Congratulations, you passed, Bright says. - Follow me.
The first stage has been successfully completed...
Twenty minutes later, we sit in the Eden lobby and wait for our turn. The place is really chic, the interiors are like Lewis's office at The Owl. Families with children pass by us every now and then. Some are happy, others are gloomy and sad. Nerves start to choke me. And if it doesn't work? If we fail?
Lewis's warm hand on my shoulder and Mia's hand on my elbow bring me back to reality.
"It'll work out," Elliot whispers, and I give him a reassuring nod.
- Hey! Suddenly, Welch appears beside us. In all black, silent and very focused. This is the first time I see him.
Eric. I nod to him. Prothero gives my friend a cold look.
I found out something about those who are interviewing for admission this year. You saw Bright, a very good man, obsessed with rules and elegance. I think you got a couple of points from him with your rescue somersaults with children. I screwed up myself. Mr. Protheroe, well, how are you that bull! Gorgeous! Eric is getting back to his old self. Lewis smiles and his eyes soften.
- What's next? Christian asks.
Max De Bryn, head teacher. Also quite an adequate person, loves butterflies and medicine. It is said that once there was a court medical doctor in Oxford. Finding contact with him for your kids is like hacking into Hillary Clinton's email in 2016. As for the third interviewer... there could be problems here. Peter Jakes, rich daddy's rich son. His father was the director of Eden before Bright. A major who thinks that everyone owes him everything in life. Be careful with him, he likes to ask provocative questions, exhales Eric
- Jakes often visits the Owl, takes pictures of girls. If he recognizes me, he won't let Mia, Elliot, and Christian study here. Okay, let's play decent citizens of a free new England. Don't be afraid, I know how to charm people, Lewis chuckles.
Warmly and from the bottom of my heart I thank Eric and he leaves.
Mrs. Steele, Mr. Bright peers down the hallway. - Let's go.
I get up, and together with the children and Lewis we go into the office. We sit down on the sofa opposite Bright and his two assistants. De Bryn is a short, chubby man in his forties with a good-natured expression on his face, wearing glasses.
But Jakes is at least eight or nine years older than Elliot and Christian, a very handsome young man with regular features and bright blue eyes. All three look at us appraisingly and then Bright says:
So, Mrs. Still, why did you decide to send the children to our school?
Because you are the best in England, here in Eden is the concentration of the best minds in the country. Arts, sciences, sports - everything is taught at the highest level. Plus you raise patriots. I want my children to grow up as comprehensively developed people who love their homeland, I say sincerely.
Your marriage to Mr. Protheroe is, I understand, the first. Do you know what's in his past? Jakes asks, crossing his legs.
Mr. Jakes, have you not made mistakes in the past? Yes, there are many dark pages in my past, but is it really more important than what I am now? I am a father and a husband. When I met Miss Steele, I found happiness. I met a kindred spirit in her, Prothero smiles warmly.
- Clear. Are you Mrs. Steele? Jakes looks at me.
I take Lewis's hand and squeeze it.
I am happy that Mr. Protheroe is my husband, I say proudly.
But still, Mr. Prothero, why do you need such a young lady, and even with children? Peter insists. Reptile, he cannot build his own family, so he digs to the bottom of those who have a strong and happy unit of society.
She is my kindred spirit. I was struck by the combination of softness and strength in it. Lewis is unimpressed.
- And how do you raise children? De Bryn asks gently.
It s simple, if they commit misdeeds, we are strict with them, if they are good, we pamper and encourage them, I say.
Let's move on to the kids. What are your names, age and where do you live? Bright asks.
Mia Still, 8 years old, 123 Evergreen Street, Mia replies shortly in a military way.
Christian Still, 16, 123 Evergreen Street, Christian says.
Elliot Protheroe, 16, 123 Evergreen Street, Elliot finishes.
- If you join us, what will you do? Bright smiles.
"Studies hard," Mia says, looking into Reginald's eyes. - Help peers, do everything to make dad and mom proud of us.
- And if you have to go over the heads, cheat and substitute others for the sake of your goals? Will you go for it? Jakes doesn't give up.
Yes, we would rather leave these walls than dare to do so. And if you think we can do that, you don't know shit about us! Christian answers confidently.
Yes, we will achieve everything with honest work, no matter how long it takes, Elliot supports his brother.
Good answers, young people, Jakes says.
Do you help your parents around the house? Bright asks.
We have divided the responsibilities. I wash floors and dishes, Elliot does the kitchen, Christian goes shopping, Mia replies with a smile. She is such a sunshine. - Parents are often not at home, they are hard workers with us.
- And what do your parents do? Here we come to the tricky and most difficult question.
- Mom is an editor in a large publishing house. She often brings manuscripts of children's books home and we, an open-minded audience, help her decide whether to publish a particular book. And dad ... a former military man. Now he is on a well-deserved rest. And after his military service, he was the voice of London, says Mia.
Well, great answers. Wait for our decision. Mrs Steele, Mr Prothero. Bright stands up, and his colleagues do the same behind him. They shake hands with us and we leave.