Chapter 6 #2
‘Distraction,’ John snapped back. ‘All this production talk, this ‘Grease performance’ that Ms Allen appears to think will save the school, is just a bloody distraction from the reality of the Sattars moving in with their bulldozers and putting us out of a job. Well, I tell you now, I for one won’t be hanging round until the bitter end as we go down in our life jackets singing “Look at me I’m Sandra Dee”!
’ He pulled out the week’s edition of the Times Ed from his tweed jacket.
‘I, for one, am already looking to jump before I’m pushed, and I advise the rest of you to do the same.
’ He sat back in his chair with folded arms, a self-satisfied look on his broken-veined face.
‘Thank you, John.’ Mason spoke quietly and calmly, but Robyn could see the head was rattled. ‘I’ve spoken privately to most of you about your concerns and I quite understand, particularly the younger members of staff, that you are already looking. I can’t stop anyone doing that…’
‘Of course you can’t,’ Jo said crossly. ‘It would be a lot more helpful if you’d just keep us up to date about what the council and the Sattar brothers are up to.’
Oops, Robyn thought, looking across at Jo. Wasn’t the job of a deputy to side with, and back up, management instead of criticising it?
‘Instead of fannying around with a bloody school production that probably isn’t even going to go ahead now.’ John Vaughn sat back, arms behind his head.
‘The production is going ahead,’ Robyn snapped crossly.
‘It’s going to be fabulous. And even better if we have a couple more months of rehearsals.
You know, most high schools like this start rehearsing their end-of-year production in September before putting it on in June or July.
Mason was just being a bit over-enthusiastic about how long it would take, even though I told him, from the very start… ’
Mason held up his hands in acquiescence, but Robyn could see he wasn’t happy at her calling him out in front of the staff. She really must start regarding him as her boss rather than her ex-lover.
‘With regards to the plans for the school, I’ve a meeting in’ – Mason glanced up at the clock – ‘five minutes ago. And of course, when I know anything, you’ll also be the first to know.
What we don’t need is speculation and gossip.
That’s only going to lose us kids, as their parents try to get them into other schools early, before there’s a mass exodus.
So, if you’ll excuse me, the bell’s also gone.
Registration, please, all of you, and quickly. ’
Knowing she’d an English lesson with her favourite Year 7 class of eleven- and twelve-year-olds, Robyn rose with more than usual alacrity following Mason from the room, when she was stopped short.
‘Robyn, how lovely to see you again.’ A voice rang out in her direction down the long ground-floor corridor and, before she could stop him, the owner of the voice was at her side, reaching down to plant a kiss on her cheek.
‘Especially,’ he added, ‘as it appears we’re about to become more than acquaintances. ’
Heads turned and glances were exchanged amongst the staff leaving for their registration classes and, red-faced, Robyn turned back to follow them.
‘I’m sorry I had to leave before Kamran’s big announcement on Saturday night,’ he called after her, ‘but good do, wasn’t it? We’re obviously going to be seeing a lot more of each other in the future…’
But Robyn had fled, running up the steps to the classroom rather than running the gauntlet of curious, whispering teachers.
And not before she’d heard John Vaughn’s voice pointedly behind her. ‘Hmm, interesting or what? You do know who that is? George Sattar! Fraternising with the enemy now, is she?’
* * *
‘It was deliberate,’ Robyn said crossly, reaching into the fridge for the bottle of white wine and pouring herself a hefty measure.
‘On a school night?’ Fabian looked across in her direction.
‘I need it.’
‘What do you mean deliberate?’ Fabian appeared somewhat distracted, looking through his phone as she spoke.
‘Are you listening?’
‘Yes.’
‘George Sattar deliberately called me out in front of the rest of the staff.’
‘Why would he do that?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. To make mischief.’
‘You’re overthinking it,’ Fabian said, going back to his phone. ‘He was likely as not just being pleasant. Don’t forget he’s probably a lot different when he’s sober and, after all, you are going to be related at some point. If Lisa goes ahead and marries Kamran.’
‘What do you mean, if? Why wouldn’t she?’
‘Why wouldn’t she what?’
‘Fabian, you’re not listening to a word I’m telling you.’
‘I am, I am. It’s all a bit sudden, isn’t it?’
Robyn found herself growing irritable on Lisa’s behalf.
‘Well, I’d have said yes if you’d asked me to marry you after we’d been together three months…
’ Robyn trailed off, hiding her scarlet face in the fridge as she replaced the bottle of wine.
Jesus, what was the matter with her? Had she just proposed to Fabian?
‘Sorry? What was that?’ Fabian was still studying his phone.
‘Nothing, nothing.’ Robyn took a sideways glance at Fabian. ‘When Mum marries Kamran, what does that make the obnoxious George and me? I mean, Jess really disliked him. I think that’s why she drank so much.’
‘Not because that pillock of a husband of hers was practically fornicating on the other side of the table with George’s date? I don’t know why she didn’t just throw a glass of wine in his lap.’
‘Too busy getting it down her neck.’ Robyn attempted humour and then sighed. ‘She’s got used to it over the years. She’ll never stop loving Dean, wanting him. Bit like Mum and Jayden really. You know, before Kamran came along?’
‘George’ll be your uncle.’
‘My uncle?’ Robyn stared. ‘He’s only a few years older than me.’
‘Well, your step-uncle, I guess. I don’t know why you’re getting so uptight about all this.’
‘OK, OK,’ Robyn said, sniffing the air and looking round the kitchen. ‘I’m starving. What, oh househusband and fabulous cook, have you prepared for us tonight?’
‘Sorry?’
‘Fabian, for heaven’s sake… What are we having for tea? OK, in your southern parlance, what’s for supper…?’ She trailed off as yet another message came through on his phone.
‘Beans on toast, I’m afraid.’ He stood abruptly. ‘Need to go out.’
‘Out? Out where? It’s Monday evening.’
‘Got to meet up with a couple of suppliers.’ He reached for his jacket. ‘Won’t be long.’
‘Suppliers? Now? Well, shall I come with you?’ Robyn reached for her own jacket.
‘No! No need.’ Fabian walked to the door without a backwards glance. ‘Won’t be long. I’ll grab something to eat somewhere.’
And with that, he was off.