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‘So, what’s next then? Any more digs planned in the Castle Eden area?’ I ask.
‘Actually, I’ve just heard I’m going to be spending the summer in my caravan in Corbridge, not far from Hexham.’
‘Another project of yours?’
‘Not exactly. I’ve been asked to extend my expertise on Roman Britain to a development site. Seems there’s some disagreement between the contractors and the locals in terms of what constitutes a site of historical significance.’
‘So, they’re asked for the assistance of a third-rate grifter, have they?’ I tease him.
‘Oi! I’ll have you know I’m very good at grifting. Made a whole career out of it.’
‘Now that is true,’ Dalton quips.
‘It was lovely to meet you both. Best of luck in Corbridge,’ Leyna waves as we leave. ‘They seemed nice. I’m assuming Dalton is also a professor?’
‘There are a bunch of us who go for pints once in a week. You met Gerik the other day, he’s in archaeology and Dom, is in the chemistry department. And yes, Dalton is in history.’
‘A whole bunch of university grifters, huh?’
‘Something like that.’
As we walk, I surprise myself. That quasi-introduction in the Botanic Gardens had come as a shock when Gerik and Dom had appeared out of thin air and I hadn’t really had a chance to process any of it. But meeting Gerik and Dalton along the path tonight, I hadn’t realised how desperate I’d been to introduce Leyna to my friends, even Dalton, whom I was certain would let the rest of the group know. This felt like a proper milestone, running into some friends, Leyna on my arm, having a bit of a chat. In fact, I hadn’t introduced anyone I’d dated to any of the guys since... Well, I couldn’t remember.
Those guys were as close to a family as you could get. I never had a big family growing up. It was just me and mum down in Somerset and then my stepdad joined our little duo. But over the years I’d made a new sort of family—a work family, but it was better than that. We all do the same job but don’t actually work together. It really is the best of both worlds. We completely understand what each one of us is going through, but we never run into awkward situations because someone hasn’t done what they’d promised, or someone spoke out against someone else at a meeting, or there was a conflict of interest. It was damned difficult to have friends in your own department, but friends who knew exactly what it felt like to be an academic and who could be impartial when you asked them for advice were invaluable.
Leyna and I arrive atDecadent Delightsand take our seats at one of the tables that faces out towards the river. It’s dark outside but we can still see some lights along the walking bridge and the distant glow of the Castle high up above the trees that line the river.
‘Thanks for suggesting this, Jack. I’ve never been here before.’
‘That makes two of us.’
We order an espresso and a flat white to drink. I order the Belgian chocolate and raspberry torte while Leyna orders a strawberry tart.
‘I don’t think I’ve eaten so well in my entire life,’ Leyna jokes.
‘Get used to it, love. Because I can see a lot more of this in the future.’
We both look at each other. I can’t believe I’ve just said that. Opting to change the subject Leyna says, ‘I’ve always found those moments just before the first bite the most delectable.’
She takes a bite of the strawberry tart and briefly closes her eyes. ‘It’s good,’ she admits.
‘I love to watch you enjoy yourself.’
Leyna smirks. She already knows that. Sometimes I think she has me wrapped so tightly around her finger I don’t know which end is up.
‘So what was up with that other professor tonight? Charis? Is she always so rude? I’ve seen her around the department but have never really had any interactions with her before.’
‘I have no idea what her problem was. It’s why I try not to be too friendly with any of them.’
‘Any colleagues in the department, you mean?’
‘Yes. They have all turned out to be the same. Selfish. Egotistical. Self-centred. I could go on.’
‘I know what you mean. I have to deal with them every day too, remember. At least you’re on an even footing with them. They see you as an equal. I’m like a pebble stuck to the bottom of their shoe. They could kick me around all day long and not even realise it. Maybe Charis falls into theinappropriatecamp, a bit like Lorna, you know, the idea that the support staff shouldn’t fraternise with the academic staff.’
‘Leyna I’m—’
She cuts me off. ‘Don’t say it! You know I don’t care what others think and neither should you. In fact, I think you might be finally coming round to the dark side,’ she grins. Leyna sets down her hot drink and reaches out for my hand across the table. ‘I know that while you might see us as equals the rest of the academics certainly don’t. The younger academics simply think they know better because they’re younger and the senior professors simply think they know better because they’re older.’ She pauses a moment to take a sip of her coffee then says, ‘Tell me, Jack, as an older, more senior, professor, what’s your take on it?’
