Mount Asteria

Chapter Thirty Four

"I hope you don't mind me saying this," Liam began nervously. "But you look tired."

Laura raised her eye-brows. "I'm a sixth year Mount Asteria student and it's the last day of our first half a term. Of course I'm tired."

"How was you assignment in... London, was it?"

"It was... interesting." Laura rubbed her left forearm, as she was wont to do when she felt anxious.

"Interesting?"

"I'm not at liberty to disclose any further details." She wouldn't have even if she could. She didn't like to remember how she had felt watching the capture mission – she shuddered even thinking about it.

"Okay." Liam stared absently into the distance and she waited for him to think of another question. "What are your plans for midterm?" he asked, picking up a pencil and a piece of paper. He examined the nib closely.

"I'm just going to rest, I think."

"Hmm." Liam frowned, opened a drawer and began rummaging around in it.

"Liam?"

"Yeah?" He looked up, surprised.

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for a pencil sharpener."

"Why?"

He stared at her for a few seconds. "I – er – I'm sorry, Laura, I don't know what I'm doing. I just got a thought -"

Laura looked at him, puzzled. "Are you okay?"

He took a breath and looked around them. "I... no. Sorry, I just got some news – well, bad news and -"

"Why don't I make us a cup of tea?" she offered, walking out of his office before he could object. Across the hall was a small kitchen for the use of the chaplain and the priest when he came on Sundays. She set the kettle boiling and quickly located the teabags – Sr Maria had always made tea for her during their sessions – and soon reentered the small office with two mugs.

"Here," she said, setting one down on Liam's desk. "I'll get some milk and s-"

"No, thank you. I take it black."

"Oh. Like me."

He smiled and took the cup. "Thanks, Laura."

"No problem," she replied, sitting down in her usual chair. She examined him closely as he stared into his tea, an absent expression on his face. He did not look tired or stressed – as she did, she knew – only out of spirits. "What was your news?" she asked after several moments of silence.

He looked up and seemed to consider whether he should share such information with her. "The vocations director I have been meeting with has decided I need more time before I should join the seminary."

"Oh," Laura said, unable to think of anything better to say. After all, she couldn't quite relate to his situation. "Have you had a vocation?" she asked sceptically.

"I think so," he replied quietly. "But now I'm not so sure."

He looked unusually downcast. "Oh, for heaven's sake," Laura exclaimed. "What does your vocations director know? And what sort of job is that, vocations director? Honestly, the Church never fails to amaze me with the nonsense it comes up with."

Liam looked at her, eyebrows raised. She coloured slightly. The tended to avoid religion as a topic of discussion because she was extremely opinionated on the subject.

To her relief, Liam did not comment on her outburst and continued, "I had hoped taking on the role as chaplain here would help... but apparently not."

"I'd wondered why you took the job. Though it's odd they should have offered it to you in the first place. I was not aware we had any ties with the seminary in Maynooth." Laura could not quite bring herself to say something comforting so she resorted to her usual unsentimental observations. Sensing her words were a little cold, she hastened to add, "Though you have done an excellent job here."

He shook his head and smiled, knowing she did not believe what she was saying. "I think there were some issues finding a chaplain on short notice. And I was not supposed to continue after mid-term, but as your Sr. Maria seems to still be unwell and considering my new circumstances... Though I suppose it depends on what the Board says."

Laura bit the inside of her cheek, feeling sorry for Liam. "I'll put in a good word for you," she offered. "I technically have some influence as I represent all the students and the fact I have experience with you will help."

Liam looked surprised. "You'd do that?" he asked.

She shrugged, setting down her cup. "Well what else are you going to do? Register with the Psychological Society? I have it in my power to save the rest of people of Ireland from your psychological services and I feel it my duty to do so."

She smiled cheekily at him. "I'd better go, I'm supposed to be meeting my grandparents for lunch." She opened the door, but before she could leave he called her back. "Laura, wait!"

She turned around, wishing he wouldn't say anything. She was doing him a favour – God knew why – the least he could do was not make a big deal of it.

"Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome," she replied quietly. "And I'm sure your vocational director – person – thing – will come around."