Page 72 of Save You

The warmth inside me gives way to icy cold.I stare at Ruby in shock.

“OK, I guess that answers that,” she says, smiling understandingly at me.

“You know what I feel about Oxford.”

“That sounds like you’re in a relationship with the university.”

I raise an eyebrow.“Look who’s talking.Don’t think I haven’t spotted the love hearts you’ve drawn on that email you’ve printed out,” I say, pointing to the pinboard over her desk.

Ruby looks sheepish.Then she smiles.“Yeah, OK.Got me.But you didn’t answer my question.”

I think a moment.“I’m happy that you’re happy.You can be pleased for both of us,” I say, as diplomatically as possible.

Ruby rolls her eyes.Before I can respond, she’s grabbed one of her pillows and whacked me with it.For a moment, I’m just blinking in confusion, but then I turn to Ruby.“Lydia always does that too.And now I can’t defend myself against her, in case I damage anything.But you…” Fast as lightning, I snatch another pillow and throw it at Ruby.“It’s completely different with you.”

She reacts quicker than I’d have thought possible.She grabs the pillow I threw at her and pummels me with it twice.When she tries to repeat the trick a third time, I catch her wrist and hold it tight.

Ruby’s cheeks are flushed, she’s breathing fast, and her hair is messed up.Everything within me is crying out to lean down and kiss her again.

At once, I let her go.I clear my throat and move away a little.

“Are you accepting the offer?”Ruby asks after a while.

I nod.“Yes.I don’t even need to ask, do I?”

I dare to glance at her once the heat that flooded my throat has ebbed away a little.Ruby is looking warmly at me, and while she’s clearly holding back too, the glint in her eyes shows me how happy she is.

“Of course I am.”She hesitates.“But I’m worried about money.I’ve looked into all the loans and scholarships, and I’m sure I’ll get a bursary, but I can’t afford it without a loan, and it’s such a lot of debt to take on.”It’s almost painful to see the joy gradually fading from her eyes to be replaced by fear.“And I don’t know if I’ll have time to get a job.”

“I’m sure you’ll work it out,” I say confidently.

“Well, I’m doing my best,” she says firmly, and at that moment, I have no doubt that Ruby can doanythingshe puts her mind to.

“Mum always made sure Beaufort’s supported various social projects every year.I bet there are grants in there somewhere.I can ask, if you like,” I suggest cautiously.I’m not sure if this is crossing a line.I hope not.

Ruby hesitates a moment, but to my relief, she’s looking thoughtful, rather than mortally offended by my idea.

“That’s kind,” she says in the end.“How are things at home?”

Her eyes went soft as I spoke about Mum, so I’m not surprised by her sudden change of subject.

I think for a bit.“Lydia’s doing well, and Dad…is my dad.I don’t see much of him and we’ve barely spoken since December.Lydia and I will never be able to forgive him for not telling us what happened to Mum.”

“I never get into fights, but I think I’d have hit him too.”

The idea almost makes me grin.Sadly, that impulse soon fades.“I hate the way he treats Lydia,” I say seriously.“Especially now, when she’s got so much to deal with all at once.”

“How do you mean?”she asks, furrowing her brow.

“He always makes her feel stupid, which seriously winds me up.He hasn’t really acknowledged that she got into Balliol.”

The corners of Ruby’s lips twitch disapprovingly.“Everything you tell me about him makes me so cross.No wonder you’re glad when he’s not at home.”

I normally hate this kind of conversation and usually change the subject or avoid answering, but it feels perfectly ordinary to be sitting here with Ruby, on her bed, talking about my family problems.

I feel like I could get used to this.

“What are you thinking?”Ruby asks out of the blue.