Murder Most Studious by L.M. Thornburg

Author:L.M. Thornburg [Thornburg, L.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

I spend most of my time the next morning introducing myself to families and answering questions about the syllabus. I assumed parents would want to know more about me because I’m new at the school, so I typed up a page about my education and past teaching experiences to hand out.

It goes smoothly for the most part. Most parents are nice, a few are condescending, but I’ve dealt with all of it before. The accents are just more posh this time. As soon as the last family leaves my classroom, I race to the dining hall. I’ve been tasked with greeting families at the door and answering questions they might have about the rest of the afternoon.

I feel like this is a silly and unnecessary job, but at the moment that’s about all I have the brainpower for, so I’m grateful that’s all that’s required of me. I don’t really feel like doing anything too taxing. Smiling and saying hello will be hard enough.

Lunch begins at half past noon. I continue standing at the door until a quarter to one, then head back to my apartment for a quick lunch alone. I’m grateful when I open my fridge and see the leftovers Freya brought over last night. I don’t have to think about anything but putting tiny sandwiches in my mouth.

After eating and a cup of coffee, I feel ready as I can be for the afternoon’s events. Since I’m not involved in a club or sport, Mrs. Bowerton asked me to wait in her office in case anyone requests a tour. At first this seems strange to me. Wouldn’t parents have already toured the school when they registered their child? Or their daughter could show them around now? But, apparently, the school is also open today to prospective students and their parents to check out.

I paste on my most welcoming smile any time anyone approaches Ms. Bowerton’s office, but I end up only having to give one tour. And it turns out to be incredibly easy for me, because the mother went to school here and already knows where everything is. And she likes to talk. So I just quietly escort them around.

We’re done in time for me to pop back into my apartment and change into a cocktail dress for the more formal dinner. As I walk to the dining hall, I see families all over the green taking pictures, girls running around laughing. Everyone seems to be enjoying the weekend.

All the staff will sit at three long tables set up at the front of the room, with Ms. Bowerton presiding in the middle, very “Harry Potter in the Great Hall” although our dining hall is not nearly so grand. I find my name and sit down at my spot.

I’m early and there’s no one else at my table yet, but I peek at the surrounding names. Thankfully, one of them is Freya. I look at the next table and see the teacher that Mrs. Brigg slapped at the memorial service.

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