Black Chalk

‘Oh, I don’t know. So many things. Ridding yourself of Emilia, getting Dee in the sack, making it to the final three. But perhaps most of all, your points victory just then over Chad. I could hear it all from the other side there. Your willpower truly amazes me, Jolyon, I could feel the crackle and buzz, all of that cold stony strength. Of course, it now makes me realise what a tough nut to crack you are. Which means that we’re going to have to move swiftly onto phase three.’ Mark leered, making Jolyon feel sick. ‘So what about that drink then?’

‘No thank you, Mark,’ said Jolyon.

Mark sat back. He said nothing for some time and then he laughed. ‘Oh, this is funny,’ he said. ‘Look, we’re into another of those stand-offs like the one you just won against Chad.’ He tapped a finger against his lips. ‘Or a sit-off, actually, that’s what we should call it.’ Mark acted thoughtful. ‘So what are the rules of a sit-off, Jolyon? Is talking allowed? You know what, how about some role reversal? My turn to make up the rules as I go along. Yes, talking is definitely allowed,’ he said, and then he boomed out, with mock authority, ‘Like mighty Jolyon, I decree it so.’

‘Just go away, Mark.’

‘Oh no, going away is automatic loss of game. And loss of deposit as well.’ Mark tapped his lips again. ‘So what shall we talk about? Emilia? Have you seen poor old Em hobbling about on her crutches? I think that would crush me, seeing Emilia’s leg in a cast and knowing it was all my fault. I paid her a little visit to find out what happened. Oh, I played it ultra sympathetic. At first she said an insect flew into her eye and she should have just stopped pedalling . . . And then poor little Em started to cry. You could tell she just wanted someone to talk to at last. And that’s when she told me that actually it wasn’t an insect that caused her accident. No, it was you, Jolyon, you made her cry. But don’t worry, Emilia’s so sweet she wouldn’t even judge you too harshly. She simply told me the facts, how she thought you would’ve protected her, and wouldn’t allow anything like her miners’ strike consequence. It was disappointment in her voice, she really is the forgiving type. I think she might even still feel a great deal of affection for you, Jolyon. Only now you’ve moved on to Dee, haven’t you? And how’s that going to make poor Em feel? Not even a fortnight since you almost killed her by breaking her heart, you’ve decided to finish the job. Already got the next girl in the sack. Although I must say, you’ve been keeping it very quiet, this thing with Dee. Even I didn’t notice, and I’m your best friend.

‘You know, I’m probably going to bump into Emilia tomorrow. I wonder what we should talk about? But enough about that. Where was I? Oh, phase three. Actually it was going to visit Em that gave me the idea. As you know, they let her swap rooms after the accident so that she’s on the ground floor. And soon after seeing Em in her room, well, that’s when I suggested to your neighbour that he might like to swap with me. I mean, I got so lucky in the room ballot with my palatial place on Hallowgood Court. And those rooms at the top of staircase six are a little poky. I told him I liked the view better from your floor. He jumped at the chance. So that’s my news, Jolyon. Best friends and now neighbours as well.’ Mark raised his glass to offer a toast. ‘Cheers, Jolyon, you know I think we’re going to have a lot of fun,’ he said with a wink.

LIV(vi) Chad didn’t go home. Jolyon had told him to go home, so he didn’t. Instead, when he left the Churchill, he turned toward Pitt.

He wanted another drink but the bar in college didn’t open till six. And so, glancing frequently behind as he walked, he headed for staircase six. He judged that if he ran up the stairs and was quick about it, even if Jolyon had already left, he would still have time.

The door to Jolyon’s room was unlocked. Chad found a bottle of gin and left quickly. As he passed the fridge at the top of the stairs, he took from it a bottle of water. Down on back quad he hid behind a shrub, emptied the water and poured in the liquor. And then he went to sit in the gardens.

When Chad had drunk perhaps a half-bottle of gin, he saw Emilia on her crutches heaving herself along the gravel path. She paused when she saw Chad and waved at him, so he smiled and beckoned her over.

Chad got to his feet, took Emilia’s crutches for her and held her hands to help her sit. She was wearing a slip of a top, her blonde hair kissing the tops of her shoulders.

Chad sighed. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t seen you since the accident,’ he said. ‘We came to the hospital. And then I thought you wanted nothing to do with us . . .’

Emilia nodded uneasily and then with more vigour. ‘I needed some time,’ she said, ‘But now I’m good, really good. And you, Chad?’

Chad’s skin was cool, the gin had numbed his nose. But deeper down, his rage lingered on. ‘I’m just on top of the frickin world, Emilia.’