– All right, Mary. Stay! – I said cheerfully.
She shrieked with joy and hugged me.
– Thank you! Thank you! Oh, you're so cold! Are you cold? Let me make you some hot tea. – She rushed into the kitchen.
– No, that's okay! You'd better tell me where I can make a college uniform! – I hurriedly shouted to her.
– Of course I'll tell you! Our neighbour runs a sewing shop. Are you going to Oxford? – Mary came out of the kitchen and brought me a mug of steaming hot tea.
I took it confusedly.
– I shouldn't have, thank you» I mumbled, not sure what I was going to do with it. Certainly not to drink tea! I hadn't drunk or eaten anything human since I'd had ice cream in Karlovy Vary. I hated human food that day.
– Can we go there right now? – I asked, trying to avoid the damn tea.
– Now? But you just got here.
– I'm not tired at all. Shall we?
– All right, but change your clothes: it's quite cold outside.
– I'll be right back!
Putting the mug on the table, I ran to my bedroom and quickly changed into jeans and a warm tunic to look like people at this time. I grabbed my wallet and put it in my favourite black shoulder purse and walked out into the hallway.
– Wow, you look so pretty! – I heard Mary's voice behind me.
I felt embarrassed: my looks didn't impress me.
– Thank you, you too» I answered her.
– Guys must be chasing you around! – Mary giggled, fiddling with her boots.
«Maybe I should go with boots too? I don't think I know how people dress in autumn at all!» – I thought, but still, I put on my sneakers and put on my tunic and my blue jacket.
– You're wrong. And let's not talk about that, shall we? – I asked, embarrassed by Mary's words.
– Tell me, did Harry ever flirt with you? – It was as if she hadn't heard me.
It's a good thing I'm not blushing, or I'd be as red as a cancer.
– No, he didn't. I asked you to! – I said reproachfully. – I don't like these conversations!
– But why? I just…» She cut herself off, glancing at me.
We left the house in silence. I closed the door.
– Wow, the first time! It took me twenty minutes to open it today» she exclaimed. – You've got talent!
– You just have to push on the lock, that's all. Well, take me to your seamstress» I said, already cooled by my irritation.
Mary laughed merrily and, taking me by the arm (which I hadn't expected), led me into the workshop.