Page 21 of Serenity Falls

‘Go on.’

‘Principal Lockhart is coming round at eleven thirty with his daughter, Ellis.’

Sadie pulls a face. ‘Why?’

‘Lockhart wants to give me a guided tour of Serenity.’

‘And, what? I’m supposed to go on a play date with his daughter?’

His pained face answers the question.

‘For fuck’s—’

‘Then he’s offered to take us to lunch at the Serenity Falls Hotel.’

‘Whoop!’

‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of a way to get out of it.’

She shakes her head. ‘It’s fine. I’ll cope.’

She shoves more bacon into her mouth and takes a sip of juice.

Dad glances at his phone. His face looks strained.

‘What?’

He quickly puts the phone down. ‘Nothing. Just, I think there’s a glitch with the security cameras.’

‘Oh. Want me to look at the app?’

‘No, I’ll sort it.’

‘You and tech? Really? Hand it over.’

She reaches for the phone, but he snatches it away. ‘I said I’ll sort it.’

Sadie flinches. Dad rarely raises his voice. Even in school, he had a rep for being laid-back, casual even, in his teaching. That’s why what happened was so out of character. But she doesn’t want to go there again.

‘I’m sorry,’ he says, almost immediately. ‘I didn’t mean to snap.’

‘’S’okay.’

‘No, it’s not. I’m just a bit tired.’

‘Don’t tell me – you didn’t sleep.’

‘Actually, I think I did.’

Sadie stares at him in shock. ‘Whoah – that’s a first.’

Dad has always suffered from insomnia, for as long as she can remember.

‘I know.’ He shakes his head. ‘Maybe that’s why I feel off this morning.’

‘Your body’s probably in shock.’

‘Yeah.’ He chuckles.