Night School

‘And you, Sylvain, never do.’ Carter’s voice was laced with contempt as he shoved past Sylvain and stalked away towards the school.

With concern in his eyes, Sylvain turned to Allie. ‘Did something happen? You look upset.’

‘It was nothing,’ Allie said as Carter disappeared around a bend. ‘He’s just a bit of a tosser, isn’t he?’

‘I think that describes him perfectly.’ When Sylvain smiled his eyes were cat-like. ‘So how was detention? Awful?’

‘It wasn’t too bad. Just one blister.’ She held up her right hand, where a white bump had formed on her palm at the base of her ring finger.

‘Tragic.’ He lifted her hand up to his lips and lightly kissed it. Allie shivered. Goosebumps again. ‘I have decided you should never do manual labour,’ he said. ‘It’s not your style. You should have servants feeding you, while you wear silk …’

The absurdity of the idea made her laugh. ‘Yeah, they could peel me grapes while I count my diamonds …’

‘You joke, but it could happen.’ He still held her hand, and now he pulled her with him down the path. ‘Regretfully, this is not merely a social call. I have come for you at the request of Isabelle. She would like to see you.’

Allie’s stomach muscles tightened. She wasn’t really surprised that the headmistress would want to see her, given that she’d already been given detention. But she was so hoping not to be in serious trouble for a change.

‘OK,’ she said. ‘I guess that’s not a surprise.’

As they walked she turned to look at him. ‘About last night …’

‘Ah yes,’ he said. ‘The brutal attack in the garden.’

His tone was teasing but Allie was serious. ‘Who was that? I heard footsteps, and, like, a dog or something.’

‘I think the footsteps you heard were probably Gabe and me,’ Sylvain said. ‘And what you thought was a dog was probably a fox.’

‘A fox that growls?’ Allie asked dubiously.

‘It could have been trapped in one of the sheds and distressed,’ Sylvain shrugged. ‘It is not unusual.’

Allie studied his face closely. ‘Carter said he thought it was some boys making fun of me.’

Sylvain frowned. ‘That is ridiculous. I would know if that had happened. It is bizarre to me that he would say such a thing.’

For some reason, Allie was relieved to hear him say that. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘That’s what I thought, too.’

As the path reached the school’s grassy lawn, Allie had a thought. ‘Why did Isabelle send you to get me rather than one of the junior students?’ she asked.

‘Oh, I was at a prefect meeting and we were chatting,’ he said. ‘It’s not unusual. She knows we are … friends.’

She glanced at him in surprise. ‘I didn’t know you were a prefect.’

‘Didn’t you?’ he said, pulling her closer. ‘Well now that you know, you must do everything I say. Because I am the boss.’

Laughing, she pulled free of him. ‘Oh is that how it works? Well, we’ll have to see about that.’

She ran ahead with Sylvain on her heels, and when he caught her at the door she was helpless with laughter. But as she reached for the handle the door swung open and Zelazny stepped out.

Allie’s giggles evaporated.

‘Miss Sheridan.’ It might have been Saturday but the history teacher still wore a suit and tie, and his voice oozed disapproval. ‘I’m gratified to see that you are taking your morning of detention so seriously.’

I’ve been arrested by less grumpy men, Allie thought.

But before she could speak, Sylvain stepped in front of her. ‘It is my fault, Mr Zelazny. I have been trying to cheer Allie up because she was so sad when I found her on the path after her difficult morning of detention. Please do not judge her for my actions.’

Zelazny marched past them. ‘Detention she richly deserved,’ he muttered.

‘Of course,’ Sylvain said, smoothly steering Allie through the entry hall as she struggled not to laugh out loud.

When they were out of earshot Allie doubled over with laughter, but Sylvain shushed her. ‘Not here, ma belle Allie,’ he whispered. ‘His hearing is exceptional.’

She covered her mouth with her hands, stifling her own giggles.

‘I do not want to see you trapped in detention for an entire week,’ Sylvain said. ‘August is very … sensitive.’

‘August?’ she asked.

‘Mr Zelazny. That is his first name.’

‘Oh.’

‘And now,’ he said, ‘I must leave you. Isabelle will be waiting in the first classroom on the right. Good luck.’

Bending over he kissed her hand.

Allie wasn’t quite sure how to respond.

‘Bye!’ she said too brightly, before hurrying into the silent and empty classroom wing.

The first door on the right was closed, and Allie knocked lightly.

‘Come in.’ The headmistress’ distinctive voice answered immediately.

Inside, Allie found Isabelle sitting at the desk, surrounded by stacks of papers. A laptop was open beside her and she closed it before Allie could see anything on the screen, but she looked at its top longingly.