But it was too late.
“Is everything alright?” asked a troubled voice from the other side of the door.
“Um… Ahh… No not really… I… I can’t get out,” I admitted.
“You wouldn’t happen to have the other side to this doorknob in there?” the voice asked, tongue-in-cheek.
“I do!” I cried, looking into my hand.
I turned towards the door, still on my knees, and put my side of the handle back. The mystery man put his side of the handle back too. Once the handle was functional again, the door opened slowly. I was still on the ground, and struggled to get out of the way as it opened. I was too embarrassed to face the mystery man who had just witnessed my incredible display of stupidity.
I found it difficult to get up off the floor, so I sat there. The pain was still severe. I didn’t want to raise my head to explain to whoever was there what had happened.
“Please… allow me,” he said as he bent down to help me up.
I wish I were a horse; the honourable thing to do right now would be to shoot me.
“I’m so sorry, I am so embarrassed. I tried to open the door, but it seemed to be jammed — I am so embarrassed!” I muttered quickly, finally able to raise my head, which I regretted immediately.
The man was very handsome, making it all the more embarrassing. His eyes were strangely familiar, making it difficult for me to look away. I was sure the dumb-founded look on my face was doing nothing to make me look less of a fool. I closed my eyes and put my head down again. I felt sick.
“You’re bleeding! Wait here,” he ordered.
“Miss Kent!” the voice yelled further down the corridor.
“What is it? Is everything alright?”
“Catherine has hurt herself. Please go and get Dr Simons and have him come to her room immediately,” the gentleman calmly requested.
“Yes, of course, right away!” I could hear Jules shuffling quickly past my door and down the corridor.
I lifted my head again and opened my eyes. This time he had a comforting smile on his face, but his eyes were full of concern.
“Who are you?” I asked. I could feel tears in my eyes start to well. I wish I could take back today and start again. Between the pain in my head and the humiliation, I felt stupid and clumsy.
He didn’t answer. He continued to stare at me like he was expecting me to say something.
What was so hard about the question? Surely he knew who he was!
“Who are you?” I repeated, shocked at my tone and impatience.
He let out a heavy sigh and straightened his posture.
“I am James Barclay, the college principal.”
The principal! He’s the principal? What in God’s name have I gotten myself into? I can’t look at him without my heart thumping and he is my boss!
I couldn’t look away from him, even though I’m sure I was making him uncomfortable. “Catherine, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. All that matters now… is to stop your pain and that you are alright,” he whispered.
I could have easily started crying again. His voice was calming, his words comforting. I was feeling a strong affection for this person.
OK, I have just hit my head. That explains why I am entertaining such nonsense.
As I started to get up, I could see that Mr Barclay was confused as to whether he should grab my arm to help or not.
“Take it slowly,” he said with his magical voice.
I was determined to salvage whatever dignity I had left. I started to pull myself up from the floor, but as I did so I lost my balance and without thinking I held out my hand to him for support. Mr Barclay quickly came to my assistance, grabbing my hand to stop me from falling. He placed his other arm around my lower back and brought my body close to his so as to lean on him. Even with all this pain, my body trembled from his touch.
“Slowly,” he ordered, as he guided me to my bed.
“Now, how do you want to do this?” he asked as we finally arrived at my bed.
“Excuse me?” I replied, stunned. “Do what?”
“Would you like to sit on your bed or lie down?” he explained, amused by my assumption.
“Oh… yes of course. I’ll sit,” I replied, mortified by my misunderstanding.
As he helped me sit down on the bed, I could see that he still had a smirk on his face. He then took a couple of steps back from me — his smile warmed the whole room. He was so handsome. Thankfully my ridiculous thoughts were interrupted by Jules’s high-pitched voice. I could hear a second voice that I assumed must be the doctor’s.
“Knock, knock!” Jules sang as she and a strange-looking man entered the room.
“My apologies for taking so long. He’d started his morning walk and it took me some time to find him,” Jules said, looking over at the doctor, sounding unimpressed.
“What seems to be the problem, my dear?” the doctor enquiry as he placed his worn black leather bag beside me and opened it.
“It’s silly. I’m OK now and I am so sorry to have troubled you,” I replied sheepishly. I could feel the redness returning to my cheeks, signalling another round of embarrassment.
The doctor gave Mr Barclay a puzzled look. Mr Barclay was now standing beside my desk. From where I was sitting I could now see that he was tall and had broad shoulders. He dressed well, very well. Like something you would see in a Vogue spread.
“Dr Simons, I am guessing Catherine is feeling guilty that she has taken you away from your walk this morning,” Mr Barclay suggested as he started to walk towards me.
“Catherine, Miss Kent and I will leave you now so Dr Simons can examine you. I’m sure everything is fine, nevertheless I would be happier knowing that the doctor has checked you over.”
“Yes, Catherine, I agree. I will come back and check on you later on and there is no rush for that tour. You should rest and recover from whatever just happened,” Jules said as she made her way out of my room.
Mr Barclay was speaking to Dr Simons, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Jules was still talking as she left.
The examination didn’t take long, and once the doctor was filled in on my self-abuse, he looked me over and warned me that I would be sore for a few days but that there was nothing to worry about. My head had stopped bleeding and there was no need for stitches. Dr Simons gave me strict instructions to do nothing but rest for the day in case I had sustained any concussion. He seemed quite shy; his voice low and gentle. He was constantly pushing back his glasses which were obviously too big for him.
“Thank you, I am really sorry to have cut short your walk,” I smiled sincerely.
“It’s perfectly fine. You can make it up to me by going on a walk with me soon. The grounds really are magnificent. Anyway, it was lovely to meet you. The other teachers will be envious that we have met already,” he said with a mischievous smile on his face.
“Please, don’t tell anyone about today,” I pleaded.
“You don’t have to worry about that, Catherine. Mr Barclay was quite clear on that matter. He had a quick word to me just then about that, and I am not about to upset the principal! Your secret is safe with me,” he promised as he packed his bag and left the room.
Finally, I was alone. I got off my bed and stood up straight. I still felt a little light-headed and it ached. I wanted to take a minute and try and make sense of the chaos that I had just caused, but thinking about it was just making me anxious about my stupidity. Talk about an entrance. Having everyone’s attention like that would be up there with what I hate most.
I went to my window and stared out hoping it would stop me from being so angry with myself. It was now raining, and I loved the rain. Most people I knew saw rain as miserable, but I saw it as homely and comforting, especially in this beautiful setting.