My Ice Prince
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– Yeah, I noticed it at Mariszka's wedding! – I said unhappily (then mum only knew how to sob). – Well, stop it, Stefania, I'm not dying!
– Okay, go to the landing, otherwise, she will not let you go, – said my father jokingly.
I hurriedly moved away from my parents.
– I'll make a phone call! – I shouted to them, and then quickly went through security, found my flight, boarded the plane and took my seat.
«Dear passengers, please fasten your seatbelts» I soon heard and involuntarily smiled in anticipation of the flight.
Everything around was new for me, absolutely unknown, interesting, and I looked at the passengers, the stewardesses, and the situation with all my eyes. I watched people, because I had never been in human society before, and even in an aeroplane: I had always flown only on my parents' private plane, and now the huge real world stunned me.
Unfortunately, I was unlucky with my neighbour: she was an older, full brunette who slept the whole way and snored quietly, sometimes chewing her lips, but it made me laugh and I didn't even turn on the music to watch her.
The flight went by quickly, or maybe it seemed that way to me. After landing, everyone suddenly started clapping their hands, and I was not lagging behind, although I wondered what all this action was for. And when people started to get off the plane, I was breathless at the thought that I was already in England. I walked out on wobbly legs, realising with all my being that I had entered another world, a world belonging to people… And in another country, another culture, another language environment!
Thanks to my keen people-watching, I successfully picked up my luggage, but I had to hire a loadman to do it – my numerous bags were
I went out of the airport building to hire a taxi (the luggage handler rolled my bags behind me on a trolley), but, as it turned out, there were no cars in the car park. I was confused, not expecting such a turn of events and previously believing that there was a whole crowd of taxi drivers waiting for me, hungry for my money.
– Miss Mroczek! – I suddenly heard an unfamiliar male voice not far from me.
«Is it calling for me? It can't be, because nobody knows me here!» – I thought, but I turned round to see the voice calling my name.
– Miss Mroczek… Misha Mroczek… It's you, isn't it? – A rather tall, dark-haired guy came up to me, and of course he spoke English.
There was no limit to my surprise.
– Yes» I replied. – Do I know you?
The guy grinned and looked me over from head to toe. His tactlessness caught me uncomfortably off guard.
– My eyes are actually here! – I told him sternly.
– Oh, I apologise… No, I haven't met you yet, but I've been waiting for you to show up for over an hour» he said confusedly. – My name is Harry Smith: my family is your landlord.
– It's nice to meet you, Harry, but I don't understand why you've been waiting for me. – I was even more surprised.
– I'll take you to the flat» he replied.
– Thank you, of course, but I could have got there on my own.
– I hope you won't insist on travelling alone to Oxford: I just thought it would be more convenient for you if I picked you up from the airport, and you wouldn't have the hassle of travelling and the extra cost of a taxi.
I was confused: this Harry had completely ruined my plans and my independent, carefully thought-out itinerary. At first I wanted to refuse him, but then I thought he'd come for me on purpose, and I felt sorry for the guy for having to wait for me for over an hour. Me, a girl he didn't even know.
– All right, Harry. And thanks for coming to get me, it's my pleasure» I finally said.
– Glad to help. So, where are your bags? – he said cheerfully.
I nodded towards the loader.
Harry grinned.
– Four huge bags?
– Yeah.
– Did you bring the whole wardrobe with you?
– Almost» I answered seriously, frowning at his mocking tone. – But I don't think that's any of your business at all.
Harry blushed a little.
– 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. – He smiled embarrassedly.
– It's okay, and I'm sorry» I said, feeling extremely awkward.
We walked in silence to his car, a big grey Jeep. Harry started to put my bags in the boot, and I paid the baggage handler and tipped him.
Then Harry and I got into the car.
– Don't forget to buckle up» the guy said as he started the engine.
I grinned and buckled my seatbelt, Harry did the same, and only then did we pull out of the car park and onto the road.
– How did you recognise me? – I asked.
– It was easy: your sister told my mother that you were a beautiful, thin, long-haired blonde» he replied.
«I'm not that thin!» – I thought grudgingly. The compliment left me completely indifferent: I was fed up with the admiration of others. It annoyed me.
– Are the students moving in already? – I asked, turning the conversation to another topic.
– I think so, but to be honest I don't know, as I'm rarely in Oxford.
– Why? I thought you lived there.
– Almost. We only live there in the summer, and for the school year we rent a flat and move to London» said the guy. – Can I ask you something?
– Please. – I was very amused by his tetchy English.
– Why Oxford?
This question, often asked of me by my parents, made me smile.