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doesn’t have crushes on actors? ‘I did used to have a crush on him in some of his movies,’ I say. ‘When he was a teen actor. But he just seems so arrogant now. And when I met him in person he was really rude. Whenever you see newspaper pictures of him, he’s always glaring at the camera. No – I don’t fancy him. Snooty, arrogant men aren’t for me.’
    ‘He gives one million a year to charity,’ says Tanya. ‘Maybe he’s not as bad as he seems.’
    ‘Maybe you’re right,’ I say, taking a sip of wine. ‘He’s sent us all welcome presents. They’re in our rooms. Have you seen yet?’
    ‘No,’ says Tanya. ‘I haven’t seen my room yet. Look – more new students.’ She points to three people coming into the bar – the two students we saw arriving earlier, and Ryan.
    Up close, the icy blonde girl has very pointy features, and although she’s pretty, her expression isn’t friendly. She’s very tall, and glides to the bar besides the well-built boy and Ryan.
    ‘It’s nice to meet you all,’ says Tanya, smiling her brilliant smile. ‘Soph here says we’ve all got welcome gifts from Marc Blackwell. Isn’t that amazing?’
    The icy blonde girl gives a curt nod. ‘He wrote us cards, too. Mine said he was looking forward to working with me.’
    Ryan leans towards the girl. ‘Cecile, that one over there thinks her card said what a talented actress she was, would you believe.’
    Cecile gives a screech of laughter. ‘You’re kidding?’ She throws her hair from one shoulder to the other. ‘Why would he say that to you? He doesn’t even know who you are.’
    ‘But he saw our audition,’ I hear myself say.
    ‘No, no, sweetheart,’ Cecile says. ‘ He was only there as head of the college. Denise was the one who picked us. I have a brother who works with Denise Crompton’s husband and he gave me the inside scoop. So none of us are all that special to darling Marc. Although I’m hoping one of us will be special to him by the end of the course.’ She winks at Ryan.
    ‘It’s still a nice gesture, though,’ I say, thinking back to the card and wondering if I misread the handwriting.
    Cecile shook her head. ‘He probably got his secretary to do it. Although I’m hoping for a rather more personal card by the end of term.’
    ‘Marc Blackwell saw Soph’s audition,’ says Tanya, waving her pint so she spills it. ‘And if his card said Soph here is a great actor, I’m sure he meant it.’
    Cecile looks me up and down. ‘Why would he?’ she says, without a hint of teasing in her voice. ‘I’ve never seen or heard of you before, and I know anyone who’s any good.’
    ‘What do you mean by that?’ says Tanya.
    ‘Children, children.’ Tom wheels between the two girls. ‘We should be celebrating our fabulousness. We’ve all been accepted at this amazing college. Which means we’re all terrific people. So. Let’s have a drink to terrific people.’
    He raises his glass.
    ‘To terrific people,’ Tanya and I say.
    ‘And are we all excited about meeting the man himself tomorrow?’ Tom asks.
    ‘Tomorrow?’ says Tanya.
    ‘Why, yes indeed,’ says Tom. ‘He’ll be hosting our introductory seminar tomorrow.’
    ‘Will he?’ Tanya says. ‘What time?’
    ‘It was in our introductory paperwork,’ says Tom. ‘Nine o’clock in King’s lecture theatre.’
    I remember the piles of paper the college sent me when I accepted my place. I didn’t get to read all of them. I had so much to do before I left – making sure Dad and Genoveva had enough food in, and Samuel had nappies and giving the house a last thorough clean to last them until I could come back.
    ‘Exciting, isn’t it?’ says Tom. ‘First thing tomorrow, we’ll be meeting the infamous Marc Blackwell.’

Chapter 11
    When I wake up the next morning, I think maybe I dreamt Ivy College and Marc’s card and flowers. But here I am, and there the flowers are – beautiful roses, on a highly polished table near the window