Undying by Bernadette Azizi Read Free Book Online Page A

her way out of my room.
    So far, I had found Jules to be extremely entertaining. Even the way she walked was kind of funny: her body swung from side to side. I smiled and followed her.

C HAPTER T HREE

    The ballroom was stunning. There was a single long table in the centre of the room that was covered in white linen, lit up with countless candles in beautiful candelabras and a striking flower centrepiece. Soft ambient music was playing in the background. The lights were dimmed to give the candles maximum effect. It was spectacular. The walls were covered with an array of paintings and tapestry. All the men were dressed in tuxedos, and they all looked very proper. As I glanced around the room I couldn’t help notice that Mr Barclay had not arrived.
    Where could he be ?
    Jules was over by the table, speaking to one of the waiters, giving her approval I guessed. Sure, the room did look great, but I was now more interested in seeing Mr Barclay again.
    “Catherine, let’s sit. I believe everyone is here now. You will sit here at the head of the table as our newest addition,” Jules announced as she gestured to a male teacher to pull out my chair for me.
    “Oh, Jules that isn’t necessary! Please! I am happy to sit beside you!” I pleaded, hoping my desperation was not too obvious.
    “I won’t take no for an answer, Catherine, and I will be right next to you,” she said, ushering another male teacher to pull out her chair for her. In a matter of minutes all but two seats were full, and Mr Barclay and Mr Kemp were nowhere to be seen.
    “Jules, will Mr Barclay and Mr Kemp be joining us for dinner? I noticed they both aren’t here yet.”
    “Catherine, please don’t remind me. I can’t believe that Mr Barclay is missing out on this dinner because of Mr Kemp,” Jules replied with frustration.
    “What do you mean? Is there something wrong?”
    “The only thing wrong is that Mr Kemp is still at this college! Dr Simons was telling me that Mr Kemp was on the roof causing a fuss again, carrying on about your arrival being an imbalance in the stars. Mr Barclay has been with him now for over an hour trying to calm him down and have him join the dinner.”
    Jules sighed and shook her head.
    “And to make matters worse, this whole night was arranged by Mr Barclay. We are so lucky to have such a talented and caring principal. You know he doesn’t have to work? Mr Barclay is extremely wealthy but he chooses to stay and better this school, and now he’s missing out on this dinner because of such an annoying man.”
    Jules stopped talking – a rare occurrence – and her disappointed look turned to joy. I looked in the direction in which she was looking and the sight of Mr Barclay coming down those stairs was such a relief! He looked amazing! He immediately went to the end of the table, opposite me.
    “Please accept my apology. I was unavoidably detained,” he apologised and sat down.
    He looked different from this afternoon – tired and somewhat sad. I felt his despair and I was immediately saddened. The wonderful mood I was in earlier had disappeared and I didn’t know why. I didn’t speak much – just an occasional nod to any question that was asked of me. Jules didn’t seem to notice as she and Dr Simons were utterly engrossed in conversation.
    James didn’t speak much to anyone that evening and made no eye contact with me at all. I felt unimportant.
    I really don’t like Mr Kemp! I wonder what he had done or said to Mr Barclay. Maybe Mr Kemp should stay outside under the stars permanently as our school’s gnome if that would make him happier?
    The evening was not what I had hoped for. It was slow, quiet and boring. The fact Mr Barclay was in an off mood caused my own mood to sink. When Jules suddenly grabbed Dr Simons and tried to convince him to dance against his will, it was the only time that forced me to smile. Looking around the table, I saw that everyone else was amused by them also, even Mr Barclay, his