you were ever bullied at school,’ began Katy stepping out of the car.
Oscar hadn’t been. His intellect, humor and love of sports had only ever ingratiated himself with his fellow boarding school pupils at Eton. There was no need to interrupt to confirm her correct implication that his school life was prosperous.
‘When you are bullied or clash with a particular gang or type of student, the teachers tell you the world will change when you leave school. They’ll tell you people grow up and you won’t be subject to bullying because you’ll be living in a shiny new mature world, totally different from the school yard. It’s a load of baloney. No one said anything to me while you were in the bathroom and that was the problem.
‘It was as if the minute you left the room I became invisible. No, it was worse than that, I became unwanted. Your accessory was only dazzling when attached to you. Without Oscar Woodruff to show me off, I was another piece of jewelry sitting on display. A product that only becomes useful or attractive when placed on someone of importance. The women broke into cliques. I know tonight was important to you.
‘Standing there as a moody cow, wasn’t our united image. Each time I took a step closer, desperately hoping someone would see me alone and gather me in for a friendly chat, the circle of close-knit friends tightened, barricading me from attempting contact. The rejection was embarrassing. Even worse; I embarrassed you.’
Oscar remained seated in the car, his knuckles whitening as he tightened his grip on the locked steering wheel to calm himself.
‘Those uppity Hampton whores have probably spent every summer here since birth. They are as thick of thieves and I wouldn’t dream of suggesting delusion or paranoia on your part. What I would say,’ he said opening his door to sit next to Katy on the bonnet, ‘is don’t think your exclusion had anything to do with your age or the fact that you aren’t a regular holiday-maker.
Probably you won’t believe me, but when we worked the room tonight in tandem we were did it with panache. Your composure, the way you conduct yourself, the fact you actively listen and show a genuine interest in people are assets those women will never possess. How could you embarrass me? I was and am proud to be with you.
‘Threatened by your age, your beauty and even worse, your natural ability to seamlessly enter a room and hold court, keeping everyone entertained with your wit and vast knowledge is something they can never compete with or ever come close to achieving. Don’t let some bitches who cling to their high school popularity ruin what has been an amazing day.’
Was that how Katy was? Had she flowed and participated actively in the intense onslaught of networking Oscar was forced to undertake as they entered the marquee? She thought she’d been stilted, mumbling wall flower. Was her view of herself so marred she was unable to realistically gauge her impact and presence in public?
‘You’re sweet, but I’m not sure whether you’re saying that to cheer me up and think it’s what I want to hear or if you genuinely mean what you say.
‘Katy, don’t you understand yet?’ he asked softly.
Curious, much as she preferred staring at the ground she was drawn to the blue eyes gazing intently at her.
‘I’ve no reason to lie or make things up. I see you. The real you. The person you are. It’s all I can do to contain the feelings that want to burst from my heart.’
Closing his eyes, he kissed Katy. His words drew blood in her heart, but she pushed all thoughts of undercover investigative journalism, to the back of her mind, letting herself bathe in the abundance of love Oscar conveyed through the gentlest kiss. She didn’t deserve this from him. He deserved better than her, but there and then they only wanted each other. Katy’s flesh was weak to the demands of her morally forthright mind.
One kiss led to another, each becoming deeper and
Oscar hadn’t been. His intellect, humor and love of sports had only ever ingratiated himself with his fellow boarding school pupils at Eton. There was no need to interrupt to confirm her correct implication that his school life was prosperous.
‘When you are bullied or clash with a particular gang or type of student, the teachers tell you the world will change when you leave school. They’ll tell you people grow up and you won’t be subject to bullying because you’ll be living in a shiny new mature world, totally different from the school yard. It’s a load of baloney. No one said anything to me while you were in the bathroom and that was the problem.
‘It was as if the minute you left the room I became invisible. No, it was worse than that, I became unwanted. Your accessory was only dazzling when attached to you. Without Oscar Woodruff to show me off, I was another piece of jewelry sitting on display. A product that only becomes useful or attractive when placed on someone of importance. The women broke into cliques. I know tonight was important to you.
‘Standing there as a moody cow, wasn’t our united image. Each time I took a step closer, desperately hoping someone would see me alone and gather me in for a friendly chat, the circle of close-knit friends tightened, barricading me from attempting contact. The rejection was embarrassing. Even worse; I embarrassed you.’
Oscar remained seated in the car, his knuckles whitening as he tightened his grip on the locked steering wheel to calm himself.
‘Those uppity Hampton whores have probably spent every summer here since birth. They are as thick of thieves and I wouldn’t dream of suggesting delusion or paranoia on your part. What I would say,’ he said opening his door to sit next to Katy on the bonnet, ‘is don’t think your exclusion had anything to do with your age or the fact that you aren’t a regular holiday-maker.
Probably you won’t believe me, but when we worked the room tonight in tandem we were did it with panache. Your composure, the way you conduct yourself, the fact you actively listen and show a genuine interest in people are assets those women will never possess. How could you embarrass me? I was and am proud to be with you.
‘Threatened by your age, your beauty and even worse, your natural ability to seamlessly enter a room and hold court, keeping everyone entertained with your wit and vast knowledge is something they can never compete with or ever come close to achieving. Don’t let some bitches who cling to their high school popularity ruin what has been an amazing day.’
Was that how Katy was? Had she flowed and participated actively in the intense onslaught of networking Oscar was forced to undertake as they entered the marquee? She thought she’d been stilted, mumbling wall flower. Was her view of herself so marred she was unable to realistically gauge her impact and presence in public?
‘You’re sweet, but I’m not sure whether you’re saying that to cheer me up and think it’s what I want to hear or if you genuinely mean what you say.
‘Katy, don’t you understand yet?’ he asked softly.
Curious, much as she preferred staring at the ground she was drawn to the blue eyes gazing intently at her.
‘I’ve no reason to lie or make things up. I see you. The real you. The person you are. It’s all I can do to contain the feelings that want to burst from my heart.’
Closing his eyes, he kissed Katy. His words drew blood in her heart, but she pushed all thoughts of undercover investigative journalism, to the back of her mind, letting herself bathe in the abundance of love Oscar conveyed through the gentlest kiss. She didn’t deserve this from him. He deserved better than her, but there and then they only wanted each other. Katy’s flesh was weak to the demands of her morally forthright mind.
One kiss led to another, each becoming deeper and
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