Page 26 of Savage Protector
The doctor,Megan, is almost as delighted as I am when I tell her my exam results. “You’ll make a good doctor. I wish you well.”
“Thank you, but I’m not sure…”
“What’s the problem?”
I sink into the chair she indicates. “It’s no good. My family won’t give up. I’ll be in danger as soon as they realise I didn’t die out there in the water.”
“What does Ethan say?”
“I don’t know. But Zayn thinks he can handle my uncle.”
“Then, he can. You can rely on them to keep you safe.”
I open my mouth, then close it again. Maybe Icantrust these enigmatic men, despite the air of danger coming off them in waves. They’ve certainly not let me down so far.
Frankie dropsin with a spare tablet. “You’ll be needing this,” he announces. “It’s mine, but I don’t use it anymore.
“I couldn’t?—”
“Yes, you could.” He drops the tablet on my bed and leaves to get on with whatever geeky jiggery-pokery he may be working on. He gives me a cheery wave. “If you end up studying in Glasgow I may see you around the students’ union.”
Actually, Glasgow sounds pretty good to me. It was always my preferred option. I decide to place my faith in Zayn and I fire up the tablet to let them know I’ll be coming to Glasgow. The return email is speedy in coming. It’s probably an automated response but wonderful anyway.
Dear Ms Mansour,
Thank you for choosing The University of Glasgow. I am delighted to confirm our unconditional offer of a place in the University of Glasgow School of Medicine to commence in the academic year 2023-24.
At the forefront of clinical interventions and discovery, we are one of the largest and most prestigious medical schools in Europe. This means that by studying with us, you can be certain of benefitting from our outstanding facilities and pioneering teaching methods, including the best in clinical experience.
New undergraduate registration takes place on 21 August 2023, and you will be expected to enrol in the courses for your programme by the middle of September. Teaching commences on 25 September 2023.
Once more, may I welcome you to Glasgow and wish you all the very best in your future studies.
Yours sincerely
Ms. H. Rashid, Admissions Tutor
I’m temptedto kiss the tablet screen, but I settle for rushing through to her tiny office to tell Megan.
“I’m going to Glasgow,” I announce. “They confirmed their offer. I start in…”Shit!I reread the reply from Ms. H. Rashid. “Three weeks! I have to enrol by the middle of September. What date is it today?”
“August twentieth.”
“But I have nothing arranged. I need somewhere to live, and money, and…and…”
“Have you spoken to Zayn?”
“Why? I don’t see how?—”
“Here. That’s his number.” She hands me her phone. “Ring him.”
Well, I might as well share my news. I hit ‘call’.
“Megan?” He answers almost immediately. “Is something wrong?”
“It’s me. Leila. Megan lent me her phone.”
“Oh. Well, hi. How are things?”
