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‘Yes, I do understand how serious this is. But what you’ve got to take on board is that Toby’s mum is in hospital at the moment, and his dad is working away, so there’s been a lot of things going on in his home life right now that—’
‘I’m aware of that.’ The head interrupted her, making Thea’s hackles rise, and making her think that the head could do with some lessons in manners. Thea listened and rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, I appreciate that doesn’t excuse—’
And she still couldn’t finish a sentence without the rude head reiterating her point about school policy. Thea looked at her nephew. They’d had a conversation in the car on the way home, and from what little information Toby had given her, he’d lashed out after being goaded by a boy in the year above who claimed to be Caitlin’s boyfriend. The boy wasn’t happy that his so-called girlfriend had looked Toby’s way. That was how it had all started, apparently.
Of course, it was all down to who the head believed, and unfortunately the evidence – the bloodied hand – was all the head needed to make a decision. Toby hadn’t touched the boy, thank goodness, but he had thrown a punch, and the boy had moved to avoid it, tripped over and fallen in the playground, grazing his hand. What had led up to that, the head wasn’t interested in hearing.Toby was the party at fault, and he was being suspended.
Thea got off the phone and sighed heavily. ‘Your head is an arsehole.’
Toby looked at her in surprise and smiled into the sleeve of his school jumper.
Thea shook her head. ‘Now, what am I going to do with you for five days?’The school had organised homework for him to do, but knowing her studious nephew, Thea imagined that he’d probably get that done in one morning.
Toby lifted his head off the kitchen worktop and said, ‘We could go to the bookshop.’
She was about to say no, but it actually wasn’t a bad idea to have an extra pair of hands to help her start sorting out the shop.
‘All right.’
‘Really?’
She knew why he was looking surprised that she’d agreed. Being suspended from school was meant to be a punishment, and not an excuse to go somewhere you’d much rather be.
‘Can we go there now?’
‘No. The school bus will be arriving soon, and I need to prepare some dinner for us.’
‘Oh, yeah, I forgot about my sister.’ He put his chin on his elbows again.
‘And before you ask, we are not returning to Aldeburgh after dinner. You both have homework to do.’
‘But I’ve got loads of time to get it done.’
‘Yes, but your sister hasn’t. She’s got school tomorrow. And besides, I’m pretty sure Katie will not want to spend her evening in a dusty, musty old bookshop.’
‘But I would.’
‘I know.’So would I, thought Thea, but she didn’t say that.
Toby exhaled heavily. ‘What about first thing tomorrow morning?’
‘Yes, that was my thinking.’
Toby sat up and grinned.
Thea didn’t. ‘Now, don’t get any ideas that you’re going to be sitting with a book on the couch in the back room taking it easy. You’re going to have to roll up your sleeves and do some work.’
Toby was still grinning. ‘Fine by me. Although …’
‘Although – what?’
‘I’d like to know what all the equipment is for in the back room.’
Thea had seen it too when she’d been in the shop that morning. ‘It’s for bookbinding.’
‘Bookbinding? Can you show me how?’
Thea shook her head. ‘I’m afraid not. It’s a specialised skill. You would need someone trained and experienced in that field to teach you.’ Thea thought that perhaps if things had turned out differently, and her dad hadn’t disappeared, he might have taught her. But he hadn’t, and finding someone with the skills to teach Toby – well, that would be a tall order. ‘I’m considering selling that equipment.’ Thea knew she’d have to contact her mum first and check it was all right for her to do that. ‘I imagine we might get some good money for it to help with sorting out the bookshop.’
