Martine Brereton

You know what?

It's Midsummer. I'm not on duty.

I think I'm gonna take the time to do something stereotypically witchy and go dance naked... sorry, skyclad... on the roof tonight.

And why not? I'm a witch after all. Anyone want to join me?

I got flowers for Valentines day - not roses, it was a mixed bouquet. But it's LOVELY! And I still don't know who it's from. Actually, I don't think I want to know. It's nice just to have them.

Odd, though. Flowers but no card. How mysterious!

Mum and Dad are almost as delighted as I was at my exam results. I'd been SO worried that the skipped year would catch me up this year and make the work too hard for me, but I'm SO loving it. Perhaps it's a little odd to want to lick old walls and bottle the air in newly-excavated pots and boxes, but then I never said I wanted to be mainstream. Some people have fixations on animals, or children, or Shakespeare... I just prefer filthy, dusty old piles of bricks. Well... more the stories behind them, but it all comes down to the same thing in the end.

BUT! It's Friday. Are we going out anywhere? I promise I won't try to smuggle a book out with me this time. Well... not a big one, anyway.

The general mood in the house this week has been... well, "examified". I've heard a lot of muttering and swearing... and some muttering that I think is swearing but I'm unsure since it's not words I've ever heard before.

Some people just haven't been around at all. Which is fair enough, but I don't understand why people revise so much right on top of exams. Cramming's never a good long-term solution, or so I've been told. I don't know. I learn it when I'm taught it and keep going over it during the term - erm, sorry, semester as it is now. Then I don't need to tear out my hair so much at exam time. Perhaps that's why I'm here and not still in upper sixth. Hmmmm.

I'm just boring, I suppose. I like learning and I especially like my own subject. I'd do it for fun if I didn't have to do it for my degree.

Elizabeth thinks I must be ill.

How ridiculous.

I wasn't like this back in September. It's not as though this is my first time away from home anymore.

We had such a wonderful Christmas, though. And New Year. And Pucelle and Leonato looked superb and they rode really well. And the dogs... and, just everything.

It's not as though I want to go home - because I don't. I love my course and the people in the house are lovely. But I didn't want to come back just yet.

And I've forgotten my photographs.

*leaves the kitchen with a large mug of hot chocolate, sings "Winter Wonderland" to herself since it was on the last advert she'd seen on the TV before going to get her drink*

Heeeee. Since I'm the only one down here, I can choose what to watch. I wonder if Time Team's on anywhere...

And, if so, I wonder where's a good place to hide the remote so that nobody can change channels without effort, but they don't blame me.

*goes down the hallway without turning on the light*

I don't think Elizabeth's very happy. She's said every single curse word I know and several I've never heard before, although I'm sure they're in the same category.

Hmmmmm.

I think it's to do with Leeds United. They had a match tonight, apparently, with Derby County.

See? I'm not completely clueless. Not a great deal more than that, though.

I sort of don't really feel I should pester her for chocolates while she's so upset. Never mind, though. It's not as though Leeds are in the top division, is it? So, logically, she must be a bit more used to it than some of the others.

Anyway, I've started my Christmas shopping. I haven't found too much just yet, but at least it's a start. I can't wait to get home to see them all again...

Not that I don't like it here. I do. I LOVE it. The course could have been tailor-made for me and the people are really nice.

But they're not family. And this isn't Cheshire. And I don't have any of my horses here, never mind the dogs.

... actually, I wonder if I'd be allowed to bring a dog back after Christmas. I'm sure Daddy wouldn't mind...

Last night was SUCH fun. Normally we stay at home and just hand out sweets to the local children who call, and throw a party for the staff's children. It was different to be on the "receiving" end of it all, so to speak.

I'm afraid I got a little tipsy, but then there were plenty of people worse than me. Actually I still haven't even seen a few of them yet. I'm fine, though.

*turns a page of her book*

I'd love to curl up in the common room to read this, but there's football on the television and some of them take it rather seriously. I've never felt that way about any sports, but I suppose I can sort of understand. Daddy takes some of his associates to matches occasionally and he seems fond of it. Of course, he'd rather be on a racecourse, but football seems a fairly happy alternative for him.

I miss them. I can't wait for the Christmas holidays.

It's what time?

... Oh no... GMT night's one of my favourites of the year. My very first 25-hour day away from home and I missed it.

Huh. I suppose I could return to bed, but that just defeats the object now, doesn't it?

Also, I need to find somebody who can look at my keyboard. The space bar keeps sticking. It must have been when I took it apart to clean under the keys. It's really the only way to do it though, which is annoying. I thought I'd put it back correctly. Clearly I didn't, though.

Very irritating.

Ah well. Since I'm up maddeningly early I might as well take full advantage of it and grab the shower before the queue starts. Then I can do some reading while I eat my toast. That sounds like consolation enough.

Last night was fun.

Very silly, but fun.

I don't like whisky much, I must admit. But I did try it, at least. The beer was a lot nicer so I stuck to that. I only had three cans so I was fine.

I didn't dance or sing along, of course, but it was very enjoyable watching it from the sidelines.

Now, if I get a move on and get myself ready quickly enough I can make it to the coffee shop before classes. Sometimes, instant just won't do it.

... should I wake Caitlyn? I can't remember whether she's got classes this morning...

If it's okay with everyone else, could we possibly have The Secret Policeman's Ball on TV in the common room on Sunday evening?

It's usually really funny and it's for one of my mother's pet causes. Maman does some fundraising for Amnesty International each year.

If people would rather watch something else then of course that's more than fine, but I hope nobody minds me asking.

*stands outside the coffee place, amazed that she's got this close to the door finally*

*takes a DEEEEEEEEEEEEEP breath and holds her books a bit closer to her*

*braves going inside, gazing around as she goes to find a table*

Oh, this is WONDERFUL!

I can't wait until we get REALLY into it all. The Medieval Studies department is incredible. The proposed field trips... I can't wait.

I was so worried I'd be far too young - even if I knew I could more than handle it intellectually - but there are two people with birthdays in July and August, so while I'm the youngest, it's only by seven and two weeks respectively.

I should write to Daddy and Maman and let them know to hold off on the rescue mission, at least until the end of the week.

I think the way to best express today would be "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

*sits in the corner of the Common Room furthest from the door, reading and trying to look perfectly calm and that she's actually chosen to sit in one of the not-comfy chairs*

*glances up briefly when she ponders going to make coffee, changes her mind since she can hear voices in the hallway outside the door*

*lowers her head and keeps reading*

*really REALLY starting to want to go back home again*