“We weren’t drunk.”
“He was drugged on illegal co-codamol.”
“He told you that?”
She burst out laughing. “Trust me, Noah Fairweather. I’ll be your ally. I’ll call you…” She lowered her voice. “I’ll call you the fuck out on anything I don’t like. Trust me.”
“Oh, I will. And I need all the insider info I can get.”
She banged her fist against the panel. Knocked hard. Nodded her head.
“Top tip? Jones will clamp your car just out of spite. You’ve parked it in the flowerbed, dude. I’d move it before Mr Carruthers gets wind that you’ve killed his heathers.”
“Fuck.”
“No foul language in earshot of the boys. Seriously. Language control at all times.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Don’t fucking call me miss in front of the boys.”
“Yes. Ms Blessing. Emma.”
“Good. You’re a fast learner.”
I nodded.
“Also? The medical practice in Connel has a maternity cover coming up. My sister is a community nurse up there and has kept her eyes and earsopen. I would ring them today and just give them…you know. Tell them Louise Blessing sent you.” She winked.
I smiled.
“Now, go move your car before you start off on the wrong foot with everyone. You can park behind the teachers’ accommodation block. The speed limit is like zero. Do not run over the chickens. Seriously.”
“I won’t.”
I followed her out, car keys in my hand, only to be greeted with, “Mr Fairweather!”by a bunch of passing boys. And a handshake from someone who introduced himself as the head of Geography.
Names. I had to learn all these names. Also? My shoddy tracksuit was out of place, and I was, for once, grateful that I owned a large assortment of dreary suits. Matching ties. Shirts. I needed to get changed and fit in. That was clear.
I carried in my loads, one after the other. Carefully placing the colourful vase in the bay window. It looked amazing, the light through the crackled windowpanes almost giving it a magical glow. Like it was made to sit in that window. It had never been made to hide in a cupboard. Like me. I felt like I was finally coming to life. Being who I was meant to be.
Me. Noah Fairweather. Fox Riley’s man. Maybe even…Bailey’s…something.
And here was Fox, silently flowing into the room in his robes, a smile on his face.
“You alright, Mr Fairweather?”
“Absolutely, Headmaster Riley,” I quipped. “My favourite vase. Is it alright there?”
“It looks great. I love it.”
Then he kissed me. Right there in the middle of the room.
“Welcome home,” he whispered.
And all I could do was smile.
Chapter 28 Epilogue
