The Ones in Between by Lillian Lumley

Author:Lillian Lumley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shawline Publishing Group Pty Ltd
Published: 2023-05-01T23:50:30+00:00

chapter 12

THE ENGLISHMAN IN A FINNISH LAND

Hair colour: Dirty blonde.

Eye colour: Blue.

Height: Medium.

Weight: Slim.

Origin: English.

Personality type: Gentleman.

The constant flow of student parties continued throughout the semester. I was used to going out most nights of the week, and still managed to attend classes, even if it meant nursing a hangover in the lecture theatre. However, I was not prepared for the level of drinking the Finns did. They drank their vodka like it was water. It was not unusual for them to have casual shots during a family dinner and maintain a sober front. So, when I tried to keep up with Heikki and his friends at the student parties, I often ended up in a drunken mess.

“Kippis!” The exchange students clinked their glasses with the Finns, saying cheers to the exciting country we had found ourselves in. Before long, I would be wobbly legged and droopy eyed. This time, I had drunk way past my usual quota.

“Are you alright, Charlotte?” Elliot asked.

“Yeahhh, I’m just a bit drunk!” I slurred my words.

“I can see that,” he chuckled, “but do you need to go home, or have some water?”

“Let’s get some water. I’m having so much fun!” I hiccupped as he led to me to the bar.

“Two waters please,” he asked the bartender. I gulped down the water and swayed into him.

“Okay, let’s get you home.” He directed me towards the cloakroom, him for his stylish black doubled breasted coat, and me for my bright purple ski jacket, which despite my new coat, I still wore a lot. He took my arm, gently guided me out of the venue, and walked us the short way home to Domus.

“Can we build a snowman?” I swerved in the snow.

“Sure,” he chuckled, stopping by a park which was covered in the most beautiful untouched, powdery snow. Suddenly, I stopped as the ground began to spin under me.

“Are you okay?” Elliot peered worriedly at me.

“Umm,” I could feel my stomach begin to swirl with my head. Out of nowhere, my insides heaved, and out came an enormous projectile vomit. It was ejected with such force that a large vicinity of the snow was now sprayed with a dark pink-orange stain.

“Oh,” Elliot stared at me and I stared at my vomit.

“Oh no!” I could feel more coming up and I coloured more of the ice around me. I could taste the grapefruit and orange Finnish “long drinks” I had consumed and my throat burned from the vodka and stomach acid. I started to cry.

“Shh, it’s okay, don’t cry. We’re almost home,” Elliot said sweetly.

“I’m sorry.” Tears were streaming down my face and I was unsteady on my feet. Elliot handed me a tissue to wipe the puke that was smeared across my face and guided me home. As soon as we got there, he took off my coat, herded me into the bathroom and handed me my pyjamas.

“Take off your clothes and leave them in the bathroom. We can deal with them later. Just wash yourself up and get into your pj’s so you’re nice and comfy.

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