Never A Choice (The Choices Trilogy (Book 1)) Read Free Page B

gentleman’s voice speaks directly behind me.
    I turn with my coffee in hand to see Mr Wilson, my course leader smiling at me. His wrinkled face giving way to more wrinkles if that was possible. Mr Wilson is in his early sixties with wavy grey hair, dark grey eyes which are framed by square black rimmed glasses that perch on the indent in his nose indicating many many years of use. He wears a worn dark green tweed three piece suit, a bright shirt and even brighter bow tie. I understand he was a formidable business man in his youth having built and sold several companies. Now, however, he is firmly entrenched in academia.
    I couldn’t apply for the undergraduate programme through the normal channel; although my actual grades were good enough the dates and ages on the documents would conflict and might have been flagged up as suspicious. I am too young and they would insist I take the full time degree route. Instead, I had to fill in a departmental application form, have a general entrance exam, interview and a date of birth stating I was in fact twenty-five. Mr Wilson was, at the time, quick to put me at my ease at my interview earlier in the year and we have exchanged a number of emails since I accepted my place. He is the least intimidating academic I have come across and I am thankful he seems to have taken me under his wing.
    “Oh I’m sure. “ I return his smile. “Actually, I am really glad you are here, I was hoping I could confirm my timetable amendments and just make sure I’m getting the most from what’s on offer?”
    “Yes yes of course my dear. I said at the interview we would accommodate as best we can and you were quite explicit in your requirements. I promised at the time I would help and I wouldn’t have offered you a place if I felt you wouldn’t take every opportunity on offer or if we couldn’t fulfil our promise.” He gently squeezes my hand as if to reinforce his sentiment.
    “That’s very kind, later in the week maybe?”
    “You have my email my dear, anytime.” He leans past me and picks up a handful of biscuits that he tries to balance on the saucer holding his tea.
    He doesn’t seem to have any compulsion to mix and as I have a full cup in my hand I am a little reluctant to navigate the room. So we remain standing together at the edge of the gathering and he begins to munch noisily on his biscuits. The room has started to fill and like many basement classrooms it feels a little stuffy but the noise level has risen from awkward silence to gentle hum. A number of Mr Wilson’s colleagues have come over and it is clear he is well liked and respected. He kindly introduces me as some will be my Lecturers and I try to commit their faces and names to memory but it’s hopeless until they leave and Mr Wilson fills me in with some inappropriate piece of information that makes me laugh out loud and will definitely make it easier to remember them.
    Ms Stephens was a Karaoke queen, Mr Philips nearly drove away with his new born baby in his car seat on the roof of the car after several weeks of interrupted nights and I was lucky not to spit my coffee all over him when he revealed Mr Peters from finance nearly didn’t get married last year because there was a fight as to who would wear the wedding dress! I can feel my eyes start to water as he turns a wicked grin my way.
    I look over toward the still closed door as I feel a cool wave of fresh air flow over me and a rush of goosebumps prickle my skin. Before me, Mr Wilsons’ eyes widen as he fixes his gaze directly above my head. I can’t seem to move.
    “Daniel! How simply wonderful of you to join us, I didn’t expect you to accept my invitation to this little gathering but I’m so pleased you could make the time.” Mr Wilson gushes.
    Wow! I can’t help but smile, this man is too sweet and obviously a little in awe of whomever is standing behind me.
    “I didn’t and I don’t.” The deep voice growls his response.
    “That’s rude!”