The Head Teacher by H. M. Lynn & Hannah Lynn

Author:H. M. Lynn & Hannah Lynn [Lynn, H. M. & Lynn, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

43

Two minutes later, and we’re sitting in the living room. I’ve topped my wine up with lemonade to make a spritzer, which seems like a more reasonable option for day drinking. Alice has got to go back into school, so has opted for a cup of tea instead.

‘I’m sorry, but the whole thing has got me so paranoid,’ I say. I’ve got my fingers pressed into my skull by the bridge of my nose. Migraines were something I didn’t really experience until I took the job of Head. Some would probably say that’s a reason not to keep doing it. Jamie certainly did. After all, any profession that affects your physical health can’t be a good thing, can it? But this year was meant to be less stressful.

‘You know, he lied straight to my face,’ I tell her. ‘Said he had nothing to do with it?’

‘Who did?’ Alice says, once again looking at me like I’m talking in riddles. But I probably am to her.

‘Nathan.’

‘Nathan? You think Nathan has something to do with it now?’

‘I always have,’ I say. ‘He’s the one who has the most to gain from this. From bringing me down.’

Alice shakes her head while looking at me like I’ve gone crazy.

‘Nathan would never do anything like that. He’s the one taking my classes now. He wanted me to come and check on you. Make sure you’re okay.’

To me, that’s just more evidence. ‘Of course he does,’ I say. ‘Because he thinks he’s pushed it too far.’

She looks at me, her eyebrows butted up to her forehead.

‘You can’t seriously think Nathan is behind all this, can you?’

I take a sip of my drink, before allowing myself a long and ponderous breath in.

‘Assuming that you didn’t tell anyone about Sasha⁠—’

‘You don’t need to assume,’ she says sharply. ‘I’ve already told you I didn’t.’

I let out a sigh. ‘You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m just still working this all out in my head. As you didn’t tell anyone about Sasha, then it makes sense, even more now. His wife is a doctor, right? She would have access to the medical records. Mine and Sasha’s.’

‘His ex-wife,’ Alice says.

‘Sorry?’

‘Ex-wife. They split up, well over a year ago now.’

‘Wait, why? How come I don’t know about it?’

‘He doesn’t like people to know his business at all. Probably didn’t want you to think it was impacting the way he was doing his job.’

‘But he told you.’

‘Yeah… about that…’

I am struggling to believe there’s something so fundamental about my staff, I don’t know. Not that I think Alice is lying. She’s got absolutely nothing to gain from doing that. But I’m just surprised that I didn’t see some signs. Maybe that’s why Nathan wants to do all the early-morning and after-school things. Because he needs to find some way to block out the loneliness. Alice goes to speak, but I need to keep verbalising my thoughts. Like putting together an audible jigsaw.

‘In that case, it makes even more sense about Leo,’ I say. ‘You know how kids can act up in divorce? It can change them.

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