His American Fling Read Free Page A

United Nations? We give the Yanks our troops and the PM’s undying affection; do we have to also entertain them?"
     
    Henry narrowed his grey eyes and smiled at his aggravated friends. "Oh come now, she’s all alone over here, just lost her position—because of you I might add—the  least we can do is buy her a drink." He tilted back on the old wood chair and drank his pint while balancing on two legs. “She seems a little old to be at University.  But then, she is an American--they do everything different.”
    Campbell sneered back at Henry and then began telling his friends about his case involving a zoonotic infectious disease from a soldier just back from Iraq. The doctors at the table were actually interested; it was something out of the norm and had nothing to do with the typical leukemia, diabetes, and influenza they treated on a daily basis. Fiona, Henry and Campbell argued over a recent article in Nature while Charles and Peter carried on a conversation about the last cricket game at Lords’.
    A few minutes later, Maggie walked over to the table with her backpack, her shoulders drooping. Henry grabbed a chair for her, putting it between his chair and Campbell’s, and then ordered her a Pimms with Ginger Ale which the new barmaid quickly retrieved.
    Henry handed the drink to Maggie. She looked at it and hunched her shoulders. "I’ve never had one of these. Well, bottoms up." She took a drink and smiled at Henry in thanks.
    Campbell remained quiet. He had nothing to say to the Yank. He found most Americans to be loud, insensitive, and moronic. However, he had to admit, in addition to being pretty, from what he had seen down her blouse; she was quite a piece of crumpet. But, Campbell wasn’t interested in her for anything, unless she was up for quick shag. However, it appeared that Henry genuinely wanted to get to know her, so Campbell decided to be low key and let Henry make his move.
    Henry raised a glass to Maggie. "So Maggie, you’re a law student. What Law School?"
    "UCLA at home, Downing while I’m here. As part of the exchange program my tuition is all paid for, but I was supposed to arrange my own lodgings and job for the summer. I wouldn’t have come so early, but the university insisted that the exchange students attend a few orientation seminars before school starts."
    Henry leaned forward and asked, "Didn’t they help you with employment?"
     
    "I was told that this waitress job would be available for me.” Maggie shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I need a job to pay for room and board until school starts. Once school starts, I’ll be living in the dorm and eating in the dining hall. I’ll be able to tap into my student loan at the end of August. Until then, I’m footing the bill." She knocked back half of her drink out of sheer desperation.
    Campbell watched her, realizing she was deeply worried. It was barely noticeable, but Campbell could see that her hand was shaking. He almost said something reassuring, but then decided not to get involved. Henry took up the mantle for him.
    "So, do you have enough money to stay at the bed and breakfast if you’re not able to work?"
    "I really don’t want to talk about it," she said.
    Campbell couldn’t resist, "But surely you brought enough money to see you through these two months?"
    She turned and looked at him like he was crazy. "Do you know how much law school costs? I pay close to $28,000 a semester plus my living expenses. Luckily, I have a scholarship that pays h alf of it. But, I’m living hand-to-mouth. I had enough between what I brought and what I thought I’d earn. That is, until I lost my job tonight. I don’t have....oh, let’s not talk about it." Maggie’s voice choked.
    "So, is the landlady going to let you stay at the bed and breakfast until you can cash in on your student loan?" Henry asked. He sat back on all four legs and scooted nearer to the table.
     
    "No, she’s kicked me out. She wanted next week’s rent, but