– You and your sister look very much alike. How many years older is she than you? – The guy suddenly asked.
– Seven» I answered without thinking.
A rather pointless, banal question.
– I wouldn't say that: it's like you're the same age. And her hair is the same golden colour.
I grinned at his compliment on my hair.
– Sisters always look alike» I said.
– Yeah, I guess so.
We fell silent.
I decided to take advantage of the silence and call home as promised and ask my mum to send me Maria’s list.
Taking out my blue smartphone, I dialled my mum's number.
– Hi, I'm already in England. – I switched to Polish so Harry wouldn't understand my conversation with my mum.
– Hi, how was your flight? – Mum asked in a tired voice.
– It was great: there was an lady sitting next to me and she was snoring right in my ear» I replied with a smile. – Mum, I forgot something at home, could you send it to me by post?
– What is it?
– In my room, in one of my desk drawers, there's a piece of paper – it's the advice Maria wrote to make my long-suffering life at Oxford easier.
– Yes, I found it. It's funny, Maria has a real talent for satire.
– Send it to me today, will you? Ordinary post, registered mail. I'll text you the address.
– Okay. Where are you now?
– I'm on my way to Oxford. Hired a car.
«It's a good thing this mortal bloke doesn't speak Polish! I can't tell him I'm taking a taxi. «And I can't tell my mum I'm in a car with someone else!» – I was relieved
– OK. I'm working now, so I'll call you tonight.
– It's not necessary, but I'll call you when I'm free.
– I look forward to your call then , sweetheart.
– Bye, Mum.
I disconnected the call and noticed Harry was smiling.
– What's wrong? – I asked him.
– 'Polish is a bit strange and sounds funny to the English ear,' he replied. – But I think it's a very beautiful and original language.
– Thank you. But, you know, not many foreigners think so, – I said sincerely.
– Why?
– 'They think it has too many funny sounds, hisses and the like.
«Well, there, I've been breaking the most important rule for about half an hour now: don't socialise with people. But that's how you die of boredom!» – I thought mockingly.
We chatted all the way to Oxford, Harry telling me about his sister, about his family, about what Mary was like when he saw her. As for me, I didn't tell him anything about myself, but was careful to keep the conversation neutral.