I'm Normally Perfect (re-upload)

Chapter Twenty-Two

After Robert made the rounds to check in with everyone (he reminded me of a chat show host, all smiles and big laughs), and then stopped by the kitchen for a drink, we settled in a corner. 'It's sort of a compliment, if you look at it from a certain angle.' He made a "cheers" gesture to a guy across the room.

'What is?' I looked around the room, trying to figure out if I recognised anyone. Nope.

'The way everyone reacted when we came down the stairs.'

I looked at him as if he'd gone mad, 'I think they were cheering because you "scored" or "pulled" or whatever it is you call it. Not because I'm any great catch.'

He took a sip of his beer, and said as though he were instructing a pupil, 'No, no, having one off with an unattractive girl is not worthy of whistling and hooting.'

'Excuse me?'

'It's just their way of saying they'd like to have a go as well.'

It wasn't that I doubted the sincerity of the remark, but more shocked that he'd said it to my face. Had he not met me? Why did guys think they could say absolutely anything at all to you? 'That is so unbelievably sexist!'

I tried to keep my voice down, as I didn't want to attract any more attention.

'Oh God, you're not one of those feminists, are you?'

I stammered, infuriated, 'Well...well...Yes, I am and I'm not going to apologise for it.' I considered throwing his beer in his face.

He looked at me incredulously, 'You believe all that rot about women being entitled to the same pay as men and pro-choice and being allowed to vote?' I almost began railing at him, but suddenly realised he was joking. When he saw my ire abating he chuckled, 'You've got to lighten up, Cate.'

'Oh, do shut up.'

The rest of the evening was only mildly unpleasant, though through no fault of Robert's, as he sat with me and deflected any people from talking to me, for which I was quite grateful. The music was loud and repetitive, the conversation dull enough to induce a coma and the alcohol flowed far too freely, but at least I was spared having to chat with strangers. I was relieved when he went for a second beer, then a third, and a fourth, as I'd have an excuse to ring for a cab home. I didn't want him to know where we lived; I liked having that one thing for myself. When it was nearly midnight and I was about to fall over from exhaustion, Robert showed me to a phone upstairs. I retrieved my bags from his car and he waited with me by the kerb for my cab.

He swayed a little and offered in a slow voice, 'I had a smasshing time tonight, Cafferine Perfect. A really, really smasshing time.'

I nodded, not wanting to encourage him, 'It was...interesting.'

'When are ya gettin' back?'

'From Essex? Not before next term.'

He said, 'Awww,' in a way that sounded both genuine and childlike as if I'd told him the circus wasn't coming to town. 'We should do sumfin when you get back. A film or sumfin.'

'Oh, hmmm.' I considered saying all right, and counting on him not remembering it later, but with my luck that'd be the one thing from the evening he'd recall with clarity.

A cab drew up and I gave the driver the address while Robert opened the door for me. He then leaned down and addressed the driver, 'You take care o' this one, ya hear?'

The driver chuckled, 'I will certainly do that, sir.'

Robert shut the door and we pulled away. I put my hand in the bag to feel Alex's sweater and smiled at the thought of her face when she saw it. If she didn't want it I'd wear it.