I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Two weeks later during supper, where I was half absorbed in correcting typos on the lists for the World History and Arts sections of the study Alex cleared her throat and I looked up,

'I'm being rude, aren't I?'

'A bit, but that's all right, the study's never looked better. I wanted to let you know that our next meeting is on Thursday.'

'Meeting? We have a meeting?'

'With Professor Blackburn and the group. You said you'd go.'

'Oh, yeah. Yeah, okay. Thursday. What time?'

'Seven. It's at Professor Folland's house, he lives not far from here.'

I nodded, 'Okay.'

'Are you certain you're all right with this? You seem a bit...off.'

I waved away her concern, 'I'll be fine. I'm not big on being made into a show pony, but you'll be there so at least I won't be on my own.'

'You know, these people are very into their own little world, they probably won't even notice you.'

'Thanks.'

She laughed, 'I'm simply trying to allay your fears.'

'I know, I was only joking. I'm sure it'll be fine.' Though I wondered how any evening in Professor Burrows' company could be fine, as I doubted that he was magically charming when away from college.

Alex hadn't been joking when she said Professor Folland lived nearby, we were only in the car three minutes—or perhaps it felt that way because I was so nervous. The house was a detached, three-storey brick affair, set far off the road on a small hill. When we arrived, there were already several cars lined around the circle drive. She rang the bell and as we were standing on the front porch, waiting to be let in she reached over and patted me on the back, and whispered, 'I promise it'll be fine. I'll protect you.'

The blurry shape of a person appeared in front of the mottled glass that occupied the top half of the door, growing more defined as it approached. A young looking man with a closely trimmed beard, in a tweed jacket and brown slacks answered the door, holding a glass of brown liquid in one hand. He beamed as he let us in, 'Alexandra, how delightful to see you again. Thought you'd quite abandoned us!'

'Not at all, Gregory, how have you been?'

'Top hole!' He turned his happy gaze on me, 'And you must be our Alex's Catherine.' He offered his hand and I shook it.

I smiled at his phrasing, and answered quietly, 'Yes.'

Alex said, 'Catherine Perfect, this is Gregory Folland. Greg, this is Catherine.'

'It is splendid to finally make your acquaintance.' He studied me for a moment before nearly shouting to Alex, 'Please have your coats off!' Once he'd hung them in the hall cupboard he said, 'Do come in! Kenneth said you promised to join us, but we were beginning to worry.' He turned and I followed behind the two of them further down the hallway.

Alex explained our tardiness, 'Supper ran a bit late.'

'Oh well. Shall I fetch drinks?' He looked from Alex and back to me. Alex accepted a glass of wine and I declined.

Near the end of the hall we walked through an open door on the right and stepped down into the sitting room. The carpet was cream pile and looked new, there were large sofas arranged hectically around the room, most of which had people seated on them. On the far end of the room I spied Dr MacBeth, in her typical black, tonight she'd chosen a thick jumper over a turtleneck and ankle length skirt with boots. Beside her sat a younger woman dressed similarly, who also wore her black hair in a chignon and was quite pale. I thought perhaps they were related. On the sofa to my right were Professor Burrows and his wife who were talking to Professor Blackburn and two other people I didn't recognise, standing behind the sofa. There was another group of three people I didn't know, in an avid discussion on the left hand side of the room, near the doorway into what I assumed was the kitchen, as I could see white lino and a worktop.