Chapter 37
Isabelle
I take a deep breath. I know what I have to do.
Daniel’s going down, whether he’s guilty of lodging the complaint or not, and I need to gather enough complaints for him to be suspended. I just need to know where he worked before. James has said he has a history, and I’ve seen enough of his shit to know he’s a lifelong member of the asshole club.
I knock and wait for a response.
“Come in,” Rebecca’s sharp tone replies. My stomach flops over on itself with nerves.
I open her office door and walk slowly toward her desk, anxiety continuing to build in my stomach. Rebecca shouldn’t give me this information, but I know she’s on our side. Once I tell her what happened with James in the pub last night, I hope she leans more toward helping us.
Yes, Miss
Amy called last night, her voice clearly letting slip that something had happened. When she finally passed the phone to James, and he told me what Daniel had done, I felt sick.
This shit has to stop. And it stops now.
The light from her office window streams in over her desk, highlighting the framed photo of her late husband. They’re on holiday somewhere sunny, with the beach in the background and a floppy sunhat on her head, while they look with relaxed, happy gazes at the camera.
“Isabelle, how can I help? Are you both coping okay?” Her voice has softened, and she gestures to the seat in front of her.
I take my seat and steady my breathing. I have to go softly with this despite my anger buzzing away inside me like a hornet’s nest.
“He’s coping. Devastated, as you can imagine,” I offer. “Especially after his run-in last night…” I leave it hanging, hoping she’ll take the bait.
“Last night? What happened?” Her brows crease in concern as she leans forward, elbows on her desk.
“Ah, well…” I clear my throat. “He had a run-in with Daniel at the pub. Daniel started verbally abusing him. Jen had to step in to stop him. It was… it was devastating,” I trail off, hoping to have the impact I’m aiming for.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
“Oh, Isabelle, I’m so sorry. That’s despicable behaviour.”
“Surely there’s something that can be done, Rebecca. He shouldn’t be allowed to harass James like that. It’s unprofessional,” I plead.
Rebecca sits back and sighs. “Unless a police complaint is filed or it happens at work, my hands are tied.” She looks out the window, a thoughtful look passing her face.
“You know, Isabelle, I’ve known James since I took the head teacher position just after you left.
If he had been with you, which I know he wasn’t,” she says pointedly, “he would have been much happier since his divorce. He’s been in limbo, floating along, existing, until you waltzed in on your first day, like the force majeure that you are. ”
I shuffle in my seat, questioning where this is going.
“I don’t want to see him knocked down because of this, and quite frankly, if I could get Daniel off my staff, I would.
But I have no grounds to. He’s been successfully moved on from school to school, leaving a trail of very unhappy people in his wake.
” She taps her pen against her lips and smiles.
“No one’s put in formal complaints about him that would warrant investigation… ” She side-eyes me and smirks.
"If they did and were to come forward, along with mine and Jen’s complaints, it would certainly become a
Yes, Miss
disciplinary investigation, surely..." I smile, happy she’s on the same wavelength as me.
"It’s just a shame I don’t know anyone at Rippingsworth College that could give background information...” She pauses, looking right at me. “For example, their biology teacher." She winks at me, rising slowly from her chair. "Alas, first period is about to start, children to teach and all that."
I stand and approach her desk, holding out my hand to thank her. This could be the turning point we need to clear his name.
"Oh, don’t be daft!" she says, swatting my hand away and pulling me in for a hug.
Her soft floral perfume gives a warm, comforting feel, steadying my nerves like a hug from a mother.
"And as for the person who lodged the complaint, I couldn’t possibly disclose that.
However, he may want to look closer to his former home for that name.
" She gives a quick squeeze and stands back.
Shit. My blood runs cold.
Laura.
That vicious cow just can’t let go. How can she do this to a man she once professed her love for and married? A teacher herself who knows exactly what this could do to him.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
That bitch is the one who put the complaint in! But how does she know about me and James in the first place? She seemed to know before she accosted us outside the club, but how? I don’t think James would have told her; he wants nothing to do with her. I am sure as shit going to find out, though.
I walk out of the office, straight to the sports block to hunt down Jen and let her know what I’ve found out to make a plan.
But first, I have a call to make. I reach for my phone, finding an empty classroom, and press the green phone icon, my heart hammering away as I sit on the edge of a desk and play with the hem of my skirt.
“Hi, baby. I miss you,” James’ soft voice answers, and my whole body settles.
“I’ll be over tomorrow. I miss you too. Jen and I have a plan.
” I do my best to steady my voice, but in this moment, there’s nothing more I want than to be in his arms, listening to his heart beating beneath me.
I take a deep breath, preparing to tell him what Rebecca had told me, and I’m not sure how he’ll take it.
“James, as much as we’re going to bring Daniel down, it wasn’t him who made the complaint.” I pause as he stays silent.
Yes, Miss
“It was Laura, wasn't it?” He sighs out, and my heart breaks; he sounds like a broken man. “Why won’t she let me live my life, Iz?”
“Because she is a bitter, jealous bitch, James. She fucked up leaving you, and she knows it.” My pulse quickens as I feel the need to defend him and go for the jugular with her.
“I don’t want this to cause you any issues.
This is my mess. You shouldn’t have to go through this because of me,” his voice rises, a tinge of anger coming through, something I’ve never heard before.
The hairs rise on the nape of my neck, shivers running through me.
He’s passionate, but angry James is sexy as fuck.
“James, I’m good. It’s ok. We’ve done nothing wrong, and they will see this. Just remember, we do this together.”
I hear his breathing steady out, and we sit in silence for a few more moments before he says, “I want to hold you, Iz. Please stay with me tonight. I need you next to me. I don’t ever want to be without you.
Having you with me settles me to my very core; you’re my peace, my hope…
” He takes a deep breath in and continues, “Iz, you’re my fucking everything. ”
“You’re mine too. Nothing is too much for you, James; you deserve someone to fight for you. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you tonight, I promise.”
Alexandra Ravensbrook
We hang up the call, and I set off in search of Jen.