Chapter Three
Clara
‘Morning, my lovely.’ Clara opened the staffroom door to see Sam. He’d already switched on the urn and had his cup out. If anyone was worse than her for morning coffee, it was him.
‘Hey.’ He looked around, a small smile tugging his lips. ‘How are you this morning?’ He lifted the Little Miss Sunshine mug from the shelf and put it next to his. A pupil had given that mug to her, and it reminded her how important positivity was.
‘I’m a bit better, thanks.’ The ongoing health issues and the impending inspection still unsettled her, but the fact that Sam had somehow unearthed her secret was perhaps even more disturbing.
He was such a nice guy, however, and she trusted him not to say anything.
Having someone she could turn to if she needed was undeniably pleasant.
She had so many friends and close family, but no one she’d ever dared confide in about her feelings for Kerr.
‘Glad to hear it.’ Sam filled up her mug and handed it to her. ‘I hope I didn’t overstep yesterday. I just didn’t want you to be upset… or not even that, because it’s ok to be upset. I just didn’t want you to feel like you had to face it all alone.’
‘That’s because you’re the sweetest man.’ She took her mug and cradled it. ‘And I had a little cry last night, I’m not going to lie. I’ve got a lot on my mind, but that’s it now as far as Kerr’s concerned.’
If she kept telling herself that, she could make it real.
‘Good for you.’ He sipped his coffee and checked his watch. ‘I’m meeting with Isaac in ten minutes about Max Lyndell. Poor Isaac’s at his wit’s end.’
‘Aw, Isaac’s such a sweet darling.’ Being four or five years younger than her, Clara looked on him like a baby brother. He had big puppy dog eyes and the look of a studious pupil more than a teacher sometimes. ‘He really doesn’t like conflict, does he?’
Sam sighed. ‘No, and I can understand that. I don’t either, but you get better at dealing with it as you get older.’
Clara took a sip of coffee to cover her grin.
Sam didn’t need to worry too much about conflict in his classes.
He had such a commanding voice that it drew people in.
Lissa often joked about how he could hypnotise people with it, and she wasn’t wrong.
His classes always seemed well organised but fun, and he rarely complained about discipline issues, which was pretty unheard of.
‘And Max is a particularly difficult student.’ Clara pulled a side pout.
‘Adele wants to talk to me about him today. He’s already on my caseload, but none of the interventions we’ve put in have worked for him.
I’m not sure where to go next. I’d hate to think that if he plays up at the inspection, they’ll blame me for not putting the right support in place. It’s not for lack of trying.’
‘No one will blame you for his behaviour. He’s a bright kid, but not in a bookish way, and he’s got so much attitude.’ Sam shook his head. ‘I think there are things going on at home.’
‘His parents are divorced, and I think that causes a lot of tension.’
‘No doubt. Speaking as a divorcee, I know it’s not easy.’
Clara exhaled softly. ‘He’s not one for opening up about it either.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘I’ve got Isabella Denby and her mum coming in to talk about getting her back to class. Poor thing’s been out for nearly two months now, and her mum’s understandably anxious.’
Sam sighed, crossing his arms. ‘I feel for her, honestly. Losing a parent at a young age… well, I know what that’s like.’
‘Oh, Sam… Did you lose someone?’
‘Yeah.’ He put his cup down and ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair.
‘My dad. When I was in my twenties. Poor Isabella, she’ll be so lost. It’s an impossible feeling to describe.
Kind of like losing your anchor and not knowing where to go.
I had a pretty hard time after that. I think she’s so brave coming back so soon. ’
‘Aw, bless you, my lovely.’ She put her hand on the arm of his jacket. ‘I didn’t realise.’
‘In some ways, it seems like a very long time ago. In other ways, it feels like yesterday.’
She gently squeezed his arm. ‘It’s going to be so hard for both Isabella and her mum, but Isabella’s apparently been in touch with some friends already – small steps.’
‘That’s a good start.’ He moved to the sink and rinsed out his cup. ‘I should go and see if I can find Isaac. Catch you later. Hope you have a good day.’
‘Thanks, Sam. And you too.’ She watched him leave, frowning a little. He was kind of handsome in a strange way… Or not strange as such, just inexplicable. She’d never really thought about it before and wasn’t sure why that thought had popped into her head, or from where.
She rinsed out her mug as the door opened again. Animated voices made her smile.
‘Hey, Polly, and Mirren.’ She turned and waved.
‘Morning.’ Mirren shook off her jacket. ‘Have you ever had an inspection before?’
‘Only once,’ Clara said. ‘When I was a probationer. I’ve kind of blanked it out.’
‘Was it that bad?’ Polly hung up her bag and started tying her long dark hair into a ponytail.
‘It was intense.’
‘I’m really not looking forward to it,’ Mirren said. ‘This will be my first one.’
‘And mine.’ Polly pulled a face.
‘Is Adele in yet, do you know?’ Mirren asked Clara.
‘I haven’t seen her. But I’m just in myself. I’m heading along to my office. If I see her, I’ll tell her you’re looking for her.’
‘I need to see her about Max.’ Mirren pulled a face, and Clara mirrored it.
‘I think half the teachers in the school want to talk about Max.’
‘He’s a little shit.’ Mirren glanced at the door, then lowered her voice.
‘Sorry, not sorry.’ She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
‘You should have heard Kerr laying into him the week before half term. I’ve never known Kerr to lose his shit.
You know how laid back he is, but he went mental in the corridor outside my room, and I’ve never heard that before. ’
‘Oh dear.’ Clara sucked on her lip. ‘What was it about?’
‘I’m not even sure. I could just tell he was mad. Maybe that’s why Max’s parents were on the phone to Adele yesterday.’
‘Maybe.’ Clara lifted her bag. ‘I need to sort his case notes today and see what we can do for him. This has gone too far. I’ll set up a chat with him and see if I can get him to open up.’
‘Good luck with that.’ Mirren gave her a commiserative look.
‘Thank you, my lovelies. I’ll see you later.’
She made her way to her office, saying hi to a few people on the way. Before she focused on Max, she needed to work with Isabella. And she also had to find out what Adele’s take was on the Max situation. And that was just two of the many pupils in the school.
Adele wasn’t in her office, so Clara went into her own and opened up her laptop.
She had an action plan for Isabella to finalise when she came in.
And she really should spruce up the room.
It looked a bit messy, and she didn’t fancy the inspectors seeing it like this.
She got up and filed some papers and tidied the surface of her cupboard.
Maybe she should go through some of these old folders.
All procrastinating, of course, because she was really struggling to see where to go next with Max.
At quarter past nine, Isabella and her mum arrived. Clara heard them chatting with the secretary through her open door and went out to meet them.
‘Good morning.’ Clara approached them with a smile. ‘Please come in. How are you both?’
Mrs Denby gave a little shrug. ‘Coping, but it’s not easy.’
‘Take a seat.’ Clara indicated the chairs.
‘I understand it’s a terribly difficult time for you, but let’s try to make the transition back to school as gentle as we can.
Hopefully, we can make it something positive and not just an added worry.
’ She sat on the soft seat next to Isabella, who had her eyes downcast. ‘How do you feel about it?’
‘I dunno.’
Clara clasped her hands in her lap. ‘Well, we don’t need to rush anything. We can take things at whatever pace feels comfortable. Maybe keep things flexible to begin with and see how it goes.’
Mrs Denby nodded. ‘Maybe… maybe just a couple of classes at first?’ she suggested. ‘I don’t want to overwhelm her, but… I also don’t want her falling behind.’
Clara nodded, glancing at Isabella. ‘That sounds sensible. We can arrange for work at home for a little while too but coming in for a couple of classes would be great. I think it’s important to start seeing friends again, and they’ll want to see you.’
Isabella looked up, glancing briefly at her mum before speaking. ‘I… I think I’d like to go to Miss Ritchie’s class. She’s kind.’ She twisted her fingers together.
‘Of course.’ Clara nodded, and true. Polly was a lovely teacher.
‘And… maybe Mr Addison’s. He’s always nice.’
‘Sensible choice.’
‘But only if… you know… if they don’t mind.’ Isabella gave her a brief glance.
‘They won’t mind,’ Clara said gently. ‘I’ll have a quick word with them to make sure everything’s in place for you.’
Isabella’s shoulders relaxed a little, and she nodded.
‘Thank you, Miss Morgan.’ Mrs Denby reached over to squeeze her daughter’s hand. ‘And thank you for… well, for everything. It’s just been…’
Clara gave her a sympathetic look. ‘One step at a time.’ She glanced between them.
‘And remember, if at any point you need a break, just come and see me. I’ll speak to Miss Ritchie and Mr Addison and let them know that if you need to leave class at any time, then that’s ok.
Just let them know you’re going. We’re here for you, Isabella.
And we want to make this as smooth as possible. ’
All in all, the meeting went pretty well. After Clara showed them out, she checked Adele’s office. But her door was shut, and the meeting sign was up. This was another problem. It was all very well saying you needed to talk about something, but the times never married with when people were free.