Chapter 33

Hope slipped into the common room quietly, looking past the crowd in front of the television, and casting about for signs of Yvonne.

"You walked past me." A husky voice whispered in her ear, and she started, suddenly, spinning to stare into a gaping cleavage highlighted by a delicately worked silver charm. Stepping back — stumbling almost — Hope gained enough space to look up into a pair of crystal blue eyes and an inviting, teasing smirk.

"I can't imagine how I didn't notice." She finally managed, meeting the smirk with a grin of her own, checking out the extremely short denim skirt and the small top that barely covered some very generous charms.

"Yvonne Salter." She gave a little wave, pushing forward until she was almost on top of Hope, and then slipping past to slide into a chair at one of the small tables.

"Hope Nakata." She found herself smiling gently at the bright introduction, and slipped into the opposite seat.

"So you're wanting to know how come someone wanted me out of their room, right?"

"It was high on my list." Hope admitted, relieved at the woman's frankness.

"She couldn't handle some of my... lifestyle choices."

"That seems a little vague." Hope pointed out, wondering what the specifics of the situation were.

"I've seen you around, you know."

"Really?"

"We've been to some of the same clubs... The Black Cat, Purbrooks."

"Oh... those kinds of lifestyle choices."

"Yeah..."

"Is that why you asked to share with me?"

"Well, I was given a list of names... you were the first I picked."

"OK... so, what are you studying?"

"Law." She laughed at Hope's expression. "I know, the nose-stud doesn't mesh with the idea of a lawyer, but until then... why not? What about you?"

"I'm just sort of wandering through things that interest me, really... I've not decided what I want to do, so I'm just studying for fun."

"Studying for fun... now that is a strange lifestyle choice."

"Perhaps." Hope admitted. "But it's mine."

"Good for you... OK, cards on the table time..." Hope paused, wondering what was coming next. "Look, I'm... I hang out at the Black Cat a lot, but I don't limit my choices... you know."

"I have a guy I have my eye on." Hope admitted, with an understanding nod. "Either way I'm not going to judge you on it."

"It's just... well, your last room-mate had a reputation as a bit of a prude."

"Lorraine? I guess, if you want to think like that. She knew what she wanted, too... she wasn't prepared to compromise. I'm guessing you'd understand that, right?"

"Yeah, that's true." Yvonne settled back, obviously considering that. "Good for her, I guess."

"It worked for her, too, she got who she was after."

"Who? One of the choirboys?" she smiled a smile that was almost a sneer.

"Hey, I'm in the choir."

"You are!" That surprised her.

"Yeah, I like music. I like singing." She knew she was a little defensive, and tried to turn attention away from herself. "Anyway, she ended up with one of the rugby team."

"Really... which one?"

"You know them? Tony Richardson."

"No shit! Wow... I'd have me some of that."

"Tony? Really?"

"You wouldn't?"

"He's a little... I don't know. Superficial. Not shallow, he just doesn't use the depths he's capable of, very often."

"I could get him to go deep, trust me." Yvonne cackled a laugh like Elspeth, and Hope made her decision.

"I think we'll be fine."

"Hey, guys." Tony trotted to the edge of the pitch, breathing heavily, caked in mud and dirt but grinning broadly. "Good of you all to come."

"Some of us support our friends." Brianna noted, loftily.

"I told you, Bri, we had the rugby club social this weekend. I had to help set up the hall or I'd have come watch your game."

"Well, just you make sure you come this weekend." She muttered, slightly placated.

"Am I not enough for you any more?" Elspeth pouted, laying her head on Bri's shoulder, and getting a laugh out of her.

"You'll do, I'm... sure..." she trailed off, and Elspeth and Tony both turned to look across the pitch to where she was staring.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's Hope." Brianna noted. "And... I don't know who that is."

"I can see why she caught your eye." Tony noted, staring at the long legs for a moment.

"You're already spoken for!" Brianna slapped his arm.

"So are you!" Elspeth slapped her arm, with a grin. "That said, I can see why she caught your eye, too..."