Chapter 39
The next morning, I call Holly’s school and let them know that she is sick. Holly isn’t sick, but we have agreed that she will go to Teri’s house to delete the video – and frankly, we don’t have much time.
We’ve also decided to put on a little performance for Teri’s benefit, so she’ll be even more welcoming to Holly when she knocks on her front door.
I leave for work, as normal, but just before closing the door, I say, very loudly, ‘No! Holly! You cannot go to Teri’s house! If you’re not feeling well, you have to stay at home! That’s how it works!’
‘I hate you!’ Holly shouts from the front step, with a little too much conviction if I’m being honest. But then I remind myself that she does drama, and she’s very good.
‘I forbid it!’ I shout.
‘You’re not my mother!’ she cries, before slamming the door.
I catch movement in my peripheral vision. Like a curtain moving at Teri’s house.
Perfect.
In the car, I text Holly, If anything goes wrong, call me immediately.
She knows that. We’ve been through that. Although part of me wonders if I shouldn’t have said, call 999 immediately.
She replies, I know.
And text me when you’re back home.
She knows that, too. ‘Don’t stay there one minute longer than you need to,’ I’d said. ‘Do your thing, then come home. Tell her that I’m expected back any minute and if you’re not there, there’ll be trouble.’
Holly texts back, I will.
On the way there, I fill the car with petrol and throw the rubber gloves Holly and I used into a large bin.
When I get to work, Mike is waiting for me in the staffroom. There are four other teachers with him, and I get the distinct impression they were just talking about me. But now I’m here, they’ve all fallen silent.
‘Hello,’ I say, then try to think of something funny or clever to say, but nothing comes.
‘Hello, Kate,’ they all mumble.
I start to unbutton my coat, but Mike says, ‘In my office. Now.’
I stop unbuttoning my coat.
‘Pauline will take your class,’ he says somewhat coolly as we walk into his office. ‘And before we go any further, I know all about the altercation you had with Mrs Ashford-Wells yesterday.’
I swallow a sigh. ‘You and all of Brookford, apparently.’
He takes his seat behind the desk and indicates the smaller chair to me – the one that’s a bit lower than the desk. I sit down with my phone on my lap in case Holly calls or texts.
Mike drags his hands down his face. ‘I have no words, Kate. Truly.’
‘I’m really sorry. The Facebook post really upset me.’
‘That’s no reason to behave like you did.’
‘I know.’ I feel my cheeks redden. I mean, he’s right.
It’s embarrassing. It’s like Holly said yesterday: ‘You’re losing it!
’ I bite my bottom lip. ‘I came to tender my resignation. And to apologise.’ I stand up.
‘I know I should give two months’ notice, but if it’s possible, I’d like to leave sooner.
Also, I can’t stay today.’ I check my watch.
He waves his hand up and down at me. ‘Please sit down.’
‘I do need—’
‘This won’t take long.’
I do as I’m told. Mike checks his watch. He sighs. ‘I was going to fire you.’
I give him a small smile. ‘I thought as much. Sorry to beat you to the punch.’
‘The children will miss you,’ he says.
I nod. I don’t want to think about the children right now. If I do, I’ll probably burst into tears.
‘I loved my job, Mike, truly, and I want to thank you for the opportunity.’
‘I just wish—’ he begins, but a sharp knock on the door stops him.
Turning around, I see Diana Ashford-Wells standing there.
She’s wearing a black coat with a fur collar and a cloud of expensive perfume.
Her mouth is pursed. I can’t see the rest of her face because, for some reason, she is wearing enormous sunglasses.
It’s not even sunny outside, let alone in here.
‘Mrs Ashford-Wells. Please come in. I was about to tell Mrs Price that you were on your way.’
I stand up immediately. ‘Hello, Mrs Ashford-Wells,’ I say. ‘I’d like to apologise. I’m really sorry about my behaviour yesterday. It was unforgivable.’ She gives me a quick shake of the head and a confused look. She clearly wasn’t expecting that.
‘Please sit down,’ Mike says, indicating the other more comfortable chair.
‘You’re lucky I’m not reporting the assault to the police,’ she says. ‘I would have, you know. But Mr Ashford-Wells does not want the publicity.’
‘Let’s not exaggerate. I didn’t assault you,’ I say.
She makes a face, as if that were debatable.
Still, I can’t believe I didn’t think that my little outburst might lead to Diana reporting me to the police.
I try not to think about the possibility that both Holly and I could have been facing that situation.
I really am losing my mind. Thank God Scarlett was there to stop me.
‘Just so you know, I’ve resigned,’ I say.
‘Really?’
‘Yes. Although I was about to get fired.’
She doesn’t say anything, which surprises me. I thought she’d be cheering.
‘And I know it’s no excuse,’ I continue, ‘but I was very angry that you brought Holly into the conversation.’
She scoffs. ‘Then why did you tell me about Holly and her behavioural problems?’
‘I didn’t. Also, it’s all lies. The email didn’t come from me. Like I said, it was some kind of hoax.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yes.’
‘You called my son spoilt! A brat!’
‘It was some kind of prank, Mrs Ashford-Wells. Someone is pretending to be me. And for the record, I adore Gregory.’
She looks at me doubtfully.
‘Can I see the email address it came from?’ I ask.
She pulls out her phone and swipes the screen. ‘Kate dot Price four five six at Hotmail dot com.’
‘That’s not my email,’ I say. ‘I’ve never had that email address. Someone created it and then sent this to you pretending to be me.’
Diana turns to me. ‘Who?’
‘I don’t know,’ I lie. ‘Teenagers maybe? But I am so sorry that anything was said about Gregory. Please believe that I am not holding Gregory back. Gregory won’t be happy if we put him one year ahead.
It will be too challenging for him right now.
It’s not fair to him. Let him develop at his own pace.
He’s a gorgeous, wonderful, happy child.
He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s delightful.
He’s a joy to be around. But he’s not ready for what you’re trying to do. ’
She blinks and the corner of her mouth turns down. I wish she would take off those sunglasses.
‘Just give him a bit more time,’ I say. ‘And does Gregory really play chess?’
‘Well, I mean, sometimes his father encourages him to,’ she says. ‘All the men play chess in my husband’s family.’
‘He’s six years old.’
‘I know that. Thank you. You’re talking about my child.’
‘I’m sorry. You’re right. You know him better than I do, and I shouldn’t have been arguing so hard.’
She sighs. ‘I understand your perspective. You spend a lot of time with him in this setting.’
Mike and I exchange a look. I know exactly what he’s thinking. Have we heard that correctly?
‘I will have to talk to my husband about it,’ she says. ‘Maybe ask him to wait another year.’
I think I’ve gone through a portal and stepped into a different dimension.
She is silent for a moment, and then she turns to me. ‘But there was no reason for you to attack me yesterday.’
‘Yes, and I apologise for that,’ I say. ‘But I wish you hadn’t posted those things about Holly. She’s not a criminal in the making,’ I add, fully aware of the irony.
‘Do you accept that I genuinely thought the email was from you?’ Diana asks.
‘Yes. I do accept that you thought I’d sent it. But that doesn’t mean it was okay to share it with the world. It’s not right to do that to Holly.’
‘I see that. I apologise for what I said about Holly. I didn’t realise it was a lie, but regardless, I shouldn’t have been talking about Holly on Facebook. I’ll post something to say it was a hoax.’
I take a deep breath. ‘Thank you.’
Mike, who hasn’t said a word during this whole exchange, rubs his bald spot. ‘Wonders never cease,’ he mutters.