Chapter 7 #3
“That would be lovely.” Emily had been so caught up in acclimating to her new environment and thinking about her twin that she hadn’t spent any time trying to socialize. She decided now was as good a time as any, particularly since this young man seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere.
Their conversation flowed smoothly as they walked toward a café.
“Is this your first year studying here?” he asked.
“Is it that obvious?” Emily said with a tight smile.
“Just a wee bit,” Blair teased. “I am certain you will get along swimmingly. What are you studying?”
“I am in a research program in comparative art history,” Emily answered easily.
“Ah. Any particular part of history?” Blair asked and gestured for them to turn the corner.
“I’m fascinated with the transition from Medieval to the Renaissance, the timelines between cultures of Europe.”
“That’s rather heady.” Blair seemed impressed.
“I suppose. But there were so many things going on all over the world, yet so much was also a microcosm.”
“Aye. Heady,” Blair teased.
When it was Blair’s turn, he shared that he too was working on a postgraduate degree and was enrolled in Downing College, a few blocks from Peterhouse. This was to be his second to last year before he would be required to take the tests to become a solicitor.
When they arrived at the café, Blair pulled a chair out for Emily. She nodded with a polite “thank you.”
Patrons were required to place their orders at the counter. “What shall you have?” Blair asked.
“Flat white, please.”
“At your service,” Blair said and walked to the station where the barista was standing. “Two flat whites and two scones, please.” He pointed to one blueberry and one cranberry, paid for the items, and returned to his seat. Several minutes later the barista called his name.
“Blair, you’re up!”
He excused himself and retrieved the afternoon repast, which the barista placed on a tray.
“Oh, this is lovely,” Emily cooed. “How much do I owe?”
“Oh, no. This is my treat. Please.”
Emily wondered if she should insist but decided that perhaps she should just graciously accept. “Thank you very much,” she said demurely.
“Tell me more about your studies here,” she said after she took her first sip.
“Rather boring.” Blair cut the scones in half, picked up the plate and offered them to her.
“Thank you.” She placed one on her napkin. “Why so?”
“There are so many laws with an equal amount of loopholes.”
“What area of law are you specializing in?”
“Criminal law is too depressing. Divorce law is frightening; the clients will always blame their solicitors when things go awry.”
“Then what are your options?” Emily lifted her cup.
“I think estate planning is rather safe, although I’ve watched enough episodes of Succession to understand that someone in the family isn’t going to be happy at some point.”
Emily chuckled. “You’re rather funny. Have you considered entertainment law?”
Blair tilted his head. “That would be splendid if I could represent someone like Adele, or Dua Lipa.”
“You keen on female artists?” Emily asked curiously.
“Not necessarily. They simply seem to be well-behaved.”
Emily snorted. “But wouldn’t they need criminal lawyers if they weren’t?”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Blair smiled.
He is rather fine looking, Emily thought to herself.
“But you have given me something to think about.” He paused and cocked his head “Or perhaps I can represent golfers. We certainly have plenty.”
Emily lifted her cup in a toast. They tapped the cardboard containers.
“And Bob’s your uncle!” she said.
Blair chuckled at Emily’s use of an incredibly old expression which dated back to the 1800s. They sat and chatted for almost an hour before Blair noticed the time and jumped up.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I have something on my schedule in thirty minutes. I must head back to the college.”
Emily checked her Timex watch. It was given to her by her father for her fifteenth birthday. She wore it every day. Blair noticed the timepiece on her wrist. “Is it true that it ‘takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’?”
Emily looked at him quizzically. “Sorry?”
Blair grinned. “I suppose we’re both too young to remember the advert they ran many years ago.
The only reason why I know it is because I watched a doc on the birth of television advertising.
Quite fascinating. At that time, they were simply guessing who might be inclined to be motivated by their ads. ”
“And now they simply check the algorithms,” Emily said.
“Pity, innit?” Blair remarked.
“Rather Orwellian, I should say,” Emily responded.
Blair had an ear-to-ear smile on his face. “Pardon me for being cheeky, but you’re rather charming, Emily Evans.”
“No cheeks were harmed,” Emily quipped in return.
Blair and Emily rose from the table and headed out the door. Emily was the first to speak. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Blair Wallace.”
“Likewise.” Blair held out his hand. “I do hope we can do this again,” he said cautiously.
“That would be lovely. And thank you for the coffee. And the yummy scones.” Emily was about to walk away when she realized neither had exchanged contact info.
Apparently, Blair had the same thought and blurted, “Contact information?”
Emily giggled. “Right.” She pulled out her mobile, Blair did the same. They exchanged numbers and Blair added, “Mind as you go.”