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We shook hands with the dean and I politelyoutside for some fresh air

I burst into the open quad and the winter chill slapped atjolt that I needed I tipped e, delicate snowflakes kissed my cold skin It made me feel alive… well, semi-alive

I was still nuloves and surveyed the empty campus Crisp white snow capped the tall, intricate spires and roofs of the ancient buildings, casting a Dickensian winter wonderland feel on the prestigious university I loved Oxford in winter; it was one of the most beautiful places on Earth It was my Mecca, my Holy Grail, or at least it used to be Now I just felt like an imposter A lost drifter, far, far away from her home

The majority of the students were away for the Christmas break and I’d spent Christ not to think about what it would have been like at Ally’s house in Birham, with Romeo… and our baby

When Suzy and I arrived in Oxford, ere told that our hosts had to delay our lecture for a week, which was fine by ical teaht could be an ancient royal toiven to thes to the press I, for one, was glad I needed the tiht

I missed Romeo I missed hi of a broken heart A couple weeks had passed since we’d arrived in England, and I’d yet to check my phone or o back Everyone would know aboutthat exposed, people knowing, pitying

With a cal breath, I set forth to the Radcliffe Ca thousands of books in ht less about Roet

The snow crunched like crisping leaves under hter around my chest

I was almost at the door of the library when I heard, "Molly? Molly Shakespeare? Is that you?"

I turned and was met with the shell-shocked face of Oliver Bartholoed at the aardness of the surprise reunion "Hey, Olly, long tirin as he walked towards"Bloody hell, Molly, I allasses? Your hair… you look coood way," he stuttered nervously while roving ht sapphire-blue eyes

"Thanks I wear contacts now andelse" I gestured down my body

"Well, she excelled herself You look beautiful But then, you’ve always been beautiful"

I dropped ht mouth It only mattered to me when Romeo called me beautiful, when he meant it with all his heart Floods of memories tried to rise to the surface I held rab a coffee?" Oliver broke h to refocus I looked up at him and his face was so hopeful

Poor Oliver The last ti I was gone, never to return He hadn’t deserved lanced to the library and back to him I wanted to say no

"Just a quick catch-up, I swear" He nipped the sleeve of ers, head down "I’ve missed you"

"Okay" I relented Oliver’s face broke into a wide smile and he fell into step beside me as alked in companionable silence

Fifteen minutes later and ere sat in theof the calish Breakfast tea for him and cappuccino for me

As I watched hiuy So kind and unpretentious I never gave him credit for that in the short ti He didn’t know me, but that was entirely my fault I’d never let hi Team scarf in a knot around his neck and a red cash off his slim body and brown hair "So, Molly, how are the States? Why are you back?"

I fiddled with ood… different I continued assisting Professor Ross with the philosophy paper and we just had the lecture showcasing our argument"