Read Online House of Windows by Alexia Casale - Free Book Online

with no one to tell you what to do or when.’
    ‘I just wasn’t expecting it to be so …’ Susie spread her hands wide. ‘There’s just so much stuff going on all the time. People always inviting you somewhere.’
    Nick bent to tie his shoelace. It’s OK for some.
    ‘That’s absolutely as it should be,’ Dr Davis was enthusing to Susie with a look of quite horrifying avuncular fondness given that they’d only met him ten minutes ago, ‘but of course you need to leave time for your academic studies too.’
    ‘I think it was just ’cos I got a bit behind in Freshers’ Week. I meant to read all the course notes and stuff then. But I’ll get on top of it,’ she said, brushing her skirt down over her knees so the seams fell straight. ‘So, what’s next?’ She leaned forwards, lip caught between her teeth and hands curled intofists in her lap as she watched Dr Davis work through the model answer.
    ‘We’re not meant to be taking our own notes,’ Frank hissed as Nick bent over his knees to scribble in the margins of his assignment.
    Nick held the page up to show him. ‘That’s five pencil strokes in total, OK? I’m not writing an essay.’
    By the end of the supervision, Frank was looking positively thunderous, Susie strained and unhappy. Both scuttled off in different directions the minute they stepped out into the corridor.
    So much for suggesting coffee instead of the pub.
    ‘Oh, sorry, Nick,’ said Dr Davis, bumping his shoulder as he stepped out into the corridor behind him. ‘Didn’t mean to mow you down. Actually, do you have a minute to walk with me? Now, don’t take this as a criticism,’ he said, as they started down the stairs, ‘just a piece of friendly advice, but, while Cambridge is obviously all about being the best and brightest, sometimes it can be rather … counterproductive to get too caught up in competitiveness. I’m not saying you shouldn’t feel competitive inside, because that’s partly what pushes us to do our best, but maybe it’d be better to keep it under wraps a bit more in supervisions. Some people find it a bit, well, intimidating.’
    ‘I don’t see why,’ Nick replied, trying to keep the temper from his voice.
    Dr Davis sighed. ‘You have to remember, Nick, that while everyone here really is superbly intelligent, some people are …Well, different people have different strengths. There might be a course that’s a bit tougher for you and then maybe you won’t want—’
    ‘If I don’t know how I measure up, how do I know how much harder I need to work?’
    ‘It doesn’t always have to be about other people, Nick. If you just do your best—’
    ‘Well, obviously . But it’s always possible to do better. At least if I’m at the top of the pack that’s a good place to start from.’
    Dr Davis rubbed at his eyes. ‘I don’t want to be discouraging, Nick, but no one’s the best all the time.’
    Nick shrugged. ‘But that’s exactly when I need to know, so I can just keep working until I get there. Or as close as I’m capable of getting.’
    Dr Davis shook his head. ‘Well, I can’t knock your work ethic. Just try to enjoy it too, OK? It’s about learning, not just marks.’
    Nick frowned. ‘Yeah, but it can be about both. How do you know you’ve learnt anything otherwise?’
    ‘Let’s revisit that question at the end of term,’ said Dr Davis. ‘See you next time.’
    Nick wandered away, kicking irritably at a loose stone. He stood for a while in Front Court, looking about for inspiration. He peered into the buttery, then the dining hall, but didn’t see anyone he recognised. There were a few faces that seemed familiar, but he couldn’t think of anything to start a conversation.
    Just like school, only with more interesting work.
    He set off home before he could dwell on it. No point walking endlessly around College, hoping for someone to catch his eye and make an overture of friendship.
    As he walked up Senate House Passage, he tried