My Ice Prince - стр. 31

– What a shame! Damn, there was no hurry! – Mary said annoyed. – But I'll get some fresh…

– No, don't! I'm not hungry! – I exclaimed hastily.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise and sat back in the chair from which she had already risen.

– You're awfully strange! – said my neighbour. – But I won't insist.

– Thank you. – I sat down opposite her.

While Mary ate her lunch, I sat on a chair with my hands on the table and looked out of the window. It was an incredible sensation to sit next to someone who was eating roast meat and potatoes and drinking tea. And it's going to happen a lot.

– When do you start school? – Mary asked.

– Monday» I said. – And I'm a little nervous.

– Of course you are. Do you know anyone there?

– No, nobody at all. But that's no problem.

Mary took a sip of tea.

– It must be so exciting: new people, new acquaintances! Are you going to join any hobby groups?

– I don't know yet» I admitted. – I have to…

Suddenly there was a persistent loud knock on the door.

– Who is it? Are you expecting someone? – Mary asked me.

– I don't know anyone here but you! – I answered, surprised at the unexpected visitor, and listened: someone was shuffling from foot to foot, his heels clicking on the stairs.

– I'll get it, and you have your food» I said, rising from my chair.

– Thank you» Mary said.

When I opened the door and saw the guest, I was surprised to see Harry Smith.

– Good afternoon, Miss Mroczek» he said kindly.

– Good afternoon» I replied. – I don't think you called me that formally yesterday. Why did you come?

– I came because of Mary. I sincerely apologise on behalf of our family for the inconvenience» he replied.

– What inconvenience? – I didn't understand.

– Mary's arrival: she shouldn't have come and interfered with you, since you're renting-» Harry began.

– It's nothing! Mary didn't inconvenience me at all! – I interrupted him. – I'm even pleased that we're going to live together. Your sister is an amazing girl.

– And I thought you were very unhappy about her coming. Then I should lower the rent for you.

– Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Mary is not a burden to me, and there is no need to lower the price» I said hastily, thinking that Mary would be surprised to see that she had been repaid some of the rent, and would investigate why.

– But…

– That's my last word. But why are we standing on the doorstep? Come in, we're just having lunch.

I went inside, Harry came in too, took off his grey jacket and shiny black shoes, and made his way into the kitchen.

– Brother! What are you doing here? – Mary exclaimed cheerfully: she was washing the dishes. – I'd give you a hug, but my hands are wet!

– Hello, Mary, I've come to find out how you got here» said Harry, sitting down on a chair.

– Would you like some tea? Misha will make you some now.

«Me? Make him tea?!» – My eyes went wide at that statement.

– No, Misha, you don't have to: I won't be long» Harry told me.

Phew! I was certainly looking forward to human life, but I certainly wasn't going to make people tea!

I felt the urge to leave them to talk in private. Besides, I felt superfluous – this was their human family and their human relationships, and none of this was my business.

Quietly leaving the kitchen, I hid in my bedroom. It now seemed to me that living in the same house with Mary had not been the best idea, and that I had rushed into this decision. Mary was too much. Too much.