Night School: Legacy

Rachel had been talking to Jo and Lucas on the court but now she joined them. ‘How are you feeling?’


‘Seriously, everyone.’ Allie held up her hands. ‘I’m totally fine. Except that I’m asleep and I’ve forgotten the date and the prime minister.’

‘That’s it. I’m calling an ambulance,’ Rachel said mildly, as the first ball of the game flew across the net, glowing like a meteor.

It was entrancing to watch the disembodied, lighted racquets move in the darkness – hitting the star-like ball back and forth across the glittering spider-web net. Occasionally the ball would spin out of reach and the unseen players would laugh or groan. But beautiful as it was, it was freezing, too. And the cold seemed to penetrate to Allie’s bones.

Shivering, she pulled her thin denim jacket tightly around her. ‘It’s so cold.’

‘You should be wearing gloves.’ Rachel looked critically at Allie’s clothes. ‘And a scarf. And … a coat.’

‘Here.’ Sylvain unknotted the scarf from his neck and reached across Nicole to hand it to Allie. ‘Wear this. I am fine without it.’

As Nicole looked up at him with an approving smile, Allie realised they must be together. Like … together together. They were so close to each other. And now that she thought about it, they sat together at dinner almost every day, didn’t they?

The pounding in her head was worsening – it made it hard to think. She considered saying that she wasn’t really cold. Or she didn’t really need it. But she was shivering, so she accepted the scarf and wrapped it around her neck and shoulders.

A wave of his distinctive scent – coffee and spice – enveloped her and she had an instant flash memory of kissing him and breathing in that smell.

She felt dizzy.

‘Thanks.’ She avoided his eyes. ‘I think my parents forgot to pack mine.’

‘Now you must sit closer to me,’ Nicole purred to Sylvain. ‘Because you will turn to ice.’

He moved so that she sat between his legs, leaning back against his torso. He slid his hands inside her coat pockets.

‘There,’ she said. ‘Now I will share my body heat with you.’

He replied in French, and she laughed that tinkling, musical laugh. Like champagne glasses clinking.

Even with the scarf, Allie’s teeth began to chatter. She felt colder than she thought she really should under the circumstances. Cold from the inside out.

Her thoughts whirled. When did they get together? Why didn’t I know? And why do I even care? Maybe I do have brain damage …

The pain in her head seemed to be getting worse – her ears began to ring.

Suddenly Allie decided she’d had enough cold pain and hot French girls for one day, but when she jumped to her feet the ground seemed to rock a bit. As she wobbled unsteadily, the others looked up at her in surprise.

‘I feel a bit funny,’ she said, steadying herself. ‘I think I’ll go inside and have a cup of tea and a brain haemorrhage.’

Sylvain’s face creased with concern. ‘Do you want me to come with you?’

Allie shook her head so hard she nearly lost her balance. She also thought she might throw up. ‘Rachel?’ She turned back to where Rachel had been sitting on the grass but she was already at her side.

‘Let’s go, girlfriend.’ She hooked her arm through Allie’s. ‘I’ll keep you awake, and you can tell me all about the prime minister.’


The nurse greeted Allie like an old friend. ‘What on earth have you done to yourself now?’

At least her injuries last term had been memorable.

After shining bright lights in her eyes, taking her blood pressure and considering her temperature, the nurse told her all she really needed was something to eat and a cup of strong tea, but she told her not to fall asleep, and gave her something for the headache before sending her to the common room.

Later, Allie and Rachel sat on a deep leather sofa in one corner, wrapped in blankets, drinking steaming cups of spiced tea and eating fresh cookies.

‘You should get hit on the head more,’ Rachel said cheerfully. ‘They give you things.’

‘Injuries are brilliant,’ Allie agreed. The pills had kicked in and her head was less painful. As she relaxed in the warmth, she wondered why it had felt so weird seeing Sylvain with Nicole. Yes, she’d forgiven him for what happened the night of the summer ball. She believed he was genuinely sorry, but she didn’t think she’d ever trust him like that again.

So why should I care who he dates?

She didn’t like that she cared.

When Carter rushed in a few minutes later, she jumped to her feet in a guilty rush, wobbling unsteadily.

‘Whoa,’ he said, lowering back down. ‘You’re still a little shaky.’