The Future King: Logres Read Free Page B

immediately and dropped the papers he had been
organising onto his desk. ‘Ah, of course! I’d almost forgotten. It’s quite
simple—it’s called 1750–2050,
An Anthology . But if you bring in twenty-five new-pounds I can order it for
you through the school. You’d be paying sixty, otherwise.’
    ‘Can I bring it in next lesson?’
    ‘Of course,’ he beamed. His sharp grey eyes watched her with interest,
but then darted to the two boys that had been sitting in front of her as they
followed Morgan on her way out. ‘Mr Humphreys!’ he called, staying the boy who
had gazed at her, the one with the chocolate-brown eyes. ‘One moment please,
I’d like a word.’ Mr Caledonensis turned back to Gwenhwyfar. ‘Do you know where
you’re going next?’
    ‘I think so,’ she responded, self-consciously edging
away.
    ‘Marvellous. I’ll see you next lesson, then. Don’t be late.’
    Gwenhwyfar nodded, offering a small smile to Mr Humphreys on her way
out. Her heart sank at his blank response. Suddenly she was fending for herself
out in the corridor. English. Left. Gwenhwyfar retraced the steps of Emily’s
guided tour, trying not to dwell too much on her latest embarrassment. She was
sure she would have to endure many more.

Arthur Humphreys

    ‘ You must be Gwenhwyfar .’
    She was hovering by the open door, eyeing the rows of desks in an
effort to decide where she should sit. ‘Gwen.’
    Her English teacher offered a kind, full smile. She was of average
height, but tall to Gwenhwyfar, in her mid-forties and had a strong Roman nose.
‘Gwen. You can sit at the back with Hayley. But first let’s get you an exercise
book.’
    Gwenhwyfar followed her to the corner of the classroom and waited awkwardly
as the teacher raided the supply cupboard.
    ‘I’m Ms Appelbauer, by the way.’
    ‘Ms Appelbauer?’ Gwenhwyfar took the exercise book from her.
    ‘Appelbauer,’ she repeated, her hazel eyes lit with a quick spark.
‘It usually takes students a while to get it right. Do let me know if you need
anything. I know it can be hard, starting at a new school so late. Where are
you from?’
    ‘Swansea.’
    ‘Oh? My grandmother was from Swansea, on my father’s side. I hear
it’s lovely.’
    ‘It is.’ She smiled politely. Ms Appelbauer gestured to the back of
the class.
    ‘Like I said, let me know if you need anything. Hayley’s right there,
last row. We’re working on Chaucer today.’
    Nodding, Gwenhwyfar found her seat. Ms Appelbauer started the lesson,
and with everyone working in silence, soon she was struggling to catch up.
    The moment the bell sounded Gwenhwyfar followed the masses into the
cafeteria, where from the middle of the busy hall she scoured the crowd for
Emily. She spotted Viola first, sitting with Tom and Gavin by the fire escape,
and as Tom pulled Viola into his lap to give her a prolonged kiss she realised
the connection between the two. She felt they suited one another.
    ‘Gwen! Over here!’
    She turned to find Emily, Hattie and Charlotte all huddled around the
corner of a table. They waved, beckoning her forwards like a dog. ‘Come sit!’
    She did as she was told. ‘How’s it going?’
    ‘Good!’ Emily said brightly. ‘How was History? Did you meet anyone
nice?’
    ‘It was all right,’ Gwenhwyfar shrugged, unzipping her bag to forage
for something to eat. ‘I didn’t really meet anyone.’ Their puzzled silence
urged her on. ‘Met this completely weird girl though,’ she blurted. ‘Morgan. I
had to share her book in class, which was stupid. She kept it to herself the
whole time and practically hissed at me when I asked if I could see it.’
    All three faces lit up. ‘Really?’
    ‘Really,’ Gwenhwyfar confirmed.
    ‘Morgan’s just weird though, isn’t she? She never says hello to us. She’s so up herself.’ Emily was the first
one to spot her. Gwenhwyfar followed her line of sight, and found her sitting amicably
with another girl at the other end of the cafeteria.