‘Look at me, Holly.’ My face trembles with anger. ‘Do not go to Teri’s house. I forbid it.’
She hesitates, and I thank God that I still have a sliver of authority.
Her mouth turns down. ‘Why do you care? You’re leaving me.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not leaving you.’
She narrows her eyes at me. ‘You’re lying. She told me. You’ve been looking for jobs.’
‘She’s trying to drive a wedge between us, Holly. Please don’t let her!’
‘Why would she do that?’
‘Because she’s not a nice person. You have no idea what she’s like. You don’t know who she really is.’
‘She is a nice person!’ she shouts. ‘She’s my friend!’
‘Holly! That’s enough!’ I shout back, grabbing her arm and shaking it. ‘I said no! Do you understand me? You cannot go to her house, ever. Do I make myself clear? Go to your room. Do your homework. And take off that makeup!’
She runs up the stairs but stops halfway, turns and curls her top lip at me. ‘You know, you sound just like my dad.’
34
I tried to speak to Holly, to explain, but she wouldn’t even let me inside her bedroom. I was desperate to tell her, ‘She’s not your friend. She’s your dad’s lover. She’s blackmailing me. She wants me to leave, but I’m not going anywhere.’
But I never got the chance. I brought up a sandwich and hot chocolate. It was still there this morning when I woke up.
Meanwhile, I kept expecting Teri to bang on the door, demanding to be paid her ten thousand pounds, so every little sound, every creak made me jump. At the same time, a part of me wished that she would turn up, so I could scream into her face that she had no right to tell Diana Ashford-Wells. In my fantasy, her guilty expression gives her away so Holly could see it for herself. I would shout at Teri that she’s a sick, horrid human being and if she ever came near us, I would… I don’t know. That’s the part where my fantasy falters. I don’t know how it ends, because she still holds all the cards.
But anyway, Teri didn’t show up demanding her cash – probably because she wouldn’t want to reveal herself for the evil con artist that she is in front of Holly.
At ten past eight, I walk into Mike’s office, my stomach twisted into a pretzel.
‘Come in, Kate,’ he says, and indicates the chair. But, as with Mel yesterday, Mike is a little on the cool side.
‘Mel called me last night. I want to assure you that I am appalled by what Mrs Ashford-Wells posted.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Mel says you deny sending the email Mrs Ashford-Wells refers to.’
Deny. He makes it sound so formal. ‘That’s right.’
‘So…is there any truth to what she’s claiming?’
‘Not exactly.’
He nods, his eyes narrowed. ‘Are you leaving, Kate? Because?—’
I open my mouth to speak, but he stops me with a raised hand.
‘Because this is your first teaching position, I believe.’
I nod.
‘We gave you a chance. You had no references and no experience, but we liked you, we liked your attitude and your enthusiasm, and we gave you a chance. I understand life happens, but to leave now would be extremely inconvenient. Also, you’re in the middle of your qualifying period. It wouldn’t be wise to resign at this time. For your career, I mean.’
‘I know.’
