the last court hearing at which Tom had been blown to smithereens. Huge compensation to the families of the victims, fines and a lot of debt hanging over the Parker family knocked everyone out of the rut. With each passing day, the situation seemed more hopeless. All of Sidney's letters and calls were brief and did nothing to clarify the situation. He looked as desperate as Charlotte. The time allotted by the creditors and Sophia Denham was running out, and Parker still couldn't get the money. The day before yesterday, her connection with Sidney had been cut off, and Charlotte being very upset had asked Georgie to stay with her at Trafalgar house. Even though she did not think very highly of her guardian, Miss lamb was taken aback by what was happening, and was at a loss as to Sidney's whereabouts.
After looking at Charlotte sleeping peacefully, Georgiana turned off the night light and went out into the corridor, intending to go to bed as well. As she approached her room, she heard Tom's enthusiastic voice, and lost no time she hiding on the stairs, listening to the conversation.
- Mary, we are saved, do you hear?  I got a message from Sidney! Splendid! Splendid! This is going to be the best deal he's ever made - he said - I always said that Eliza was what he needed. She's rich, smart, beautiful.
- But Tom, you don't understand, Sidney isn't... - Mary began, but her husband interrupted her.
- God is good to us, Mary - he exclaimed - Sidney has made his decision, and I support it with all my heart. And when they arrive in Australia, Sidney realizes that nothing has changed in ten years, they still love each other. It will be the wedding of the year, everyone will get what they wanted. Eliza is Sydney, he's a big family, and you and I can rebuild Sanditon.
- But Tom, What are you saying? -  Mary asked  - Sidney is not...
Georgiana put her hand over her mouth to keep from crying out in annoyance and betraying her presence.
She ran into her room and, closing the door firmly, slowly slid down the wall.
"How am I going to tell Charlotte? She'll go mad with grief" - Georgiana thought desperately - "I have to check it out myself"
When morning came, Miss lamb was on her feet. Without wasting a second, she went to Tom's office, where, after persuading Stringer to let her into the regatta's guest database, she quickly found Eliza Campion's phone number.
As soon as she got home, she dialed the desired numbers and, when she heard a long beep, froze with excitement.
- Hello - said a pleasant female voice - Who is it?
- Mrs. Eliza Campion? - Georgiana asked.
- Yes - said Eliza.
- I'm sorry, this is Georgiana lamb. From Sanditon - said Georgie.
- Does your name must mean anything to me? - Eliza asked - What do you want, lassie? I'm on the other side of the world now and I don't have time to do anything stupid.
- I'm a ward of Mr. Sidney Parker - Georgiana said with a final effort - Do you have any idea where he is now?
- Ah, so that's what it's all about -  Eliza said,and Georgiana thought she was smiling - he's here with me. I don't think Sidney will be back in Sanditon for a long time.
- Is it True? You and Sidney are engaged and have gone to Australia? - Georgiana exclaimed in despair.
- Yes - Eliza said shortly - We've been in love for a long time. It was only a matter of time.
- But what about Charlotte? - Georgie couldn't resist asking.
- Charlotte? Nanny for the Parker children? - Еliza asked - she can go back to her village, there's nothing left for her to catch. No one will buy her innocent face anymore.
- But... - Georgiana began.
- Good - bye, Miss lamb - Eliza said more harshly - and I'll give Sidney your congratulations on our engagement.
There were short beeps, and the connection broke. Georgiana stared at the blank screen of her phone, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"What a jerk he is! How can I tell Charlotte?"-  she asked herself again and again, as she sat on the floor of her room and wept bitterly.
She hadn't seen Sidney Parker since that time. All his attempts to establish contact with her ended in complete failure. She didn't pick up the phone, or immediately hurled insults at him, making further conversation useless. Georgie might have been able to forgive Sidney for separating her and Otis, for what turned out to be very good reasons. But what he had done to Charlotte had put Sidney out of Miss lamb's life forever. Their further communication remained formal and concerned only Finance. Babbington and Esther took care of her until she came of age, at Sidney's request. Contrary to all Georgiana's expectations, this did not become a burden to her. Instead of annoying the overseer in the person of Esther, she found a wise and empathetic listener, always able to give wise women's Council. She never brought up the subject of Sidney and the cause of their conflict, and Georgiana was quite content with that. Life under the Babbingtons ' tutelage went on as usual, and she even learned to find its undeniable advantages. The only irritating factor for Georgie was Crowe. Francis's character and behavior were already difficult enough for her to understand, and after his scandalous divorce, they were simply unbearable. His constant teasing and nagging often drove Georgie crazy, but sometimes she could find something funny about it. It was a kind of entertainment.
She picked up the pillow she'd thrown at  Сrowе's head just a couple of months ago after he'd made an unflattering comment about her painting, and smiled.
- Would you like some more tea, Georgie? - William asked, snapping her out of her reverie. Georgiana had forgotten that she was sitting in the Babbington parlor.
- No, Thanks - she said, smiling - I've had enough. I'll just sit by the fire.
- All right - said William, and left the room.
Georgiana looked at the fire and thought about Sidney again. "Why did he come back? What the hell does he want again? How could he do that?" - she thought.
There were slow footsteps.
- Your room is ready, Georgie - Esther said, sitting down next to her on the sofa.
- Maybe I should go to a hotel - she asked - I don't want to strain you and William.
- Nonsense - said Esther. I won't let you go anywhere in this downpour. I don't want you to turn into a wet chicken.
- Hey, I'll show you who's the chicken! - Georgie exclaimed, throwing a small pillow at Esther.
She dodged it deftly and threw it back at Georgie, not forgetting to add a second one to it.
Georgiana laughed and attacked Esther again. In less than a minute, Georgie and Esther were laughing merrily, tossing their sofa cushions, completely oblivious to the fact that they were really grown-up and serious women.