Sarah Ladipo Manyika

Vanessa cursed herself as she and her friends left the pub. A wet October night was not the time to have worn, of all silly things, a strapless dress with summer sandals. And what on earth was she doing splashing through rain and stubbing her toes on paving stones as she ran towards Balliol? Who was this person that everyone was talking about as though he were a god? Supposedly good

looking, from an aristocratic family, captain of boats at Balliol, and a million other marvellous things, none of which meant much to her. Certainly not the aristocratic bit, but she had to keep going because it was late and too dark to walk back to college alone, even though she still felt tempted to try.

When Vanessa and her friends arrived at the party, someone was thoughtful enough to lend her a towel. She

Supposedly good-looking, from an aristocratic family, captain of boats at Balliol, and a million other marvellous things, none of which meant much to her. Certainly not the aristocratic bit, but she had to keep going because it was late and too dark to walk back to college alone, even though she still felt tempted to try.

When Vanessa and her friends arrived at the party, someone was thoughtful enough to lend her a towel. She