Night School

‘You really were hungry,’ Carter observed, amused.

‘My brother always says I eat like a boy …’ Allie said without thinking, and her smile faded as suddenly as it arrived. She never talked about Christopher.

The low hum of conversation in the room gradually increased as rumours spread about the impending announcement, and Allie was relieved that things felt, if only momentarily, slightly more normal. But as she glanced around the table she noticed that Jo looked wan and worried as she picked at her food. Before she could say anything to her, a voice spoke from the front of the room.

‘Can I have your attention, please?’

Dressed neatly in pressed black trousers and a pale blue cardigan, Isabelle stood still until the room quieted. The man she’d been dancing with the night before stood a few feet behind her, his hands folded in a position of calm. His alert eyes seemed to miss nothing. Then Allie felt her heart pound – Sylvain walked through the door and stood nearby, as if he were part of a triumvirate.

What’s he doing?

Isabelle’s face was sombre, but Allie marvelled at how normal she looked.

‘I know many of you were up all night, and I appreciate how tired you are. We are all so grateful for your efforts in putting out the fire.’

Allie glanced over at Carter and saw that he was watching Isabelle with a slight frown.

‘What happened last night was unprecedented in the history of Cimmeria,’ Isabelle continued. ‘It is disturbing and will require considerable work on our part to set right. The fire alone has damaged ancient walls. Bits of our history are gone for ever. But we will restore this school, have no doubt, and it will continue as it has always done.’

Faltering applause from the students seemed to take her by surprise, and she waited for it to fade to silence.

‘I am very sorry the events of last night occurred. It was upsetting for all of us. Our hearts go out to those of you who were close to Ruth Jansen – she was a lovely, if disturbed girl, and we will all miss her terribly. Her suicide came as a horrible shock.’

Allie gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Suicide? What is she talking about?

‘We know that some of you might have problems dealing with her death, we are all – the teachers and myself – ready to help at any time if you need counselling or just someone to listen.’ Isabelle’s eyes were suffused with understanding. ‘You don’t have to suffer alone.’

A murmur swept across the room and Allie noticed that some students were weeping. Turning to catch Jo’s eye, she saw that she was biting her lip and trying not to cry – Gabe had his arm around her.

‘A memorial service will be held at the chapel next week. I’m sure those of you who knew her well will want to attend.’

After waiting a moment for all of that information to be absorbed, Isabelle continued in a brisker manner. ‘Some students injured in the fire will be leaving us tomorrow to recuperate at home, and we wish them all the best. We hope to see you all back in the autumn term. For those of you remaining – the work to repair the damage done by the fire should take about a month, and I fear there will be some disruption in the meantime – it’s annoying but necessary. The great hall is, of course, off limits for now.

She took a step back. ‘For your safety, curfew is early tonight – we’d like everyone to be in their rooms by nine o’clock – and you are all to remain indoors at all times for at least the next forty-eight hours.’

As soon as she finished speaking, the teachers clustered around her and the students began trooping towards the door in a low rumble of hushed conversation.

Spinning around to face Carter, Allie whispered, ‘What the hell …?’

Tight-lipped, he shook his head.

Looking up towards Isabelle, Allie stood up. ‘I need to find out when we can see Lisa. I’ll catch up.’

Carter grabbed her arm, his eyes contained a warning. ‘Allie …’

‘I can handle it,’ she said, shaking off his hand. ‘I promise I won’t freak out. I really want to know about Lisa.’

‘I’ll find you after,’ Carter said, hurrying after Gabe and Lucas.

Standing at the edge of the group of teachers, Allie waited for a break in their conversation. They were clearly agitated, but they were whispering so quietly she could only make out a phrase here and there.

‘Too dangerous …’

‘Send them home!’ (Said with great force by Jerry, who was shushed.)

‘… about Nathaniel.’

Then Eloise noticed her. ‘Can we help you, Allie?’

Everyone fell silent as they all turned to look at her. Allie crossed one ankle behind the other in an unconscious gesture of nervousness.

‘I was just wondering if we can see Lisa?’