Page 25 of Cruel Games

I side-stepped, but he blocked. Maxwell stood at his side, the pair of them taking up most of the hallway.

“What is this,” I snapped. “Billy Goats Gruff?”

“That would make you the troll,” said a voice from behind.

I rolled my eyes, not needing to know that Kendrick was taking up the rear. “What are you lot trying to do, bore me to death?”

“What are you doing for the Glasgow weekend?” asked Maxwell.

My lips curled into a smile. “Why don’t you three ask Elizabeth out?”

Orlando’s smile faltered. “Maybe we wanted to ask you first.”

I folded my arms across my chest. After my conversation with Gideon, I had a better understanding of why those three hung around such a mean-spirited girl. Their parents had put pressure on them to befriend Elizabeth. Not that it was an excuse. No amount of money or titles would influence me, and I couldn’t see why they played along with the wretched girl.

“Uh-huh?” I faked a yawn. “I don’t suppose Mrs. Campbell’s decision to ban Elizabeth from the upcoming weekend has anything to do with your newfound friendliness.”

Maxwell grinned. It was the kind of smile a leopard gave its prey before it pounced. “Of course not.”

“What do you say.” Orlando winked. “Will you go to Glasgow with us in a limousine fully stocked with champagne, caviar, and chocolates?”

I wrinkled my nose. “No.”

“Are you dating Adewale, now?” asked Kendrick from behind.

The other boys laughed.

“You want to know why I’m turning you down?” I said, ignoring Kendrick. The boys stopped chuckling to listen. “I’m used to bigger, better, and bolder. Neither of you lives up to my standards.”

Their faces fell, and triumph surged through my insides. That would teach them to act like a bunch of wankers. I slid through the gap between Orlando and Maxwell’s bodies and hurried down the hallway before the shock of my rejection wore off.

Chapter 10

Anticipation thrummed in my chest on Saturday. It spread down to my stomach, awakening the butterflies that usually lay dormant.

That morning, Gideon and I kept exchanging excited glances over our scrambled eggs on toast. We had already booked the ten AM bus that would arrive in Glasgow around noon.

After a day of browsing around the city, we would get changed at the Clyde Hotel, which rented rooms by the hour, go to Wank, and leave our bags in the cloakroom.

Mr. Burgh stood from his seat at the head table and announced, “Those of you who have accumulated enough merits to earn a trip to Glasgow should approach Mrs. Campbell to confirm transportation. Sixth-formers whose parents or guardians have signed permission slips for overnight absences must return before dinner on Sunday unless they wish to be banned from future weekends.”

I pressed my lips together, hoping that Mother had authorized me to come and go as I pleased.

Over at the knights’ table, Elizabeth hunched over with her fists clenched. Kendrick tried to whisper something to her, but she shoved him away. It served her right.

“Have you finished?” Gideon set down his half-eaten toast.

I gave him an eager nod. As we rose, I stole another glance at Elizabeth. Not to gloat, but it was strange to see her looking so defeated. Maxwell caught my eye and winked. I snatched my gaze away and followed Gideon out of the room.

*

Later that afternoon, Mr. McGarr parked the minibus at a stop in Glasgow town center, which wasn’t anything like I had expected. It was a combination of old buildings that reminded me of central London and a grid system that wouldn’t have looked out of place in America.

The late September sun peeped out from behind the clouds, and a cool breeze meandered through the buildings.

A group of us walked down Buchanan Street, a road closed off to traffic that boasted all the high street stores, but Gideon and I soon lost them in the crowds.

“This is a bit like Harry Potter,” I said as we passed the most gorgeous tea shop with cakes in the window.