Page 79 of The English Professor

Chapter 38

Jack

I’m so nervous my palmsare sweating and Charis is starting to notice.

Poetry evenings are a longstanding event for the English Department and not only a great way for the students to perform their work, but it’s also an opportunity for them to showcase their talents to the local community. I had promised Charis that I would be here for the poetry evening, an event I normally ran for the department, and that Charis would now be taking over. I hadn’t really wanted to come tonight, but I thought I ought to, as a show of support for one of my colleagues. The last time we ran one of these it was in one of the colleges, but this time we’ve been offered the space in a local café. It’s up a steep hill on the other side of town and it’s not big inside, but there is a large space with a microphone set up and booths, tables, and chairs set along on the wall opposite.

‘Jack, you alright? I’ve got this if you’re not feeling well,’ Charis offers.

‘I’m fine, thanks.’

I’m not nervous about the poetry evening, exactly. Leyna is going to show up any second now and this would mark the start of something new for us—a proper date night.

I watch as Charis walks over to greet the invited speaker just as she arrives.

‘Ah, here’s Jack,’ Charis says as I approach both of them.

I hold my hand out, ‘Jack Stanhope,’ I say, shaking hands with the woman.

‘Denise,’ she says smiling. We always try to get a professional word artist, but it can be difficult at times. Getting Denise Unsworth was a real victory—another reason I had to turn up this evening—and I suspect the venue will be rather more packed than usual given her popularity.

‘Is there anything we can get you? Does everything look alright?’ Charis asks Denise.

‘Looks smashing.’

‘Well, let us know if you need anything.’

As people start filing in and Denise gets ready for her performance, Charis turns to me. ‘Thanks again, Jack. I really appreciate all the support this evening.’

‘It’s no bother, really,’ and I mean it. Mentorship is important in academia, regardless of what some of my colleagues think. Despite my tendencies towards isolation and my go-it-alone attitude, I have always believed that those of us who are more senior should support the newer staff. It makes for a better transition of tasks, but I also happened to believe that it made for a nicer atmosphere in the department itself—even if I was the only one.

Just then I see Leyna walk in. She doesn’t see me as I watch her enter from the other side of the café. She looks perfect. Her long hair is straight as a pin and she’s wearing a bright green wool coat which ties around her slim waist with a pair of tall brown boots. My heart swells at the sight of her. For the first time in a long time, I finally feel like my life is starting to fall into place. Having Leyna here is like connecting a puzzle piece that I never had before.

I wave and she walks over. She looks uneasy, like a stranger who’s just walked into an unfamiliar village pub and isn’t sure if they’ll be welcomed or pilloried. I can feel her disquiet straight away and I long to put her at ease. I want Leyna in my life and I want her to feel comfortable. And what I really want is to embrace her here, in front of everyone. For now, I keep my hands in my pockets and so does she.

‘I’m so glad you’re here.’

She smiles and nods, shrugging her shoulders and unconsciously holding her arms close to her body.

Charis appears out of nowhere, two drinks in hand.

‘Leyna!’ Charis practically pouts. ‘Oh. I didn’t realise the admin staff came to these sorts of things?’ She looks positively perplexed. ‘I... I didn’t send out invitations.’

‘I invited Leyna,’ I say, slightly annoyed at the tone she’s taken. ‘I always invite the whole department,’ I clarify, even though it’s not true. I can’t tell if Charis is purposefully being rude or not. Regardless, I can feel myself getting angry. I’ve known Charis for a few years, and whether she means it or not, her remarks are out of line. She should not have said that.

‘Oh,’ Charis says disdainfully. ‘This is for you,’ and she hands me one of the drinks she’s holding.

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