Page 86 of The English Professor

‘Maybe.’ I’m distracted. I’m looking for a pair of earrings to go with the dress. ‘You know I never really care what anyone thinks. And Jack... Well, he always said he never wanted me to get hurt. You know, he describes his colleagues as snakes. But I work there too and yes, there are a few rotten individuals, but most people are fine. Besides, who’s going to judge us? Lorna? I couldn’t give a rat’s arse what she thinks!’

‘Ah yes, but one bad apple can ruin the bushel.’

‘Would you quit it? Everything will be fine. Jack and I are meant to be together.’

I hang up with Candace and survey everything. I carefully place the two paintings in the boot of my car, throw my tote bag in the back seat, and drive to the university.

Chapter 41

Jack

Imeet Leyna just outsidethe vice-chancellor’s house, a magnificent brick and stone edifice directly across from the university’s Botanic Gardens. In the springtime, the open field in front of the house is bursting with wild, yellow daffodils. As it’s December, there are no flourishing blooms, unless you count the divine woman accompanying me.

Leyna looks stunning. She’s wearing a pale blue dress that emphasises her plump breasts and the elastic band around the middle accentuates her narrow waistline. Her dark brown hair with flecks of auburn is loose and hangs down her back, curling just at the ends. I think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, hands down.

I steel myself for what will likely be a lot of dull discussions about the weather. ‘You look magnificent, love. We only have to stay as long as you want to. Once you have a glass, I’m sure you’ll be fine,’ I smile encouragingly at her.

Once inside, I make a beeline for the drinks and grab two glasses of Merlot. I hand one to Leyna and she takes a sip.

‘So, what are we supposed to do at these sorts of things?’ she asks.

‘Pretend to be extremely interested in one another’s conversations,’ I say. ‘Then do this really awful, posh laugh like we’ve both just come out of private school and our daddies have banking jobs lined up for us in the City.’

We both do our own terrible impressions of posh laughter.

‘Wait a second, youdidgo to private school!’ she cries.

‘Which gives me even more of a right to make fun of them.’

We chat with a few people. I can see that Leyna isn’t entirely comfortable yet, but she’s making an effort on my behalf, and I love her for it.

I love her.

‘Jack are you okay? You look a million miles away.’

I was a million miles away, but I squeeze her hand and smile tenderly down at her. ‘Leyna, after this, let’s go someplace nice. Someplace we can chat, just the two of us.’ I long for time alone with her and I don’t want to put off living our life together any longer.

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