At first, she just stood there staring, until she noticed a large noticeboard on which a seating plan was pinned. People were grouped with others reading the same subject as them. She quickly found her name and spied Olamide sitting under a painting of a Civil War soldier with a few other history students that she vaguely recognised from that afternoon. She went to join them, reluctantly saying goodbye to Josh who had been placed at the opposite end of the hall with the other music students. She took her place, between a quiet, studious boy called Callum, and Caroline, a bubbly blond posh girl, whom she’d spoken to briefly earlier in the day but not had a proper conversation with.
“Sooo, you settled in now?” she drawled, in a tone that Harriet couldn’t quite decided whether to regard as mocking or friendly.
“Just about. I’m definitely feeling settled enough for a bit of dancing after tea. I mean dinner.”
“Excellent. Good to know you’re not one of those people who just don’t want to leave their room.”
Olamide sat opposite her, but she was already so deeply involved in a very academic sounding conversation with the middle-aged tutor to her right that she seemed entirely unaware of the presence of any other students at the table.
Harriet was torn between trying to speak to a tutor herself and maybe impressing them, and just chatting to Caroline and soaking up the ambience. A waiter came round and poured some white wine. Harriet took a few sips in quick succession and felt herself beginning to relax.
There was a large amount of cutlery and glassware. Harriet wasn’t entirely sure which to use first. At the start of each course, she took a surreptitious glance at Caroline and copied her. The blonde girl appeared to not even be consciously thinking about the issue, as relaxed as though she was at her local pub. Harriet’s thoughts drifted back to the Draughtman’s, and the leaving party they’d thrown her a few days previously. It all seemed a million miles away.
“You just start from the outside and work your way in,” Caroline whispered kindly but with a hint of amusement, catching Harriet’s eye as another course began.
“Well, that’s simpler than I thought,” she replied, trying not to sound too embarrassed.
The food was delicious. There was a spiced soup followed by chicken in a mushroom sauce, and finally a raspberry torte. As they eat and drank, Harriet found herself talking to Caroline as easily and naturally as if she’d known her forever. So far, her conversations with her fellow students hadn’t moved much beyond the level of small talk, but the two of them talked about their life before they’d arrived, their thoughts about Oxford and on into music and plans and gossip.
“There’s someone we’ve got to keep an eye out for tonight,” Caroline said conspiratorially. “He’s a law student so he’s sat right at the other end of the hall for now, but in the club I’m going to track him down.”
“So what’s Mr Lawyer’s name?” Harriet replied.
Caroline giggled and took a few sips of drink. “I probably shouldn’t say actually.”
“Oh come on,” Harriet answered. “You can’t tell me this much and then stop.”
“Okay fine. He’s called Ben, but for goodness sake don’t tell him I said anything. I met him this afternoon.”
“Did anything happen?” asked Harriet, eager for freshers’ week scandal.
“Sadly not. We flirted a bit but there’s a limit to how far you can go at a tea party with your parents present. In a club though, now that’s a different story. He’s fit. And he seems a real laugh.”
By now, they’d finished eating, and as Caroline finished speaking, the President of the College banged a hammer. Everyone stood and Harriet quickly did the same. He intoned a brief prayer in Latin before leaving the room, with the other professors and fellows.
“Looks like it’s club time,” said Caroline with a grin. “Let’s get rid of these gowns. I’ll meet you by the porters lodge in ten. Olamide? Callum? Are you guys coming?”
Callum shook his head. Olamide hesitated. “Well, maybe as it’s a special occasion.”
Caroline grinned. “Guys, it’s freshers’ week and believe me, I’m not taking no for an answer.”
***
They left via a large decorative stone archway known as the Porters’ Lodge. The Porters were responsible for both guarding the college and dealing with the day-to-day running of it. She’d already heard the rumours that they were all ex-army, perhaps even ex-SAS and wasn’t sure whether to believe it. As she walked past, one of them caught her eye.
“It’s Harriet isn’t it? I remember your mother and father when they were at the college. I never forget a student. None of us do. Don’t worry about anything. We’ll keep an eye out for you.”
Harriet smiled, but before she could reply, she was swept away by the crowd of students and found herself out on the street.
As they walked, she told Caroline and Olamide about Tom.
“Oh, I think I know who you mean,” mused Caroline. “I’m sure I talked to him just before dinner. Bloody gorgeous. If you think you’re in there you’d better get together with him quickly before someone else does.”
Harriet tried not to think about the numerous glamorous girls milling around. After a long queue outside the club, they finally made it inside. Every fresher in the University, and many older students had had the same idea – she’d never seen a club so full. She was sure dancing would be impossible and began to worry about whether she’d be able to find Tom at all.
The college rep however announced that they had a VIP area booked. “Follow me,” he shouted, struggling to make himself heard over the music and the crowds.
Working their way through the swarms of students, they made it to a door. Going through, they found themselves on a large balcony overlooking the main dance floor, decorated with an Arabian theme. As far as Harriet could tell, everyone in the room was from her college. It was full enough to make for a great atmosphere, but unlike downstairs, there was room to dance and even some space on large sofas to sit and have a drink.
The music was fun, being a mixture of the latest tracks, lots of cheesy stuff and a bit of RnB. In other words, if not the classiest combination, it was guaranteed to get a room full of slightly drunk students dancing like idiots. As Harriet gyrated, it struck her that she’d never really come across drunken posh people before. It was a slightly surreal experience. Nonetheless, she was appreciating the number of both athletic rowing and rugby types and floppy haired pretty boys. She felt on rather safer ground her than she had at the meal, having been a fixture of the clubs in her hometown since she’d turned seventeen.
Suddenly, in the middle of “I Am the One and Only”, Caroline grabbed her hand again and dragged her over the a corner of the room.
“Over there, that’s Ben. Finally. He must have come in late, or been lost in the big room.” Having spent most of the evening talking about him, Caroline now seemed reluctant to approach.
“Okay,” said Harriet, taking charge. “I’m going to buy you one more shot, and then we’re both going over there whether you like it or not.”
Caroline nodded and downed the proffered Sambuca. Before she could change her mind, both girls marched over to the sofa where Ben was sprawled.
“So I’m definitely thinking of doing a bit of rowing,” he was saying to the guys sat around him as they approached.
With a feeling of shock, Harriet realised that one of his companions was Tom. He’d had his back to her, so despite the distinctive dark curly hair, she hadn’t noticed from across the room, but close up, his hypnotically good looks were unmistakable.
“Caroline!” Ben shouted excitedly.”Amazing to see you again. You totally disappeared earlier.” He grabbed her and kissed her on each cheek before picking her up and spinning her around.
Caroline laughed as he placed her back on the ground.
Ben shuffled to the edge of the seat to make room for them both.
Harriet was pleased by Ben’s reaction. It seemed that Caroline wasn’t go
ing to be disappointed. Tom on the other hand barely appeared to have registered her presence.
“Hi Tom. Good to see you again,” she finally managed.
“Harriet. Hello. I’m glad you made it here and I hope you’ve been having a pleasant time so far.”
His oddly formal and distant tone confused her. “Yes it’s been great. The college is amazing and the people are lovely and tonight’s been really fun. Ready for some dancing?”
“I’m pleased to hear you’re enjoying yourself,” Tom replied. “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go and speak to someone.”
He gave Harriet one long look that made her shiver, deep blue eyes staring out from under his dark fringe. Then he disappeared into the main room.
“Wow, sorry about that,” said Ben, breaking off from a conversation with Caroline that had been causing her to laugh hysterically (whilst carefully tossing her hair and fluttering her eyelashes). “I don’t know what all that was about, he was the year above me at school and he’s got lots of chat usually. Must be having a bad night.”
He smiled broadly, a man who never lacked confidence and was exactly where he wanted to be. “Now, let me get you both a drink.”
Whilst he was at the bar, Harriet and Caroline turned to each other. “Oh my God, he’s even lovelier than I remembered,” Caroline giggled. “What do you think? Do you like him? Do you think he’s into me?”
“He seems nice,” she replied half-heartedly. “And of course he’s into you. His eyes lit up when you came over and he hasn’t stopped staring at you since. Unlike Tom.”
“Oh no, sweetie, what a dick. I can’t believe he basically blanked you.”
“So you don’t think I’m just being oversensitive?”
“Of course not, but it’s like Ben said, he’s probably just having a bad night. I’m sure if you talk to him tomorrow he’ll be much friendlier.”
Ben quickly came back, beaming and carrying drinks. Harriet took her vodka Red Bull gratefully. Ben and Caroline tried to include her in their conversation, but through their politeness, they clearly only had eyes for each other. After a while, she got up to dance.
“Just give me shout if you want me or you’re ready to leave,” she said to Caroline. “Otherwise I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Great to meet you Ben.”
Harriet danced with lots of people she barely knew, all of whom seemed fun and in the mood for making friends. The atmosphere in the room was still electric but she felt deflated. She glimpsed Tom briefly across the room at one point, but decided not to risk humiliating herself further by speaking to him again. She forced herself to keep dancing, to have some more drinks, to look like she was having fun and not to leave before the lights came on.
Chapter Three
Harriet woke the next morning with a banging headache, and for a few moments at least, no recollection of where she was. Looking around and remembering that she was finally in Oxford cheered her enough to get up and take some Paracetamol. Looking at her schedule, she realised she’d have to get ready fast to make the meeting with the history tutors. Trying to convince herself that she wasn’t about to be sick she showered and pulled on jeans and an embroidered green top. Taking deep breaths, she walked to the head tutor’s room.
There was no sign of Caroline, but she slipped into a seat next to Olamide. The meeting passed in a daze whilst she tried her best not to meet the tutors’ eyes. Luckily, the only question they asked her was a simple enquiry into what options she’d chosen, which she managed to answer calmly. The tutors gave a talk about how the History course worked and what they expected of their students – at least one, sometimes two 2000 word essays each week followed by an hour-long tutorial to discuss what they’d written. Lectures were optional though encouraged, but students were meant to do the bulk of their learning by reading. Lots and lots of reading.
Once the meeting over, they were free from scheduled activities for the day. In need of fresh air, Harriet decided to take the opportunity to explore the town properly. It was even more magical on foot. She looked around some of the other colleges (this didn’t dint her initial conviction that hers was the most beautiful), took photos of the nicest buildings and finished by buying herself home baked cookies at a little shop in the Covered Market. It was surprisingly easy to navigate, and when she decided it was time to head back she managed to find her college again quickly.
***
“So no, we didn’t actually hook up,” Caroline explained, sprawled on Harriet’s bed later in the day. “We were flirting like crazy and dancing loads. I kept thinking he was going to pull me on the dance floor but he never quite went for it.” She took a sip of the coffee that Harriet had made her and gave a dramatic, exaggerated sigh.
“But when the club was closing, he suggested we should walk back to college together. It’s a fairly long walk, so I was sure he was trying to get me on my own. We were leaving, I took his hand, it was all amazing, and then some of his idiot friends decided to join us. I’m not sure whether they were clueless or trying to ruin things but I was furious.”
“So you just went back to your own room?” The force of her friend’s emotions amused Harriet.
“Pretty much. He walked me back there and we had this awkward goodnight. He’d better not be one of those public school boys who are secretly terrified of girls.”
“He seemed very confident and very into you,” Harriet soothed. “I guess you’ve just got to give him time. You did better than me anyway.”
At this, Caroline smiled and jumped to her feet. “Well, my plan is to strike at the bop on Friday.”
Harriet racked her brains trying to think over the fresher’s guide she’d read. “Sorry, what’s happening on Friday?”
“The bop. They’re sort of fancy dress parties held in the bar, just for people at the college. A sound system is set up, the entertainment reps DJ, everyone gets drunk and silly and dances about.”
Harriet thought that sounded perfect. “So what’s the theme?”
“Animals apparently. So I’m thinking lets grab lunch in the bar, and afterwards the two of us can head into town and get some clothes.
Harriet agreed. She liked dressing up and loved shopping.
“We’ve got to make sure we look super cute and sexy,” Caroline said. “I’m going to sweep Ben off his feet, and you are going to have that Tom guy throwing himself at you.”
The two of them headed to the college bar for a late lunch. Ben was sat with Josh and the two boys waved them over.
“Hey, what are you two up to tonight?” Ben asked.
“Nothing in particular, why?” replied Caroline, playing with her hair flirtatiously.
“Oh, after you went to bed I bumped into Tom Flyte again. Apparently he’s planning a massive party in his room tonight. I wondered if the two of you fancied going.”
“Sound good to me,” Caroline said. “Are you in Harriet?”
Harriet could feel her heart pounding. There was nothing she’d like more than to go to a party hosted by Tom but she wasn’t sure she could bear him ignoring her in a situation where it would be obvious to everyone.
“Actually I already have plans tonight. I’m going to the Union with Ola. It’s the first debate of the year: This House Has No Faith in Her Majesty’s Government. It’s free and there are drinks before and after. I’m thinking of joining and it’d be a shame to miss it.”
She was intrigued about the Union, having been reading up on it. It had been founded as a debating society in Victorian times, and still prided itself on having influential or controversial speakers and well argued debates. It was also meant to have a strong social side and places on its various organising committees were viciously fought for.
Caroline looked aghast. “Well, if everyone’s finished eating we should be off. Shopping to do. Ben, I guess I’ll see you at Tom’s.”
She led Harriet out of the bar and walked hurriedly towards the college gates. “Are you mad?” she asked. “Didn’t you hear what Ben said?
Tom is holding a party. Tom who you are obsessed with. Why on earth aren’t you going to go?”
Harriet shook her head. “Well partly what I just said –I want to go to this Union thing. And partly, he was so weird with me last night. I can’t face that happening again. Let’s stick with plan A of trying to wow him at the bop with my sexy animal outfit. In the meantime, I need you to interrogate him.”
***
Harriet met Olamide at half seven in the porter’s lodge. She’d had a fun afternoon shopping with Caroline and was now the proud owner of a cat outfit comprised of tight black leather trousers, a black corset style top, a little satin collar and a set of cat ears and a long tail. She couldn’t wait for Friday night.
The Union was a large Victorian building set back from the road in the centre of town. A little passageway off the pavement led to a garden with buildings on either side.
“Any idea where we’re meant to go?” she asked Olamide.
The other girl shook her head. “We’d better ask someone.”
Harriet glanced around, wondering who to ask. Most people looked as lost as she felt. Then she saw a figure lounging against a pillar. He seemed supremely confident and at home there, and she felt sure he would be able to explain where the debate was. The only problem was how nervous she felt about approaching him. He gave off an air of being untouchable. She walked over and felt her nerves turn to shock. The lounging boy was utterly beautiful. He was tall and slender, with hair that was so blond it was nearly white falling to his neck. His face was delicate, almost feminine, but somehow Harriet was sure that he wasn’t to be messed with. His eyes were piercing green, similar to hers but even more dramatic. He was wearing an expensive looking suit, which couldn’t quite hide the contours of his sleek, toned body.
He gave her a curious glance, and although she’d made an effort to dress up, she felt frumpy and unattractive next to him. She wondered if anyone ever managed to have a conversation with him without feeling the same way.
Oxford Blood Page 3