– Can we go there right now? – I asked, trying to avoid the damn tea.

– Now? But you just got here.

– I'm not tired at all. Shall we?

– All right, but change your clothes: it's quite cold outside.

– I'll be right back!

Putting the mug on the table, I ran to my bedroom and quickly changed into jeans and a warm tunic to look like people at this time. I grabbed my wallet and put it in my favourite black shoulder purse and walked out into the hallway.

– Wow, you look so pretty! – I heard Mary's voice behind me.

I felt embarrassed: my looks didn't impress me.

– Thank you, you too» I answered her.

– Guys must be chasing you around! – Mary giggled, fiddling with her boots.

«Maybe I should go with boots too? I don't think I know how people dress in autumn at all!» – I thought, but still, I put on my sneakers and put on my tunic and my blue jacket.

– You're wrong. And let's not talk about that, shall we? – I asked, embarrassed by Mary's words.

– Tell me, did Harry ever flirt with you? – It was as if she hadn't heard me.

It's a good thing I'm not blushing, or I'd be as red as a cancer.

– No, he didn't. I asked you to! – I said reproachfully. – I don't like these conversations!

– But why? I just…» She cut herself off, glancing at me.

We left the house in silence. I closed the door.

– Wow, the first time! It took me twenty minutes to open it today» she exclaimed. – You've got talent!

– You just have to push on the lock, that's all. Well, take me to your seamstress» I said, already cooled by my irritation.

Mary laughed merrily and, taking me by the arm (which I hadn't expected), led me into the workshop.

– Where did you come from? – Mary asked.

– Warsaw. That's the capital of Poland. Maybe you've been there? – I answered.

– So you're Polish? Yeah, you have a weird accent. No, to be honest, I haven't been off the island at all, and I don't want to. I just want to live in Oxford, work, go out, have fun, you know, live.

She tripped, but I was just in time to stop her from falling.

– Wow, thank you… You're skinny but strong! – Mary said with surprise. – But let's go out into the sun: you're as cold as a dead man.

«Why does she keep emphasising that?» – I thought irritably.

We stepped out into the middle of the road, and we were enveloped by the still diffuse rays of the morning sun. It felt really nice, and I squeezed my eyes shut. I loved the sun.

How abruptly my life had changed! Just yesterday I was going to live alone and not socialise with people. Harry didn't count – it was just an experiment. Now I was walking hand in hand with this strange, laughing girl, almost a punk, who I would be sharing my house with. If my parents or any of my parents found out about this, I'd be killed!

– Harry told me you were studying in Scotland» I said, determined to find out more about Mary.

– Harry doesn't know I'm here. Yes, I went to school there, and then I wanted to go to college, but I didn't get an interview, and do you know why? I forgot to take off my nose piercing, and it's such a strict college! They have such terrible rules! – Mary even shook her head.

– Then why did you want to go there? You're so free-spirited» I said, not wanting to offend her with the word «free-spirited».

– It's not me, it's Harry, he's been so insistent on reeducating me. He thinks I'm a tomguy. But I'm not.

I didn't say anything because I was thinking what Harry was thinking.

– Do you have any brothers or sisters? – Mary asked.

At that moment, two cyclists rode past us shouting, «Hello girls!»

I frowned and Mary shouted after them: «Hi!»