The drive to Oxford had been long and uneventful. It was a Sunday afternoon, and in true English fashion, the weather was grey. Summer had barely passed, yet Italy already felt like a dream compared to the damp cold they now found themselves in.
Lucia had managed to read some of her book on the recent political history of Korea, but Michelle kept dragging both her and Samuel into the conversation. Michelle tried probing into Lucia's thoughts on the university, and while Lucia didn't mind complaining about being sent there against her will, she shared none of her deeper worries.
Michelle must have picked up on it, though, and—ever eager to talk—she launched into stories about her university days, her degree, the master's she completed later, and all the ups and downs that came with it.
Lucia wasn't sure if it was supposed to be reassuring. Though she appreciated hearing an imperfect story, they were all aware that the expectations tied to her university attendance went beyond the norm.
As they approached the city, a quietness fell over them. Lucia had never been here until today, and she gazed in awe at the Gothic and Baroque buildings that dotted the landscape. Though she had seen pictures and read about its history, nothing could prepare her for how truly beautiful the city was.
They stopped outside a building no less impressive than its neighbours. Lucia got out of the car, almost in a trance. The rain felt cool against her skin as she stood before the stone entrance, where a large wooden door stood open in welcome for the new students.
She stepped forward, not wanting to show any fear, and introduced herself to the lodge porters, who would be seeing a lot of her over the next few years. They gave her a room assignment and a key before sending her on her way, and she took her first step into the college's first quad.
The courtyard was square, like many of the others in the city, with a path running straight through the centre, creating a crossroad. Numbered doors dotted the perimeter, but none matched the one she had been assigned.
The path through the first quad led them into the building, and as they stepped into a short sheltered corridor, shaking the water from their hair, they turned to see the college hall stretching out beside them.
Lucia slipped inside, her eyes tracing the three rows of long wooden tables that filled the room, stopping at the head table on its elevated platform. Behind it, a grand portrait of Elizabeth I seemed to watch over the hall, lit by the light streaming in through the stained-glass windows and the chandelier suspended from the vaulted ceiling.
Michelle let out an exclamation of wonder, snapping a photo even as the room's sole occupant glanced up in irritation before returning to whatever he was working on.
They moved back out into the corridor and continued into the second quad. This time a path skirted a large, perfectly mowed square of grass in the centre.
Their eyes roamed the quad, noting the labelled entrances around it. Vines crept up the right wall, causing Michelle to exclaim in delight again.
"Oh Wisteria, it must look lovely in the spring"
Lucia laughed. Only Michelle could admire a plant in this weather.
However, Michelle's comment did catch her attention. To their right, she spotted a staircase labelled with the Roman numerals they were searching for, almost concealed beneath the wisteria. They hurried toward the doorway, squeezing into the entrance as they searched for her room. Fortunately, it was on the ground floor, just to their left. The door was propped open by a large potted monstera.
The room Lucia walked into was spacious, with a large living area. It was perfectly symmetrical, with two desks, tables, and a sofa decorating the space. In both corners, doors led to private rooms. Hearing the noise of their entrance, a blonde-haired girl came running out of the far-right room. Her hair was wet, and her jacket lay drying over the nearest desk chair. Luci found herself mentally bracing for the inevitable. Roommates were a necessary evil, but she couldn't help but wonder what this one would be like. Was she going to be bubbly and exhausting? Reserved and awkward? Luci almost hoped for the latter—it would at least keep her from being bombarded with endless small talk.
"Hi! I'm Rosie." She waved, a smile on her face as she held out her hand and Lucia took it. As Rosie's cheerful voice filled the space, she made a quick judgment. At least she didn't seem insufferable, though that could change. But the cello in the corner was a relief. Music was something she could respect. Her upbringing had taught her to be wary of people, and she wasn't going to let her guard down just yet.
"I'm Luci. This is Michelle and Samuel." She pointed at the beaming woman behind her and her driver who had lugged in one of her cases.
"Your parents?" Rosie greeted them happily.
"Oh no." She didn't feel the need to explain as Michelle introduced herself. Luci went further into the room, finding her private bedroom bare but spacious enough to provide the privacy she would need, she wasn't sure she could just leave some of her work lying around the common room.
"Can I help you bring anything else in?" Rosie looked genuinely excited and Luci couldn't help but wish she held the same enthusiasm. But she would do her best to put it on. If she was going to have a roommate for a year it would be worth her time making her into a friend.
"That would be great!." Luci put on her most genuine smile as she headed again for the door.
Between her, Michelle, Samuel and Rosie, they brought the rest of her things into the flat with ease. The conversation was boring but expected, where are you from, what are you studying, are you excited. Rosie seemed excited for the next three years and Lucia was grateful her flatmate was an extrovert and would hopefully put in most of the effort of keeping them socialised.
Lucia said goodbye quickly, she saw Michelle off at the door to the college, only slightly embarrassed that Michelle was crying as she left.
"Try to enjoy at least. You never know, you might even make friends." Michelle's comment was genuine but it didn't help Lucia's general irritation as she snapped back.
"I don't need friends Michelle. Any friendship I have will be built on lies." Michelle's face fell slightly as she opened the car door, but the smile still on her face was genuine and her look held too much feeling as Luci sighed, kissing her on the cheek before she closed the car door behind her, waving as they drove off.
Luci sighed as Michelle's car disappeared down the drive. Alone again, and this time in a place teeming with people she didn't know and likely didn't care to know. It wasn't loneliness that bothered her—it was the potential intrusion into her life that made her stomach tighten. She'd have to tread carefully here, just like always, because she might hate it, but her performance here would matter.
Luci rolled her shoulders, before heading back to her room, wondering how long it would take her to unpack and whether she would have enough time this evening to work on anything her father had given her, or at least hunt down a piano. She had brought a keyboard with her, but she was hopeful the college would have a real piano lying around somewhere. She'd learnt as consistently as she could for most of the years spent with her father, but more recently it had fallen to the wayside and she was determined not to let it drop.
As she entered the room she noticed another person sitting on their sofa. Luci sized him up quietly. The typical self-absorbed student, probably thought the world revolved around him. His attention on his phone wasn't promising, either. But the headline on his screen caught her off guard—one of the cold cases she had worked on. She felt a flicker of interest beneath the layers of indifference. Maybe there was more to him after all.
It was a news article, the title reading "Peach and Pear fruit store owner missing" accompanied by a picture of a quaint little store with baskets of flowers hung out above pyramid stacks of fresh fruit. Lucia recognised the photo, and the title, it was a case from around 5 years ago, it had been unsolved until she'd figured it out earlier this week. Not one resulting from her father's influence.
"So how's your room, Marko?" Rosie's voice came from her room, accompanied by a couple of banging noises as she unpacked. Marko, she assumed, stood from the sofa, and pocketed his phone before strolling over to Rosie's desk.
"Okay, bigger than your bedroom, smaller than your living space, but there's more of us sharing the bathrooms." Lucia watched as his fingers casually brushed the papers on Rosie's desk, a clear sign of familiarity. His mind seemed focused elsewhere.
"That doesn't sound too bad. Oh, you should meet my flatmate I think you'll like her."
At that, Lucia watched his eyes drift over to her desk on the other side of the room. His feet soon followed. She smiled as she watched him fail to notice her stood at the door.
"You say that about everyone Rosie. Her things don't exactly scream interesting," He wandered over to her things, "Politician's daughter, privately educated and here on daddy's money, it's like half the other students at this uni. Oh no is she special or unique because she can play the piano and draw..." His fingers reached her sketchbook, and as he flipped open the first page and was met with a very accurate rendering of a gruesomely severed leg he froze mid-sentence and probably saved himself from saying anything more embarrassing. Lucia chuckled from the doorway, and his eyes snapped up to meet hers. Rosie emerged from her room, looking ready to argue with Marko, but Lucia spoke first.
"Wrong on most counts, my father's a business owner, I was homeschooled and self-taught for the most part, and I sold something before coming here that has nicely funded my uni experience." She stepped towards him, "and this," she closed her sketchbook, "is not yours." She smiled and she knew just a hint of that fear-inducing glance she had got from her father shone through. He took a step back towards Rosie who winced and she could almost see the thoughts going through his head.
"I guess you heard all of that."
Lucia didn't break her glare as Rosie spoke, Marko was silent, and then he turned and walked out of the room without a word.
"You two know each other?" Luci settled herself into the sofa discarding her packing as she thought over the interaction just now and the case he'd been looking over.
"Our fathers have been friends for years, it was luck, well maybe, that we both ended up here. He's basically my brother." Rosie looked slightly ashamed, "and yes, he's always that difficult when you first meet him."
"Well, he certainly has a high opinion of himself and a low opinion of everyone else. Tell me he's not here for Computer Science?" Lucia laughed as Rosie smiled
"No he's a Chemist, and I'm here as a Medic so I'll outlast you all."
They continued to talk as they unpacked, Luci's mind was still focused on the interaction. It could have gone worse. Luci wasn't thrilled about making enemies on her first day, but she wasn't the type to let things slide. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that he'd already formed an opinion of her, and it was anything but positive.
She wasn't exactly one to apologize, but she knew how crucial it was to avoid making unnecessary enemies. If she could soften the blow of their first encounter, maybe she could salvage this. She hated the thought of someone thinking less of her without knowing who she really was.
"Hey, can I have his number?"
"What?" Rosie looked up from her plant placement, Luci had given her free rein to place them wherever she wanted to and Rosie had needed no further encouragement. Luci had gained a small succulent on her desk, and the room was starting to look more lively, they had a music corner for Rosie's Cello and Luci's keyboard, and both their desks were set up—Luci's was almost bare, while Rosie's was cluttered with various pieces of stationery. Lucia had brought a blanket that lay decoratively across the sofa, and Rosie had strung a full ring of fairy lights around the room.
"I just think I came across a bit blunt I'd like to apologise. Don't want my roommate's brother figure to hate me on day one, especially if we'll be seeing him more."
Rosie smiled, and passed over her phone, "Honestly though, you don't have to make an effort with him, he can be difficult if he's decided you're not worth talking to." Rosie looked over at the digital clock Luci had on her desk and started. "Oh we should get ready for dinner, don't want to miss our first event."
Luci nodded, her mind elsewhere but she got up and headed for her room and the odd gown she had to wear this evening.
But first, she sent off a message:
'It was the butcher down the road btw - L'
She immediately muted the recipient, smiling to herself as she got dressed, fixed her makeup, and waited for Rosie in their shared living space.
—
Over the next few hours, Lucia did everything in her power to avoid Marko. The grandeur of the dinner felt suffocating, a reminder of her father's world, where appearances were everything. But here, it seemed amplified by the youth and ambition in the room.
They had been seated alphabetically, and Lucia found herself across from Rosie. She was relieved to see Marko placed on the opposite side of the hall. The meal began with a Latin prayer, reminding Lucia that she should brush up on the language. The wine flowed freely throughout the evening, accompanying each course of the lavish dinner.
She mentally stored the names and faces of those seated near her, quickly sorting them based on whether she could bear speaking to them again. Still, she couldn't deny that she was enjoying the evening, she was an unknown here, and could very much make a name and impression for herself however she chose. The night was made even better by the fact that Marko was clearly trying to get her attention—only for her to completely ignore him.
The dinner stretched late into the evening, and afterwards, they were herded to the college bar, where even more wine awaited. She found it easy to mingle with various groups at the bar, starting conversations and moving on whenever Marko seemed about to join.
Her thoughts swirled, hazy and blurred, as she stumbled up the steps out of the bar. She had hoped a walk would clear her head, but the rain soon made that impossible. Instead, she shuffled into the chapel. Upon spotting a grand piano in the far corner, she sat down and began to play.
She was relieved her fingers still moved through familiar patterns, despite the sway in her head. It was far from her best performance—her father would be appalled—but at least the melody was recognizable.
"How did you know?"
Marko's voice rang out from the aisle. Lucia wondered how long he'd been standing there, but she refused to stop playing before answering. She had to give him credit—he bristled with impatience but stood waiting, silent. His wet hair dripped softly in the quiet of the chapel.
When she finished, he offered a quiet round of applause. She closed the piano lid gently before rising to meet him.
"You've been following me?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement. She wondered if she should be flattered he'd suffered through an evening in the bar and a walk through the rain just to talk to her. A smile crept onto her face.
"How did you know?" He looked unimpressed as she swayed a little on the top step, and he held out an arm to steady her. She swatted his arm away, her balance wasn't bad enough for that and she had no intention of appearing vulnerable in front of this man.
"Hmm?" Even standing a step above him, she still had to tilt her head to meet his gaze, eyes that were a beautiful blue-grey. " I used my brain." She liked the way his hair curled around his face, drying from the rain.
She shook her head, her father would be so disappointed to see her in this state. She silently cursed the free-flowing wine that had left her in this foggy state. "Something I don't seem to be very capable of using right now."
She stepped down another step and walked past him for the door.
She stopped walking, "If you must know." She let the word draw out and was surprised to find him close on her heel. "Once you uncovered the secret affair between the shop owners, it was easy enough" Lucia had never had the opportunity to brag about a case to anyone and enjoyed it, even as she held onto the door frame for support, her stomach as unsteady as her balance, The rain continued to pour outside.
"And you could never prove it because he sold her body as a product over the next week." Luci looked up at him both surprised and a little grateful he could keep up, "Brilliant."
"Well, I'm not sure you should be heard calling a murder brilliant in polite society." Luci laughed, her head and body swaying as Marko reached out to steady her again. She didn't swat his hand away this time.
Says the girl with a morbid sketchbook," Marko teased. Lucia's lips twitched in response, fighting the urge to smile as she recalled the contents of the pages.
"You only made it past page one, it's not all so bad. I guess not the best first impression." she winced, she had to keep a closer eye on where she left her sketchbook. As she spoke she realised his first impression was objectively worse than hers and she wondered if he would take it as an insult. She shook her head again to try to clear her thoughts.
"I'm going to bed." Luci didn't move as she stared out the open door at the heavy stream of water. She frowned and wondered if she could make a run for it without tripping on her face, or if she'd just have to accept getting drenched. Her choice was made for her as Marko opened an umbrella over the both of them and took her under his arm. She let him prop her up as he walked her to her room.
"I'm sorry." He was tense as he spoke and Lucia looked up at him with laughter in her eyes. He'd clearly been silent the last few minutes trying to come up with an apology. "Most people who have befriended Rosie are in it for our fathers, I just made the wrong assumption you were one of them. I don't have friends, people have taken advantage of Rosie I don't want to see that happen again."
"Your fathers?"
Marko looked down at her with wide eyes.
"Don't look at me like I'm stupid." She snapped, shifting her body further from his.
"Sorry, I'm surprised Rosie didn't tell you."
"Like you so graciously said earlier," she snapped and Marko winced, "everyone at this place seems to be a child of someone important."
He was silent for a minute as they came to her staircase.
"Let's do this properly." Luci jumped under the cover of the entrance before turning to face him. "Nice to meet you my name is Lucia White"
He laughed at her stuck-out hand but took it and shook it, his fingers were calloused and Luci got the distinct impression he played an instrument. "My name is Marko Holmes."
A thought planted itself in Luci's head, confirmed by his next sentence, "and your roommate is Rosamund Watson."
He looked at her as if waiting for some exclamation of surprise but Lucia only let out a soft, "Oh.".
Thoughts tumbled around her head, a soft fear or panic was rising inside her and she shoved it back down even as her heart rate sped up. The alcohol was not helping.
"I have no intentions of taking advantage of Rosie or you-" she was afraid to realise that in that moment she meant it "-thank you for walking me back here, come find me if you're stuck on any more cases. " She ran back into her room so she wouldn't have to face him any longer as her head spun with the alcohol and the revelation.