Chapter Four
Ella
As the plane touched down at Newark just after 5 p.m., I closed my laptop. I had spent the journey creating and fine-tuning a presentation on The Dicktionary Club and how it would benefit American women by giving them an exclusive app to help safeguard them against the multiple pitfalls of online dating. I’d included how the app could be easily modified to accommodate same-sex relationships. The only thing left to do was debrief and practise the pitch with my two friends, who had spent most of their journey sleeping, binge-watching TV and sampling the cocktail menu.
‘I need off this flight,’ Zola said, squeezing her hands together in anticipation.
I laughed. ‘Me too! Do we have the email with the details about where we’re staying? It’s somewhere near the Hudson, One Hudson Yards, I’m sure.’
‘Aw, who cares! Just get me off this plane and let me explore!’ Katy said, adding in her best Italian-American accent, ‘I need pizza!’
‘OK, ladies. Thank you for travelling with American Airlines. You will be first to disembark the flight today,’ a smiling air hostess said, as both my friends stormed past her towards the door.
‘Thanks,’ I said, laughing. ‘First time in New York.’ I nudged my head at them as they scrambled to get out the door, and she laughed back.
We headed through passport control, collected our luggage, made two trips to the overcrowded bathrooms and then we were finally ready to leave Newark airport.
‘The taxi rank is out this way.’ I pointed towards a sign above the busy terminal door.
Zola was already fanning her face as we tried to figure out the airport signposts; the September heat in New York was blazing compared to the drizzly Scottish weather we’d left behind.
‘Guys, look!’ Katy bellowed. ‘It’s our names!’
I glanced across to where she was pointing at a tall man in a black suit holding a sign that read: Miss Ella, Miss Zola and Miss Katy.
‘Oh my God!’ I screeched as we headed over to the driver. ‘Hi!’
‘Hey, girls. Need a ride to Hudson Yards?’ His smooth American accent made my stomach flip in excitement.
‘Yes, please! But tell me you have air conditioning in your car?’ Zola asked.
‘Why of course, ma’am. Let me take your case. I’m Leroy.’
Leroy took hold of Zola’s bright leopard-print case and headed out the door. We followed behind him, dodging between the chaos of travellers coming to and from the airport. After a few minutes, he stopped at a sleek black limousine.
‘This is us. You girls get settled and I’ll sort your bags.’
‘Thanks, Leroy,’ I replied, opening the car door.
‘You’re the best!’ Katy added, following behind me.
When Zola shut the door, we silent-screamed together in the back of the car. I’d never been in a limo – well, apart from my eighteenth bitch bus, but it wasn’t like this. This exuded class, with its mini fridge, dimmed lighting, plush black leather seats and tinted glass windows. I couldn’t help but wonder how we’d gotten so lucky to be here, with all our expenses paid in such style.
Finally, Leroy took a seat behind the wheel and turned to us. ‘Y’all ready?’
‘We were born ready, Leroy!’ Katy replied cheesily, making my toes curl, and Leroy set off.
‘You always have to take it too far,’ Zola teased. ‘We were born ready!’ She mimicked Katy’s voice, and together we laughed hard in the back of the limo.
The journey continued, and as my friends experimented with every electrical device in the car, I rested my head against the window, enjoying the views as we passed through New Jersey’s industrial side, with its giant shipping containers and oil tankers. I was working out the time difference back home and wondering what Philip would be up to. It felt strange to have this vast exciting opportunity and not to be able to share it with him.
‘Guys, look!’ Katy gasped.
The road had curved, and suddenly out of nowhere the skyline appeared. It was like something out of a dream – glass buildings so tall they were disappearing into the clouds. The view grew sharper as we drove towards it, and the girls pointed and squealed at every iconic building they spotted. It felt less like we were approaching a city and more like it was drawing us in. Into the city, the chaos, the hustle, the opportunities. Then darkness swallowed us as we glided through a long tunnel. I clutched my friends’ hands as we huddled together, waiting for what was next. And then the light appeared again – and the skyscrapers were everywhere, soaring above us. People hurrying along the streets heading to work, tourists snapping photos of every street sign, lamp post and traffic light.
‘Wow,’ Zola whispered.
We drove along in awe as the sights of New York surrounded us. I was here, in America, with my two best friends. I felt a surge of emotion – maybe because of the jet lag, maybe because of Philip, or maybe because the energy of New York had immediately stolen my heart.
