Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Determined to have a better day and a better week, Emma straightened her shoulders and strode through the main foyer of the school, her trainers thudding lightly against the polished floor.
The morning chatter buzzed around her—expected for a Monday morning—while students darted past with books clutched to their chests.
But Emma stayed focused, grounding herself in the familiar rhythm of the building she knew so well.
She’d spent the weekend wrapped up in Vanessa, the two of them cocooned in the comfort of their shared world filled with love and support.
They’d even managed a few light-hearted hours with Daisy and Lauren, the first laughter Emma had truly felt since Freya had shattered her reality the week before.
Now, she was walking forward with quiet resolve, hoping that if she just kept moving—one foot, then the other—everything might just find its place.
Providing it was of benefit to Freya, of course.
If the past week had taught her anything, it was that control was a fantasy.
Emma had always wanted to believe she could shape her own destiny, that she could muscle through the unexpected with sheer will and determination alone, but life had a cruel way of snatching that control away just when she thought she had it.
Still, she had to believe in something. And right now, she was choosing to believe that Freya’s happiness, safety, and sense of belonging mattered more than any ideal outcome Emma could conjure up in her mind.
“Oh, Emma!”
She looked up, startled from her thoughts, where she stood at the bottom of the staffroom stairs. Ellie Hamilton, the head teacher, was peering down with her usual pleasant smile and the same cool composure she always carried with such confidence.
“Hi, Ellie. Nice weekend?”
“Quiet. Just the way I like it.”
Emma offered a small, knowing smile. She preferred quiet weekends, too. Especially when they were spent tangled up with Vanessa in their cosiest clothes as the rain hammered the windows, the world locked outside. “Mostly the same for us, too.”
“I was hoping to find you in the P.E. department,” Ellie said, descending a couple of steps. “Thank you for saving me the trouble of making my way over there.”
Emma paused, her foot hovering over the next stair. Something felt off. She felt off. “Did you need to see me about something?”
“I did, yes. Could we do it in my office?”
Ellie’s voice was too calm for it to be anything terrible, but there was still a hint of apprehension fizzing inside of her.
She couldn’t remember ever being called to the head teacher’s office.
Not as a student, and certainly not as a teacher.
She suddenly felt like a child about to be told off, that strange unease only curling with more intensity in her belly. “Sure. That’s no problem.”
She reached into her bag for her phone and quickly sent a message to Vanessa.
I’ve been summoned to Ellie’s office! If you don’t see me here again, the school board decided I’m nothing more than an imposter and I only got this job because I’m sleeping with the best teacher in the school!
With a tight smile, she locked her phone and put it away.
Whatever this was, she’d face it. She had to.
Once she was inside Ellie’s office, Emma exhaled slowly and forced her shoulders to relax.
The space smelled as it always did. Of peppermint tea.
She perched on the edge of a chair and willed herself to stay calm. “So, what’s up?”
Ellie settled into her own chair, her fingers steepled. “I received a call this morning.”
Emma sat up a little straighter. “O…kay. I’m going to assume this call has something to do with me.”
“Freya Fields.”
Her name hit Emma like a punch to the stomach. Her chest tightened as every last thought blurred into a mess. Was Freya being moved? Was she being moved? Was she about to be dismissed?
“Is she being moved?” Emma asked, her fingers curling around the hem of her shorts. “If she is, I’ll save everyone the hassle and find a position elsewhere myself. She’s been through enough in her life already. I don’t want her to have to swap and change again. That’s not fair to her.”
“So, you knew that she was your sister?”
“Only when she told me herself last week.” Emma lowered her eyes to her lap, to her trembling hands. “I didn’t believe her at first, obviously.”
Ellie didn’t speak, only nodded, quietly holding space.
“I got in touch with my mum and she confirmed that she’d had another child once I’d left home and cut contact with my family.
” Her voice broke slightly, just a hairline crack in the composure she was clinging to.
And she really was clinging onto it for dear life.
“I’m sorry. I’m still coming to terms with it all.
If I’d known I had a sister, I would have taken her and looked after her.
I would have done anything to get her away from my useless parents. Our useless parents.”
The pain of it all settled deep inside Emma once again.
Her sister, her own flesh and blood…had been left to fend for herself.
“A social worker on her case has asked that I set up a meeting when it’s suitable for you.”
“Look, Ellie.” She drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly.
“You have enough to deal with. You’ve been through enough.
You don’t need all of this going on in the background.
I’ll hand in my resignation, and I won’t have any contact with Freya.
Which, by the way, I haven’t done so far.
I wouldn’t. I know it’ll only mess with her head, and I don’t want that for her. ”
“Emma, you won’t be handing in your resignation. You’re a vital part of this school. You’ve only just taken on the head of department job.”
“I only did that because Vanessa encouraged me to go after it. She’s always pushing me towards things to better myself.”
Ellie smiled gently. “That’s the sign of a good wife.”
“I know, but anyway…” Emma gestured vaguely.
“None of this is necessary. I hoped that maybe I could have some kind of relationship with Freya, but if a social worker has been in touch, I think we can both agree that whatever is about to happen is only going to upset me and mess with Freya’s routine. ”
“Perhaps we could set up the meeting and go from there. Nobody has any answers as of yet, and I think it’s important that you hear what they have to say.
” Ellie leaned in slightly, the kindness in her voice the only thing keeping Emma calm in this moment.
“Granted, I’ve never dealt with a situation like this before, but I didn’t get the impression that one or both of you would have to move on.
In fact, the social worker sounded more than happy to meet with you. ”
The tightness in Emma’s chest loosened a little. Ellie had a way about her, calm and unflinching, that made Emma believe this may not all collapse after all. She reminded Emma a lot of Vanessa. They had similar personalities. “Will you be there?”
“Yes. And I’ll make sure Vanessa is available, too. You need support as well as Freya. You’ve both had a shock recently.”
“Well, I appreciate it. I really do.” Emma wiped her palms down her thighs and sighed. “I’m just worried they’re going to tell me I’m not allowed to teach her or be in the same room as her, you know?”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“She’s a bright kid. Before she told me she was my sister, I was telling Vanessa that she reminded me of myself when I was in school.
Quiet, but academic and with her head screwed on.
She was out of the situation at home much earlier than I was, but part of me is glad about that. The rest of me just wishes I’d known.”
“Any idea why you didn’t know?” Ellie tilted her head. “It’s a pretty big secret for anyone to keep.”
“Turns out my parents left the area a while ago now. They’re in Yorkshire. Freya was born there, where they didn’t know anyone, so I guess I was less likely to hear it via whispers and rumours.” Emma scoffed. “The locals never did like my parents…or any of my family for that matter.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not. I never liked my parents either. And now? I just hate them even more. I spent so many years wishing I’d never been their kid.” She winced, immediately catching herself. “Sorry. That was inappropriate and insensitive.”
Ellie’s gaze didn’t waver. “My personal life and my job are separate, Emma. You’re also entitled to feel the way you do.”
“I know, but still…” Emma stood, needing to shift the weight from her shoulders. “Would you let me know when they want to see me? I’m happy to meet with Freya’s social worker as soon as possible, really. I’d rather know what our fate is than sit around wondering.”
“Of course. I’ll drop you an email as soon as I’ve spoken to them.”
“Thanks, Ellie.” Emma turned, reaching for the door, then hesitated. She glanced back over her shoulder, hoping Ellie wouldn’t dismiss her because of what she was about to say. “You doing okay and that?”
“I’m okay. Life moves on, and I have no choice but to move on with it.”
Emma regarded her with a genuine smile. “You know where me and Vanessa are if you ever want to drink wine or coffee or whatever.”
“And the same goes for you.” Ellie powered up her computer, her expression measured but kind. Emma saw the cracks now and then, but she knew how Ellie felt about discussing her personal life around school. “Don’t let this linger in your mind. We’ll all figure it out between us.”
“I won’t.” Emma wasn’t sure she could keep to her word, but she would try to remain calm about what was to come. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Emma stepped out of Ellie’s office and closed the door. Thankful to be alone in the corridor, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She had work to do and kids to teach, and then she would discuss today with her wife.
You have people in your corner. That’s what matters.