Good, then he was doing far better even then he thought, certainly better than some might have led him to believe. Second class indeed. He knew he was. If even that. But he worked hard to learn how to talk like the upper crust, and to do so without it sounding all phony or la-di-da. That would just be counter productive to what he’d wanted. Truth was, if she heard how he really talked, what he worked so hard to hide, she’d think he was some underclass, under educated flunky. Which, well, he was… but not like that was very impressive with the ladies.
“You would have managed. I mean, I’m sure you’re a very resourceful girl. Besides,’ he added with a flirtatious yet completely playful, wink. “I’m sure some other lucky man would have jumped at the chance to help.”
This was more attention then she’d shown him in the entire time they’d been in the same school together, in many of the same classes. The imp secretly soaked it up and then, and then her attention was once more diverted. Blasted phone. He’d have to do something about that.
All in good time.
For now, he just kept quiet and kept to the shadows and listened. This was what he was best at. He knew to whom it was she spoke. One of her many cousins. He knew also that she’d be leaving for the holiday. He’d been intent on making sure they met before then.
The call ended, her attention returned to Knock, who smiled, for her benefit of course, but also for the fact that she still thought of him even with the distraction. To hell with the fact that she butchered his name. He knew it was one of he traits. It was one of her more endearing traits. Not that she had any that were anything less.
“This is home for me,” he answered, not sadly, but matter-of-factly. Still, the point would likely be considered with a bit of compassion. Everyone felt bad for an orphan after all. Even when the orphan was fully grown. “I’ll stay here, maybe lounge about one of the indoor pools. And you? Going home? Sorry,” always so polite. “Couldn’t help overhearing. Where is home?”