Asta isn’t in the dorm anymore, but the disaster of her rummaging is strewn around the room.
I head down to the grand parlour—but I stop on the way to rinse my hands.
I wash them of Courtney before I head into the grand parlour, and I spot my brother coming down the stairs from the other dormitories.
By the look of his outfit—black chinos, a tan sweater, boots, and a woollen coat—I suspect he’s joining me and Serena at the village, not headed to the slopes with Landon and Asta.
Mildred sort of invited herself along with them.
I pretended not to listen as I waited in the queue for the coffee station, but I heard every word behind me.
I heard Asta and Landon make their plans, then Landon spent a few minutes trying to convince me to join them. But after Serena announced she’d rather she and I go to the village, that’s when Mildred chimed in.
“I’ll go with you—if there’s room for one more.”
I’ve never heard her so softly spoken before, a mouse, a ghost, like if she makes herself too obvious then everyone will get spooked and run away from her.
I hope she feels as isolated as I always did.
I hope it hurts.
Oliver waits for me at the door.
As I approach, he pushes it open for me.
His unwelcome voice comes in a tired murmur, “I hear you and Dray are getting close.”
I throw a withering look at him as I march out into the corridor.
He shadows me. “Shared drinks and cigarettes in an alcove. Not the sort of courtship often seen among the aristos—but I suppose he has to start somewhere with you.”
“You almost sound put out by it. Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Pardon my tone. I mean to praise you. Father is impressed by the reports of your behaviour—and the consistency of your mediocre grades.”
I can hear the smile in his words, but I don’t look over my shoulder to check.
“Still snitching?”
“Never stopped.”
I take the sharp turn down the final length of the next corridor.
Oliver follows at my heels. “I do hope it continues.”
The smell of breakfast lures me in—but I won’t be eating in the mess hall this morning.
Still, it floods my mouth more the closer I get.
I swallow. “Your snitching?”
“Your behaviour,” Oliver corrects. “While it’s impressive you haven’t fallen apart yet or done something catastrophic in the ultimate act of self-destruction, I do know you. I’m concerned that, if you are on the verge of crumbling, you won’t come to me before you act.”
Finally, I do look back at him, and it’s with a smile of filth. “I would rather confide in Mildred about my feelings. And what I do with Dray is none of your business.”
Oliver cuts in front of me and, with a grip firm on my arm, pins me in place. “It’s entirely my business,” he says, and his emerald eyes burn down at me like green flames. “You need to be careful, Liv. Rumours are running around about you and Harling—about you being seen together in London, at the museum, at the park…”
His jaw tenses, like the mere reminder of my date with Eric fills him with a fiery storm.
