The flight went by quickly, or maybe it seemed that way to me. After landing, everyone suddenly started clapping their hands, and I was not lagging behind, although I wondered what all this action was for. And when people started to get off the plane, I was breathless at the thought that I was already in England. I walked out on wobbly legs, realising with all my being that I had entered another world, a world belonging to people… And in another country, another culture, another language environment!

Thanks to my keen people-watching, I successfully picked up my luggage, but I had to hire a loadman to do it – my numerous bags were «beyond my strength». Of course, I could have easily carried them myself, but in people's eyes I was just a fragile girl, and I could feel the admiring glances. I felt uncomfortable with all the attention.

I went out of the airport building to hire a taxi (the luggage handler rolled my bags behind me on a trolley), but, as it turned out, there were no cars in the car park. I was confused, not expecting such a turn of events and previously believing that there was a whole crowd of taxi drivers waiting for me, hungry for my money.

– Miss Mroczek! – I suddenly heard an unfamiliar male voice not far from me.

«Is it calling for me? It can't be, because nobody knows me here!» – I thought, but I turned round to see the voice calling my name.

– Miss Mroczek… Misha Mroczek… It's you, isn't it? – A rather tall, dark-haired guy came up to me, and of course he spoke English.

There was no limit to my surprise.

– Yes» I replied. – Do I know you?

The guy grinned and looked me over from head to toe. His tactlessness caught me uncomfortably off guard.

– My eyes are actually here! – I told him sternly.

– Oh, I apologise… No, I haven't met you yet, but I've been waiting for you to show up for over an hour» he said confusedly. – My name is Harry Smith: my family is your landlord.

– It's nice to meet you, Harry, but I don't understand why you've been waiting for me. – I was even more surprised.

– I'll take you to the flat» he replied.

– Thank you, of course, but I could have got there on my own.

– I hope you won't insist on travelling alone to Oxford: I just thought it would be more convenient for you if I picked you up from the airport, and you wouldn't have the hassle of travelling and the extra cost of a taxi.

I was confused: this Harry had completely ruined my plans and my independent, carefully thought-out itinerary. At first I wanted to refuse him, but then I thought he'd come for me on purpose, and I felt sorry for the guy for having to wait for me for over an hour. Me, a girl he didn't even know.

– All right, Harry. And thanks for coming to get me, it's my pleasure» I finally said.

– Glad to help. So, where are your bags? – he said cheerfully.

I nodded towards the loader.

Harry grinned.

– Four huge bags?

– Yeah.

– Did you bring the whole wardrobe with you?

– Almost» I answered seriously, frowning at his mocking tone. – But I don't think that's any of your business at all.

Harry blushed a little.

– 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. – He smiled embarrassedly.

– It's okay, and I'm sorry» I said, feeling extremely awkward.

We walked in silence to his car, a big grey Jeep. Harry started to put my bags in the boot, and I paid the baggage handler and tipped him.

Then Harry and I got into the car.

– Don't forget to buckle up» the guy said as he started the engine.

I grinned and buckled my seatbelt, Harry did the same, and only then did we pull out of the car park and onto the road.

– How did you recognise me? – I asked.

– It was easy: your sister told my mother that you were a beautiful, thin, long-haired blonde» he replied.

«I'm not that thin!» – I thought grudgingly. The compliment left me completely indifferent: I was fed up with the admiration of others. It annoyed me.

– Are the students moving in already? – I asked, turning the conversation to another topic.

– I think so, but to be honest I don't know, as I'm rarely in Oxford.

– Why? I thought you lived there.

– Almost. We only live there in the summer, and for the school year we rent a flat and move to London» said the guy. – Can I ask you something?

– Please. – I was very amused by his tetchy English.

– Why Oxford?

This question, often asked of me by my parents, made me smile.