Night School

The kettle rumbled to life as Isabelle rummaged about for an extra cup, then made sure it was clean. When it was ready, the headmistress handed her a cup, carefully turning the handle so that she wouldn’t burn herself, then sank down in a chair next to her.

‘That’s better.’ She sipped her tea reflectively, then focused her gaze on Allie. ‘There is nothing wrong in the world that isn’t made better by a good cup of tea. Thank you for coming, Allie. I don’t want to take you away from your studies for too long. But with the term ending on Friday, I wanted to spend some time with you to find out how you are. You’ve now been with us for six weeks so you’ve had time to settle in. I know this has been an unusual term and I wondered if you wanted to talk about anything.’

For a moment, Allie was speechless.

Is she joking?

Isabelle was looking at her expectantly, and she knew she had to say something.

What should I say? ‘Well, the murder was a little upsetting, and the fire did worry me a bit. I was nearly date-raped and my ex best friend is crazy. But, hey, at least I’m getting an A in History’?

‘OK …’ she said, cautiously.

She tried to think of something less sarcastic to say, but her head was full of things she couldn’t talk about – things she wasn’t supposed to know. And she knew Isabelle wasn’t interested in how she was doing in biology, or why she was late with her essay last week.

As her silence stretched on, Isabelle raised an eyebrow and offered her a lifeline. ‘You haven’t had a panic attack in a while, I hear. I think that’s progress.’

Until that moment, Allie hadn’t noticed the stretch of time since her last attack. But it had been more than two weeks. And, actually, now that she thought about it, she hadn’t been counting things much either.

‘That’s true,’ she admitted. ‘I guess I’m not … freaking out as much as I used to.’

Isabelle smiled. ‘Well, things have been stressful here, but it seems to me you’re handling stress better now. And I’m pleased to see that.’ She set down her tea. ‘Now, you and Jo …’

Allie winced. This was not a conversation she wanted to have.

‘I’ve noticed that you’re less close than you were, why is that?’

Hesitantly, Allie told her in basic terms what had happened. Dismayed, Isabelle closed her golden-brown eyes as she listened.

‘I’ll speak with Jo,’ she said when Allie’d finished. ‘She is going through a difficult time too. So you may have to be patient with her. But I know your friendship is important to her.’

‘Was important,’ Allie muttered, emphasising the first word.

‘And will be again,’ Isabelle said with confidence. ‘If you’re patient.’

She set down her teacup. ‘Katie’s little campaign is another issue I’m dealing with. I know Jules has talked to you – and I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to before now. I’ve been so busy. But I want you to know Jules has been updating me about this every single day, and she has been fighting your corner with Katie.

‘You have been remarkably patient in dealing with her but I think we’re at the point where I will have to consider suspending her if she doesn’t stop,’ Isabelle said. ‘She knows The Rules perfectly well, as do her parents. I’ve written to them about this and they have not responded. So I’m giving her a final warning today. I very much appreciate your restraint.’

‘Be careful!’ Allie spoke before she could stop herself.

The headmistress looked at her curiously; Allie’s voice faltered. ‘I mean … Aren’t her parents on the board? I think they’re super-powerful; she’s always bragging about it. They’d be … you know. Bad enemies … I think. If they’re like her.’

Isabelle leaned forward. ‘You’re very sweet to worry about me, Allie. Don’t worry – I’ll be careful.’

Moving onto safer ground, they talked for a few minutes about her classwork. Isabelle praised her dedication and pointed out that all of her grades had steadily improved. Even Zelazny had praised her essay on the Civil War.

‘So, actually, my only concern is what happens now,’ she said finally.

‘What do you mean?’ Allie asked, puzzled.

‘During the time you’ve been here I’ve spoken to your mother many times. She’s worried about you. They both miss you.’

Immediately tears burned Allie’s eyes, and she fought them back. She was surprised how much this hurt. She’d avoided contacting her parents because she was so angry at them. But she didn’t know why they hadn’t got in touch with her.

At the same time, she felt betrayed by what she’d found in her student file. Isabelle knew her mother well and had never told her. If her parents had betrayed her by not telling her the truth, hadn’t Isabelle betrayed her too? In fact, hadn’t they all lied?

Maybe now was time for truth telling.

‘Do you know my parents well?’ Allie asked.

Isabelle’s expression changed instantly. She physically tensed.