Chapter 11
Across the Bar
One Hour Earlier
From his seat at a corner table of the Sheep Heid Inn, Nathaniel reflected that there were few things more awkward than a night out at the pub with one’s supervising professor.
But Nathaniel had managed to find one—a night out at the pub with one’s supervising professor and the academic rival who detested you for absolutely no reason.
He shot a sideways glance at Andrew Thompson, who sat next to him. Thompson hadn’t said much, but then again, neither had Nat, on account of the fact that Professor Kerr was surprisingly loquacious after a few pints.
The professor was currently relating a grievance with the current Scots Law Professor involving the seating chart at a banquet dinner that had taken place in 1794.
Nathaniel had heard the story at least eight times, but he smiled and nodded along.
It was better, after all, than making conversation with Andrew Thompson.
A barmaid appeared at their table. “Anything else for you gents?”
Nat watched with dismay as Professor Kerr quickly drained his glass. “Another one of these. Better make it two.”
Nat grimaced. Professor Kerr was matching him and Andrew drink for drink. Unfortunately, he was matching Nat and Andrew combined.
“How about some food?” Nat suggested. “We could split a plate of sausages, or—”
“Oh, no.” Professor Kerr patted his stomach. “I didn’t save any room!”
That was precisely what Nat was afraid of. “Is there a soup?” he asked the barmaid.
“Aye,” she replied. “There’s cock-a-leekie or cullen skink.”
“I’ll have a bowl of the cock-a-leekie,” Nat said.
“I’ll have one as well,” Andrew said, surprising Nat.
The barmaid departed. An uncharacteristic silence descended over the table, so Nat decided to seize the opportunity. “Thank you again, Professor, for covering my lectures during my upcoming research trip.”
Professor Kerr waved this off. “’Tis no trouble, my boy. I doubt any of your students will enroll during the summer term, anyway.”
Nat blanched. “My trip isn’t during the summer term. I leave tomorrow, sir.”
“What?” Professor Kerr drew back, looking affronted. “I thought it was during the summer when everyone is away.”
Nat’s chest was so tight he could scarcely breathe. He was certain he had mentioned the dates of his trip. Multiple times.
He tried to hold his voice even. “No, sir. My hope is that I’ll be able to observe nesting behavior in eagles, and that occurs in the springtime.”
Professor Kerr waved a hand. “Oh, well, I won’t be able to do it, then.”
The professor smiled as the barmaid returned with two more pints, oblivious to the fact that Nathaniel was flying into a panic.
Beneath the table, Nat’s hands were tangled in a knot.
He struggled to remain calm as he said, “I’ve made things as easy for you as possible.
I’ve written all my lectures in advance.
All you will need to do is read them aloud and answer any questions the students might have.
I’ll be back in time to administer exams, and—”
Professor Kerr shrugged. “I never would have agreed had I realized the timing of it.” He started to lift one of his pint glasses, then abruptly set it down.
“Oh, bother. Too many of these. I’d better go and find the necessary.
” He clapped his hand on Nat’s shoulder as he lurched to his feet. “I’ll return in a moment.”
Nat was dimly aware of a bowl of soup being slid in front of him.
What was he going to do? Professor Kerr had promised to cover his lectures while he was gone.
Was he going to have to cancel his trip?
That was the last thing he wanted to do, but if he did go without anyone to cover his lectures, he would be at risk of losing his fellowship, and—
“Nathaniel? Nathaniel?”
He jerked when someone shook his arm. “What?” He wheeled around to find Andrew looking at him. Nat expected his rival to look gleeful, but to his surprise, Andrew looked concerned.
“Sorry,” Nat said, wiping his palms, which had gone sweaty, on his napkin. “I was, er… Woolgathering.”
“I understand,” Andrew said. “That’s rotten of Professor Kerr to spring that on you. You said you leave tomorrow?”
Nathaniel braced himself for the gloating to begin. “That’s right.”
Andrew shook his head as he took up his spoon. “Just rotten. Well, don’t worry about it. I’ll cover your lectures.”
Nat stared at him agog, certain he had misheard. “You’ll what?”
“I’ll cover your lectures.” Andrew stirred his soup as if this was a normal thing to say to the man you detested. “It sounds like it won’t be much trouble, given the amount of preparation you’ve undertaken.”
Nathaniel didn’t know what to say. Could it be some kind of trick? Was Andrew going to promise to deliver his lectures, then sabotage him by immediately reneging?
Even if that was his intention, beggars couldn’t be choosers. Andrew Thompson was his only hope, God save him.
“Thank you,” Nat said, his voice thick with feeling.
Andrew gave him a little smile. “It’s all right. I know you’d do the same for me.” He scooped up another spoonful of soup. “So, tell me about your trip! You’re going to Lewis to observe golden eagles, right?”
“That’s right. There are supposed to be a few nesting pairs around Loch Raonasgail.”
“Is it very remote?”
“It is. Once we arrive, we’ll take a ship to the far side of the island. Then, the real fun begins…”
The strangest thing happened. Nat fell into conversation with Andrew Thompson. And it wasn’t a halting, awkward conversation. Andrew peppered him with interested questions. He oohed and aahed. He even laughed at Nat’s jokes—a high-pitched, nasal laugh, but it had a sincere ring to it.
After Nat finished outlining the trip, Andrew shook his head. “That sounds incredible! I’m envious.” He softened this admission with a sincere, but slightly wistful, smile. “I wish I could go on a trip like that.”
“You could,” Nat said at once. “You will. I’ll cover your lectures when you do.”
Andrew shrugged. “I do hope to perform some fieldwork someday, but it won’t be anything so grand on account of my vision.”
“Your vision?” Nat asked.
Andrew nodded, removing his spectacles and holding them out for Nat to see.
Nat noticed that they were exceptionally thick.
“It’s awful. Even with these, I can’t see much unless it’s within a foot of my face.
It’s the reason I chose entomology—I can actually get close enough to my specimens to study them. ”
Suddenly, the pieces were falling into place. Andrew had not ignored Nat those times they had crossed paths around the university. Andrew had not seen him. The cut direct was one of the gravest insults one could dole out.
But Andrew had never meant to cut him. It had been an honest misunderstanding.
Nat shook himself. “Do insects not have an annoying tendency to fly away?”
Andrew laughed. “Some of them do. Fortunately, there are enough species that are slower than me to keep me occupied.”
Nat took up his spoon. Now that his anxiety had abated, he recalled that he was hungry. “Tell me about your research.”
“Lately, I’ve been studying beetles. Such fascinating creatures!” Andrew’s eyes sparkled. “Did you know that the horned dung beetle can lift more than one thousand times its own body weight?”
“Really? A thousand times?” Nat shook his head. “It sounds impossible.”
“It does, doesn’t it? And yet, they do.” Andrew scooped up another spoonful of soup. “You should come by my office sometime and see them at work. Once you return from your trip, of course.”
“I’d like that.” Nat was surprised to find that he meant it. He took up his own spoon. “How many species of beetles do you have to study?”
“Twenty-seven. And hopefully more soon. There’s a species from South America that’s been dubbed the Hercules beetle.
I’ve a friend on the Smithers expedition right now.
He promised he’d try to bring some back for me.
” A faraway look came into Andrew’s eyes.
“I can’t wait to put it through its paces.
It’s a large beetle—up to three inches long—and it’s reputed to be very strong.
But I wonder how it stacks up against our humble dung beetle ounce for ounce… ”
As they ate their soup and chatted for the next half hour, a novel feeling settled over Nathaniel.
He rather thought it was contentment. His two closest friends had finished their degrees the previous year, and before tonight, he had yet to find someone with whom he shared such an easy rapport.
But he and Andrew were going to be friends. Real friends. He was certain of it.
Suddenly, spending the next few years working toward his doctorate seemed like a much more pleasant prospect. And Nat had the feeling that at the end of term, he would ask Andrew about moving into a boardinghouse with a few like-minded fellows after all.
“Say.” Andrew squinted and looked around. “Whatever happened to Professor Kerr?”
“Drat!” Nat shot to his feet. “He said he was going to use the necessary. He shouldn’t have been gone this long.”
“Knowing our luck, he probably fell in.” Andrew clapped Nat on the shoulder. “Last one there has to fish him out!”
Nat laughed. “Considering you’re covering my lectures for the next month and a half, I should probably be the one to fish him out, regardless.” He paused, looking Andrew in the eye. “Truly, thank you.”
Andrew shrugged. “I’m glad to do it. Now come on—let’s go rescue Professor Kerr.”
Fortunately, Professor Kerr had not fallen into the latrine.
Unfortunately, he had bumped into some fellow professors, with whom he had apparently enjoyed an undetermined number of additional pints.