My Ice Prince - стр. 14

– Thank you, of course, but I could have got there on my own.

– I hope you won't insist on travelling alone to Oxford: I just thought it would be more convenient for you if I picked you up from the airport, and you wouldn't have the hassle of travelling and the extra cost of a taxi.

I was confused: this Harry had completely ruined my plans and my independent, carefully thought-out itinerary. At first I wanted to refuse him, but then I thought he'd come for me on purpose, and I felt sorry for the guy for having to wait for me for over an hour. Me, a girl he didn't even know.

– All right, Harry. And thanks for coming to get me, it's my pleasure» I finally said.

– Glad to help. So, where are your bags? – he said cheerfully.

I nodded towards the loader.

Harry grinned.

– Four huge bags?

– Yeah.

– Did you bring the whole wardrobe with you?

– Almost» I answered seriously, frowning at his mocking tone. – But I don't think that's any of your business at all.

Harry blushed a little.

– 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. – He smiled embarrassedly.

– It's okay, and I'm sorry» I said, feeling extremely awkward.

We walked in silence to his car, a big grey Jeep. Harry started to put my bags in the boot, and I paid the baggage handler and tipped him.

Then Harry and I got into the car.

– Don't forget to buckle up» the guy said as he started the engine.

I grinned and buckled my seatbelt, Harry did the same, and only then did we pull out of the car park and onto the road.

– How did you recognise me? – I asked.

– It was easy: your sister told my mother that you were a beautiful, thin, long-haired blonde» he replied.

«I'm not that thin!» – I thought grudgingly. The compliment left me completely indifferent: I was fed up with the admiration of others. It annoyed me.

– Are the students moving in already? – I asked, turning the conversation to another topic.

– I think so, but to be honest I don't know, as I'm rarely in Oxford.

– Why? I thought you lived there.

– Almost. We only live there in the summer, and for the school year we rent a flat and move to London» said the guy. – Can I ask you something?

– Please. – I was very amused by his tetchy English.

– Why Oxford?

This question, often asked of me by my parents, made me smile.

– Because Oxford is my dream» I admitted honestly, glancing at Harry.

He smiled, and I thought about the fact that he was pretty good-looking. But then I tapped myself on the forehead with an open palm.

– Oh, I forgot! – came out of my mouth in Polish.

– What?» Harry asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise: he obviously didn't know Polish.

– I remembered that I forgot something very important in Poland! – I mumbled in English.

I had forgotten what I should have taken in the first place – Maria’s list of rules.

– It happens to everyone» Harry smiled. – By the way, you don't have to buy a bicycle, you can ride Mary's.

– Mary? – I asked.

– Yes, that's my sister. She's seventeen. She's gone to stay with our uncle in Scotland, and her bike is all yours.

– That's great» I said, but I didn't feel any joy.

– You and your sister look very much alike. How many years older is she than you? – The guy suddenly asked.

– Seven» I answered without thinking.

A rather pointless, banal question.