Page 59 of The Love Hack

It was a problem – but hardly an unsurmountable one.

Gather evidence. Be there for your sister.

The bot’s advice was clear, even though it hadn’t said so in so many words. I was going to have to go there. I was going to have to do what army generals do when national security is threatened and put boots on the ground.

And I was going to have to do it soon.

I could work remotely, I knew – people sometimes did, if they were on holiday and an emergency cropped up, or even if they just wanted extra time away without eating into their annual leave. Ross had, for the second week of his two-week jaunt to Croatia earlier in the year. There was even a clause in my contract about it – I'd just need Greg to sign off on it and given that I'd been consistently delivering my daily Ask Adam column since its frequency had been increased, I saw no reason why he’d refuse. I could afford a flight – just. I’d need somewhere to stay and someone to look after Astro.

The latter felt like more of a challenge. My neighbour, who I’d asked to drop in and feed the cat when I was away for Amelie’s wedding, had moved and I didn’t know the new person who’d moved in. I could ask Nush, but that would mean telling her why I was planning an urgent trip to New York, and she’d fly into a panic and probably want to come too, which would only delay things.

I needed someone who lived nearby. Someone who knew Astro. There was so much I needed to plan, and I needed to plan it fast.

I looked up from my screen. Opposite me, Ross was typing busily.

‘Ross?’

‘Hold on.’ His keyboard rattled for a few more moments, then stopped. ‘Lucy.’

‘Where’s good to stay in New York?’

‘Depends what you want. The Four Seasons, obviously, but that’s top dollar.’

‘Okay, where’s good and cheap?’

‘Brooklyn, maybe? I can help you find somewhere that’s not in a sketchy area, if you like.’

‘Thanks, that would be great.’

‘Why? Are you planning a holiday?’ Understanding dawned on his face. ‘To see your sister?’

‘That’s right. I think I need to go out there, like, now.’

‘Okay. Want to sit down after work and do some research? We could go for a coffee.’

“Thanks.’ Relief flooded me.

‘Oh and, Ross? There’s one other thing.’

‘What’s that?’

‘You remember Astro…’

TWENTY-TWO

Dear Adam

I’m writing to you about an issue I’m having with my girlfriend. She…

Dear Adam

Please could you settle a disagreement between me and my wife? She says I’m the asshole here but I dis…

Dear Adam

I’ve done a bad thing and I don’t know whether I should say something to the women involved. You see, I was…

‘Ladies and gentlemen, we will shortly be beginning our descent into John F Kennedy Airport. Please make sure your seatback is in the upright position, your tray table is stowed and your seatbelt is securely fastened.’

---