I nodded towards the loader.
Harry grinned.
– Four huge bags?
– Yeah.
– Did you bring the whole wardrobe with you?
– Almost» I answered seriously, frowning at his mocking tone. – But I don't think that's any of your business at all.
Harry blushed a little.
– 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. – He smiled embarrassedly.
– It's okay, and I'm sorry» I said, feeling extremely awkward.
We walked in silence to his car, a big grey Jeep. Harry started to put my bags in the boot, and I paid the baggage handler and tipped him.
Then Harry and I got into the car.
– Don't forget to buckle up» the guy said as he started the engine.
I grinned and buckled my seatbelt, Harry did the same, and only then did we pull out of the car park and onto the road.
– How did you recognise me? – I asked.
– It was easy: your sister told my mother that you were a beautiful, thin, long-haired blonde» he replied.
«I'm not that thin!» – I thought grudgingly. The compliment left me completely indifferent: I was fed up with the admiration of others. It annoyed me.
– Are the students moving in already? – I asked, turning the conversation to another topic.
– I think so, but to be honest I don't know, as I'm rarely in Oxford.
– Why? I thought you lived there.
– Almost. We only live there in the summer, and for the school year we rent a flat and move to London» said the guy. – Can I ask you something?
– Please. – I was very amused by his tetchy English.
– Why Oxford?
This question, often asked of me by my parents, made me smile.
– Because Oxford is my dream» I admitted honestly, glancing at Harry.
He smiled, and I thought about the fact that he was pretty good-looking. But then I tapped myself on the forehead with an open palm.
– Oh, I forgot! – came out of my mouth in Polish.
– What?» Harry asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise: he obviously didn't know Polish.
– I remembered that I forgot something very important in Poland! – I mumbled in English.
I had forgotten what I should have taken in the first place – Maria’s list of rules.
– It happens to everyone» Harry smiled. – By the way, you don't have to buy a bicycle, you can ride Mary's.
– Mary? – I asked.
– Yes, that's my sister. She's seventeen. She's gone to stay with our uncle in Scotland, and her bike is all yours.
– That's great» I said, but I didn't feel any joy.