I get a call from the sports hall to tell me that Georgia has had some kind of episode while running, and would I get up there straightaway. I don’t hesitate, breaking into a run as I fly through the corridors and up the hill. Sadly my fitness is gravely lacking in comparison to my daughter’s and I have to slow down towards the top. By the time I reach Mrs Sawyer I can hardly speak.
‘Where is she?’ I gasp.
‘Lily is helping her in the shower.’
‘I’ll take her home. I knew it was a bad idea for her to come in today.’
I am so agitated I can’t stand still. My head is throbbing; my face burns. It’s fortunate for Callum that he isn’t here right now. If he were, I would give him what for. Perhaps if he had backed me up we could have avoided this.
Mrs Sawyer has children of a similar age. ‘Sometimes there’s not much you can do to stop them,’ she says kindly. I attempt a grateful smile, but only manage a grimace.
I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, and head into the girls’ change rooms. Lily is waiting outside a shower cubicle. As soon as she sees me she hands Georgia’s towel over and grabs her clothes, making a discreet exit into another area.
I can hear the shower running. ‘Georgia,’ I say, with all the gentleness I can muster. ‘I’ve come to take you home.’
Georgia’s hand appears around the curtain. ‘Can you hand me the towel?’
I press the thick cloth into her hands and wait. The shower stops, and nothing happens for a minute or so, then Georgia opens the curtain with the towel wrapped around her. Her face is blotchy and red, though she won’t lift it to look at me.
‘Oh, Georgie.’ I pull her against me, oblivious as to whether she is still wet. She begins to sob against my shirt, and at such a despairing sound it is all I can do not to break down with her. ‘Let’s get you out of here,’ I say, and lead her over to her clothes. ‘These are yours, yes? Come on, once we’re in the car you can tell me exactly what you want to do. It can be anything you like. I could take you home, or to the hospital to see Sophia? I can wrap you up on the sofa or leave you alone in your room. I’m here, Georgie, so let me help you, okay?’
And to my relief, my daughter nods.
I sit on one of the long benches in the change rooms and wait while she finishes getting dressed. So she doesn’t think I’m crowding her, I take out my phone and text Callum to see if he’s home yet, and to find out what news there is on Sophia.
‘I need to get my bag,’ I tell Georgia when she is ready, and we set off towards the school. A thought occurs to me and I stop in my tracks. ‘Oh, shit-shit-shit.’
‘What?’ Georgia looks alarmed.
I sigh. ‘Never mind, it’s just I didn’t bring the car this morning, so we’ll have to walk. Unless I call a taxi?’
‘No, it’s okay, I don’t mind walking.’
We reach my office and I collect my bag. I begin to lock up, and then realise that Danny will need the room when the police arrive. I undo the lock again, praying Georgia won’t notice. I don’t want to explain this to her now. I needn’t have worried – when I turn around she’s staring down the corridor, her mind elsewhere.
The school is disconcertingly quiet as we leave, the students all in classes. We trudge back up the hill towards the woodland path, which is the quickest route home. The rain has stopped for the time being. Georgia stoops a little from the weight of her backpack, walking with her arms wrapped around herself, staying close to my side. I try to take her bag – ‘Here, let me’ – but she shakes her head.
We are silent for a little while once we’ve entered the woods. The ground is soggy thanks to the morning downpours, but the rain has freshened the earthy scents and the sheen of water makes everything brighter. The birds have also come out to call to one another after the deluge, and don’t stop chattering as we trudge by.
I have to try to reach Georgia somehow, and there might not be a better time than this. ‘Do you still go this way on your morning runs?’ I ask casually.
‘Not so much – I often go on the road now.’
‘Oh, why’s that?’
She shrugs. ‘I just fancied a change.’
‘You haven’t been running with the club much recently?’
‘No.’
‘But you feel okay about the race tomorrow?’
She looks wary. ‘Are you going to try to talk me out of it?’
‘No.’ I answer too hastily, keen to keep her on side. Of course I’m going to try to talk her out of it. Later.
I know I will have a far better chance of success if I can get Callum to back me up, but I want to make sure he knows how stupid it was to let Georgia go to school today. Can I still yell at him if I need to persuade him to help me too?