The First Time We Met: The Oxford Blue Series #1 by Croft Pippa

Author:Croft, Pippa [Croft, Pippa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781405917032
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2014-02-12T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

So, should I laugh – or cry?

The Skype window disappears from my screen and I sit back in my chair with a sigh. After I’d got back from the USSoc lunch, I spent the past hour or so chatting with my family while they enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe, in the circumstances, I’m allowed to have mixed emotions. Outside, darkness has descended on the quad and there’s a low mist wreathing around the Lodge tower. I’m used to the time difference now, but it feels weird to see the sun streaming in through the windows of our dining room in Washington while it’s past supper-time here.

My mother, father and three of my grandparents were all gathered around the table at our house in the time-honoured way. My paternal grandfather died when I was small, but my Grandma Cusack and my mother’s mother still come over to help with the turkey and pumpkin pie.

Everyone wanted to know how my studies were going and about the social life here and I showed them around my little room, which was quite surreal. My grandfather teased me a little, hinting about ‘new special friends’, but I side-stepped that one. Now I realize that I haven’t told them about Alexander and I ask myself why. Is it simply because it’s easier for me to keep my life private now I’m so far away? No, it would be too complicated and I can’t face the inevitable grilling from a distance. My mother would definitely want every last detail about Alexander’s family and Falconbury. She’d be on Debrett’s in a flash, and as for my grandmothers they’d never leave me alone – ever again.

There’s a knock at my door and my heart pitter-patters.

‘Hell-oo!’

It’s Immy. It may not be who I’d expected, but just what I needed, and there’s a huge grin on my face as I open the door to her.

‘How are you? Happy Thanksgiving!’ She holds up a bottle of Cristal in one hand and a ribbon-tied gift bag in the other.

‘Wow. You shouldn’t have.’

‘Why not? It must be horrible to be in this hole when you could be at home with your family … and with the Great Alexander away too, I thought I’d try and cheer you up.’

‘You just did.’

‘I hope you like it,’ she says, nodding at the bag.

Nestled in the blue tissue paper is a turquoise gift box that I recognize immediately. The Kate Spade Silver Street keepsake box inside has the word ‘Stowaways’ stamped on the lid.

‘I thought you could keep your bits and bobs in it.’ Immy’s voice sparkles with excitement.

‘It’s gorgeous and I totally love it – thank you, but I thought you were going to Brown’s with Skandar tonight?’

‘We are after he’s finished training so I can’t stay long, but I thought you might need a little company tonight – and any excuse to drink Cristal.’

As I give her a hug, I have a horrible moment when I think I might cry, but Immy pretends not to notice

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.