The Ivy Lessons Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘I’ve already extended the invitation to Tanya here, so you’ll be in good company.’
    Tanya shrieks with laughter, then smiles at me. ‘I’m Tanya. Good to meet you Soph. Have you been here long?’
    ‘Just got here,’ I say. ‘I’ve only met one other student.’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘He’s called Ryan.’
    ‘Well let’s go grab him,’ say Tanya, ‘and head over to the student bar. It’s gone five. That’s beer o’clock, isn’t it?’
    Tom frowns. ‘Shouldn’t we unpack first, dearest?’
    ‘There’s plenty of time for that later,’ says Tanya, waving a dismissive hand. ‘Leave the bags in the boot and come for a pint.’
    ‘I don’t want to destroy your notions of me as an alpha male,’ says Tom, ‘but a gin and tonic is more up my street.’
    ‘Double?’
    ‘Indeed.’
    ‘Then that’s fine.’
    Tanya runs up the stairs to find Ryan, but comes back alone. ‘He says he wants to carry on getting his room in order,’ she says, putting an arm around both of our shoulders. ‘Never mind. He’ll catch us up.’
     

Chapter 10
    We tread a gravel path through manicured lawns, and find an oak door facing our student accommodation. When we push it open, there’s a cosy pub set up inside, with a bar serving real ales, whisky and brandies. All the stools are made out of beer barrels, and there’s thick rope nailed along the bar. I feel like we’re inside a ship.
    ‘How did you know this was the bar?’ I ask Tanya.
    She taps her nose. ‘Let’s just say I have a talent for more than just acting.’ She blushes. ‘Oh shit, that came out w rong. I don’t mean to sound big- headed or anything. I don’t mean ... I mean, I’m not saying I’m not a good actress but -’
    ‘There, there my dear.’ Tom puts an arm around her shoulder. ‘No need for this ridiculous modesty. We’ve all been awarded a place in one of the most prestigious colleges in the country. Of course we have a talent for acting. Which is not to say we don’t have a lot to learn. Now. What can I get you?’
    ‘Pint of Old Peculiar,’ says Tanya.
    ‘And you my love?’ Tom turns to me.
    ‘Um. White wine please?’
    ‘Certainly.’ Tom rings the bell, and to our surprise Wendy appears from some mysterious place at the back of the bar.
    ‘My word, a woman of many talents,’ says Tom. ‘Receptionist and landlord too. How marvellous.’
    Wendy gives him her toothy grin. ‘I run everything around here. You’ll soon learn. Well? What can I get you?’
    Tom gives her the order, and we all take seats on the stools.
    ‘I’m nervous about meeting him, aren’t you?’ says Tanya, holding her pint.
    ‘Meeting who?’ says Tom.
    ‘Who do you think? Marc Blackwell of course.’
    Out of the window, we see more pupils arriving. There’s a girl with icy blonde hair, and a tall, well-built boy who looks sporty.
    ‘Of course,’ says Tom. ‘The handsome and famous Mr Blackwell. Aren’t we a lucky bunch?’
    ‘You don’t sound all that convinced,’ Tanya points out.
    ‘Let’s just say that to me, he has less of an allure than to you two girls. I like people who are warm and friendly, not cold and aloof. But ... he is certainly one of the finest actors alive today. And I was very impressed by him in The Windows of Your Mind . He’d clearly done his research. So, I’m looking forward to being taught by him, although I can’t see myself getting on with him well as a human being.’
    ‘He may be on the cold side, but he’s just so ... charismatic,’ says Tanya. ‘In my audition, I nearly fainted when I saw him. It’s those eyes. You see the whole world in them.’
    ‘Maybe,’ says Tom. ‘But I’m just saying that, since he has no sexual allure for me, perhaps I see him a little more clearly than you do.’
    ‘He’s not for me, either,’ says Tanya. ‘Too up himself. But I bet there aren’t many girls on the course who don’t fancy him . How about you, Soph?’
    I feel myself go red. Silly. After all, who