Undying by Bernadette Azizi Read Free Book Online Page B

smile immense and pure, and for a moment we caught each other’s eye. His smile immediately changed, becoming warmer. Our eyes locked for a few seconds, then he raised one eyebrow and slowly lowered his head. I think he was embarrassed! I turned away quickly and continued to watch Dr Simons attempt to get away from Jules, but he didn’t stand a chance. She was whirling herself around, and being on the heavy side she barely cleared Dr Simons’ short arms. Their dancing seemed to break the formality of the room. Some teachers left the table in little groups to smoke out on the terrace and others started to move around and change seats. I stayed put, watching Jules dance, until, in the corner of my eye, I saw Mr Barclay stand and walk towards my end of the table. I pulled back my shoulders and sat up straight.
    “May I?” He asked.
    “Yes, of course!”
    He turned Jules’s seat slightly towards me with a slight grin and looked over his shoulder to peek at Jules and Dr Simons again.
    “It seems Dr Simons has accepted defeat,” he said with a grin as he turned back.
    “Smart man, there are some battles that just can’t be won!” I added with a giggle.
    “Very true!” he agreed.
    “Mr Kemp not joining us this evening?” I dared to ask; intrigued to know why my presence had upset him so.
    “Ah, there’s another battle,” he joked as he manoeuvred his neck in a manner that seemed like he was trying to relax himself.
    “I heard he was upset this evening, something about me causing an imbalance? What exactly what does that mean?” I asked.
    “Mr Kemp, another battle that cannot be won,” he repeated, laughing.
    I felt he was going to speak further, but Jules came back from dancing with Dr Simons and he got up immediately and gave her back her chair.
    “Excuse me,” he said with a smile and headed back to his chair.
    Dessert was now being served and everybody was back in their seats.
    I found myself constantly looking at Mr Barclay, and I was afraid that I was going to be caught. I didn’t have an appetite for dessert, which was out of character for me; it was just too hard to not look at him or to enjoy the rest of the evening with other company. I decided to leave.
    “Jules, would you think I was rude if I called it a night? It’s been such a long day and I am trying so very hard to stay awake.”
    “No, no, not at all. Everyone will understand. I will walk you to your room,” she offered and turned to Dr Simons to excuse herself.
    “No, please stay. I will be fine and I’m sure I can remember how to get back. And really no one needs to know that I’m leaving. I’ll go and no-one will notice.” I smiled and without waiting for her reply, I stood up. To my shock, so did the whole table of men!
    So much for my inconspicuous exit!
    There stood all these men, just because I was leaving the table! It was so English.
    “Please sit down. I’m going to call it a night. I can’t keep my eyes open,” I said with a nervous giggle.
    I smiled to Jules, who had taken my orders to stay on. I started to walk down the length of the table. I could hear the echoing voices of every gentleman saying “goodnight” as I passed. When I got to the end of the table where Mr Barclay was seated, I waited to hear his voice saying “goodbye”, but nothing came.
    I tried to hide my disappointment, when…
    “Catherine, I will escort you to your room if that is alright with you?”
    “Thank you,” I answered with a smile. Even though my reply was composed and assertive, my heart was beating quite fast; disappointed with my uneasy reaction I tried to concentrate on being normal and not so emotional.
    He excused himself to the teachers sitting close by then turned to me and smiled – an indication he was ready to leave. As we walked up the stairs and out of the room, my emotions were confusing. I tried to find some composure in the way I was feeling.
    “What do you think of your first day?” he asked with a smile.
    His