Posner's hands are a bit full when they reach the room, what with still lugging around the box of dusty books. "Would you?" he asks, handing Dakin the key.

It feels odd, putting on the uniform he thought he'd taken off for the last time. Odd to know that this is it. This is the end of Hector's boys. The end of Cutlers. The last time they'll all be together as schoolmates ( Read more... )

When he looks back on the moment, Posner realizes he should have known ( Read more... )

Although he did spend an extra day (or two) in Milliways, Posner eventually makes his way home, still beaming, hoping he doesn't smell like champagne. His parents are beyond proud. Even his uncle claps him on the shoulder and says how proud he is ( Read more... )

Posner is still up in his room, combing his hair, getting ready for the day, when he hears his father's voice come up the stairs ( Read more... )

The attitude when they climb back into the van is much more subdued. Posner settles into the back seat. He wants to ask how the others think they did. He wants to know if they feel as odd about the whole experience as he does.

He wants to know that they will all still be together come autumn.

It's his best suit, and Posner is very aware that it is better than a lot of his classmates'. His father was a furrier rather than a tailor, but the career still had certain perks ( Read more... )

It's always odd to be at school and out of uniform, even more so to be out of uniform and yet still wearing a jacket and tie. Posner carries an overnight bag with him as they file out the front doors. He supposes he'll get a real idea of what student life is meant to be like this time, dorms and meals and all ( Read more... )

The day has been so long in coming that Posner can't quite believe it's actually here. He wakes up much earlier than he needs, and he can't help sitting down with his books, going over a few things just one last time. When he can't put it off any longer, he heads downstairs, deciding to forgo breakfast all together. Just the thought of eating makes ( Read more... )

When they finally pull into the station at Oxford, David leads the way off the train and out of the station. It's about a mile to Magdalen from there, so they find the bus that will take them to the college, and a few minutes later, they're stepping off between Magdalen Tower and the Botanic Gardens ( Read more... )