Page 119 of The Headmaster’s Rule

I turn to Danny suddenly. “My class,” I say hoarsely, motioning to the door with a limp hand. “They’ll be waiting for me…”

“I’ve covered you for first period,” Danny says, softening. Like he knows the shit is about to hit the fan and feels bad for me. Actually, he looks almost sad. Is he sad to see me go? Or sad that I’ve let him down so badly? That I drove Theo from the school?

Before I can follow that train of thought any further, Helen folds her hands on the table, assessing me for a long moment. I squirm in my seat, an apology on the tip of my tongue. But what good would it do, really?

At last, she draws breath. “You’ve had quite a weekend, I imagine.” There’s a glint of something in her eye, and I wait for her to say the words. I’m completely unprepared when she says, “But I want to be clear, we’re very impressed with Safe Harbor.”

I blink. This time the apology does slip out, but it comes as a question: “Sorry?”

“I think Mr. Wright may have undersold it when he pitched it to the board in September,” she continues.

Why is she talking about Safe Harbor? I glance at Danny, but he looks as flummoxed as I feel.

“We’re blown away by the community support,” Helen says. “By the money raised. It has far exceeded our expectations. You’ve made a mark on this school, Miss Hart.”

I stare at her, pulse thrumming, waiting for the catch. The, “Unfortunately…”

But it doesn’t come. She simply gazes at me, her eyes warm.

Eventually, my silence becomes awkward.

I clear my throat, choking out, “Thank you.”

Helen smiles, as if sensing my uncertainty. “I wanted to let you know you have the board’s complete backing to roll out the Safe Harbor program during the rest of the academic year. We hope you will continue to lead this initiative.”

My lips part in surprise as I digest this. So they’re not firing me? They’re asking me to stick around. More than that, they’re extending their initial promise of running Safe Harbor as a pilot over one semester. They want to run it over the year. That means I’ll get to do everything I imagined; the Ripple Weeks, the garden, the summer camp. It’s all going to happen.

I glance at Danny, overwhelmed. How can this be happening after everything?

He chuckles, looking relieved. “I think she’s in shock,” he murmurs, and Helen gives a light, controlled laugh.

That’s putting it mildly.

But my mind drifts to Theo, to what Danny just told me. This doesn’t make any sense.

“So… I’m not in trouble?” I ask at length. I’m dreading her answer, but I have to know.

“Not at all,” Helen assures me. “Quite the opposite, actually. We appreciate everything you’ve contributed. That’s why we wanted to check in with you personally.”

I let out a long, slow breath, waiting for the relief to come, but it’s just out of reach.

Helen picks up her purse, making to stand. “Please ensure you communicate openly with the board as Safe Harbor unfolds,” she says. “There may be some… challenges ahead”—here she drops her gaze—“but we believe in you and your leadership.”

Danny nods as he stands too. “We’re all behind Eleanor and this program.”

“And so you should be.” Helen extends her hand again, and I spring to my feet, taking it. “We’re counting on you, Eleanor. You’re exactly who this school needs right now.”

Then she leaves the room, a trail of Chanel No. 5 in her wake. I stand there for a moment, trying to make sense of this.

“Nora?” Danny asks quietly, and I glance at him. Before I can speak, he adds, “If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.” Then he slips away too, leaving me with my racing thoughts.

Safe Harbor has been greenlit for the entire year. That’s a phenomenal win.

So why doesn’t it feel like it?

I head for the corridor, needing to see Theo. Did he tell them? Did they force him out? If they know, why aren’t they saying anything? Unless… maybe he resigned without telling them why? Maybe he didn’t even mention me at all.

My head throbs as I approach Theo’s office, but his door is open. Margaret glances up, looking apologetic.