Night School: Legacy

Sylvain looked at Allie and she took the lead, explaining what Mr Patel had told them.

‘I know this already, Allie,’ Isabelle interrupted her, sounding tired and a bit snappish. ‘I wouldn’t let him go if I didn’t think it was safe. He’s leaving us some of his best people – very highly skilled – and he’s sending in some associates of his to help as well.’

‘But …’ Her reaction caught Allie off guard. She’d expected at least some sympathy; a smidgen of concern. ‘What about the ball? And Lucinda?’

‘I think Allie has a point,’ Sylvain interjected. ‘This is not an ideal time for him to go.’

‘Look, both of you,’ Isabelle said in her most soothing tone, ‘as important as we are, we are not as important as the prime minister. So I cannot ask Raj to stay when he’s been called in for something like this. But I promise you we will not have less security while he’s away. We will have more. We’ve planned for this. His people will be everywhere – inside and out. All of them highly trained, very skilled. If I thought it mattered that Raj wasn’t going to be here to oversee this personally I would never have agreed to him going. I genuinely don’t think it does. I think we will be safe.’ She turned her gaze to Allie. ‘You will be safe.’

Her words were comforting, and Allie nodded to show she understood. But every instinct she had told her to be afraid.


After the meeting, Allie walked out with Sylvain into the now silent hallway. In the quiet, their trainers made a sticky sound on the polished floor. Somewhere in the building a door closed too loudly.

The heat was off, and the air felt cold and heavy – as if it were waiting for something to happen.

‘Sylvain …’

‘Allie …’

They both spoke at the same time.

Stopping at the foot of the grand staircase they laughed awkwardly, their voices echoing.

‘You first.’ Shivering, she wrapped her arms around her torso for warmth.

‘I think Isabelle is probably right,’ he said. But something about the way his eyes searched her face told her this wasn’t what he’d wanted to say. ‘Everything will be fine.’

‘Of course,’ she said, not meaning it. ‘I’m sure she’s right.’

‘We can still talk to Raj or Zelazny if you’re worried?’ he continued, and she shook her head.

‘No, it’s fine. Isabelle made sense.’

Dropping her gaze to her feet, she thought about all the things she wanted to tell him. To explain about Truth or Dare. How torn she felt. How she couldn’t bear to hurt Carter and yet …

Against her will, her eyes darted up to meet his.

And yet.

For a long moment they looked at each other; the moment seemed frozen in time. Allie was steeling herself to speak when they heard footsteps. Turning, Allie saw Jerry Cole walking towards them.

‘What are you two still doing out?’ he said, his tone sharp. ‘You know The Rules. Allie, aren’t you in enough trouble already?’

Instantly, she took a step towards the staircase. Jerry was usually the most laid-back of the teachers so his anger caught her off guard. A puzzled frown crossed Sylvain’s face before he smoothed it away. ‘Sorry, Jerry. We were just going.’

But Jerry’s reply startled them both. ‘Do it quicker.’

The science teacher stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching as they walked up side by side.

‘What’s wrong with him?’ Allie whispered without looking at Sylvain.

His reply was equally stealthy. ‘Not sure.’ At the landing they glanced back – Jerry was still there.

As they separated to head to their respective dorms, Sylvain caught her eye, arching one expressive eyebrow; she responded with a tiny bewildered shrug.

They both nearly smiled.


Amid all that was happening, Allie still worried about Jo. Two weeks after Truth or Dare she was keeping Allie at arm’s length, and the schism left Allie feeling lonelier than ever. She was determined to fix it – not just for herself but for Jo.

Much as the idea of the ball frightened Allie, she imagined it must be worse for Jo.

So she decided to do something about it. After supper the next day, she tracked Jo down in the library where she studied alone at a table, her short blonde hair backlit into a halo by the glow from the brass desk lamp.

‘Hey,’ Allie whispered to a student nearby, ‘can I borrow a piece of paper?’

Looking thrilled that she’d spoken to him, he handed her a sheet.

‘And a pen.’ Allie gestured impatiently.

Without a hint of hesitation he handed her the one he was using and waited as she scrawled out a quick note.


J

Come and talk to me outside. PLEASE. I miss you.

I’m sorry.

Ax



‘Thanks,’ she told the star-struck student, handing him back his pen. ‘Do me a favour. Go and hand this note to that girl.’

As she pointed at Jo he leapt to his feet so quickly he nearly knocked his chair over.

‘Steady.’ Allie arched one eyebrow. ‘Nobody needs to get hurt here.’