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‘Do you know who this Suzanne is, or why she did it?’
Yes, but I’m not telling you, she doesn’t say either.
‘Christine said she’d update me,’ she says. ‘So I’m actually just waiting for a call from her now.’ Subtext:get off the line and out of my face.
‘All right.’
There is a moment of silence. Samantha has the impression Aisha wants to say something. She wanted to say something yesterday. So. They are both holding back.
‘Aisha?’
‘Sorry, yeah. Er, I’ll see you soon hopefully. Let me know if I can do anything. I’m so sorry about yesterday. Really.’
Samantha feels herself soften. ‘That’s OK. I’m sorry for being so rude.’
‘Don’t even think about it. You were stressed out. I shouldn’t have pushed.’
Another silence. Despite everything, Samantha cannot stop herself from liking this woman. Instinct tells her that without Jenny there, she would have been in less of a rush to list Peter’s shortcomings. Her instincts have been way off lately, but still, there’s something else in Aisha, some hint of damage or vulnerability that she can’t quite put her finger on.
‘Aisha,’ she says. ‘I’m not coming back to college.’ And like that, her decision is made.
‘What? Why?’
‘It was too soon. I let Peter talk me into it, but I wasn’t ready. I thought I could manage it, but after everything that’s happened, I think I need to take some time to be with Emily and try again in six months or so, a year maybe.’
‘I understand. That’s a shame though – you were a good teacher.’ That pause again.
‘Aisha, can I ask you a weird question?’
‘Sure.’
‘Don’t be offended and I’m not saying you have, but … have you ever taken E? You know, as in Ecstasy? What I mean is, did Peter ever ask you to take it?’
Another pause, though this one is different. Heavier. Samantha tries not to fill the space with a thousand dark thoughts.
‘Shit,’ is all that Aisha mutters eventually.
‘Aisha?’
‘I, um, I think we need to meet.’
Twenty-Eight
As Samantha is leaving the house, a call comes in from an unknown number.
‘Samantha?’ It is Christine Townson’s voice.
‘Christine?’
‘Hi. How’re you feeling today?’
‘Ah, not bad,’ she lies. ‘Not much sleep, but Emily’s fine. It’s just a question of time now, isn’t it?’
‘It is, it is.’ Christine sighs. ‘So, I’ve just spoken to Ormskirk branch and they released Charlotte – or Lottie, as she likes to be called – this morning. You’re not pressing charges, apparently?’
‘I, er, no. No, we’re not.’ Peter must have rung them first thing; how efficient. ‘I guess there’s nothing to be gained, is there?’
‘No. I shouldn’t say this, but I think that’s the right decision. She’s troubled, poor thing, has a history of depression, a couple of delusional episodes, but she’s never done anything like this before and she was very upset apparently.’
