I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Eleven

Thursday I was in the library, packing up to go to Alex's office when Robert appeared, 'Did you get my letter?'

'Yes. You have atrocious handwriting, by the by.' I closed the flap of my bag.

'Well, what did you think of it? Did it make you feel anything? Can you feel anything?'

'I thought "I've told him I don't want to continue anything with him and he doesn't listen to me—if he can't respect that simple request then how can I trust him to respect anything else I ask of him?"' I pulled on my coat and started for the stairs.

'Why can't you give it a chance?'

'Why can't you let it go?' As we made our way out of doors I heaved a sigh, 'You say you find me irritating and snobby. I avoid people who bother me whereas you prefer to follow me about and inform me I'm a pain in the ass. I'm not telling you again: Short of common courtesies, I do not want to speak to you again. Full stop. Ever. Full stop.'

He followed along and when I reached the Head Porter's lodge I turned back to Robert, 'I'm not going to continue having the same conversation with you. If, in future, I realise that ridding myself of your company was a disastrous mistake then take comfort that I will know it was all my own doing. Good day.' I turned and went through the gates, stopping at Mr Phipps' lodge. 'Mr Phipps, I have asked this young man to leave me alone and he is not honouring that request.'

Mr Phipps stood up, 'Mr Martin? That's not very gentlemanly of you.'

'Yes, well...'

I continued on my way. While removing my coat in Alex's office I asked, 'Have you ever had a...something...relationship, acquaintanceship, whatever, where you had the same conversation with that person every time you were in the vicinity of one another?'

She poured the tea, 'I don't think "acquaintanceship" is a word. But yes. Conversational de ja vu, as it were.' She settled in her chair and played with the tea bag in her cup with a spoon, 'What conversation have you had ad nauseam?'

'The one where I tell Robert I'm not interested in him and he tries to tell me I would be if I weren't so stuck up. Why do boys think they can say anything, anything at all to you and you're going to go, "Oh, thank you for enlightening me with your male wisdom, inherent to having a penis! I should like to remove my pants for you now."' Alex burst into laughter. I heaved a sigh, 'Do they think I don't know what I want? I know what I want, I want to be left alone.' I looked around the floor, 'Remind me to pick up the contents of my spleen on the way out. I feel like all I do is flounce in here and vent about other people.'

'Everyone needs someone to vent to. All set to play?'

I rubbed my hands together, 'For once I'm really looking forward to the game. Losing always takes my mind off arguments with idiot boys.'

* * *

Saturday morning at eleven there was a knock and I said cheerily, 'It's open.' It was Robert. I groaned, 'What can you want?'

'To speak with you.'

'Whatever it is make it quick, my ride is going to be here any moment now.'

'What I have to say isn't going to be quick, when can I see you?'

'Never. That was the last thing I told you.'

He sat in one of my chairs, big mistake. 'Why won't you give me a chance?'

'I already did.' I could feel a rage coming on.

'Then a second chance.'

'We've done that one, too.'