‘I knew I was concussed because I felt really dizzy so I hailed a taxi .?.?.’
‘Oh my God, Ramona. That could’ve turned out so much worse.’
It made sense, in a way, Cassie reflected. All her life Ramona had felt unprotected in spite of her family’s wealth, like a high-wire act with no safety net.
They drove back to the apartment as the radio played ‘Raspberry Beret’ by Prince.
‘Someone was looking out for me last night,’ said Ramona. ‘And when I find out who it was, I’m gonna give them a big hug.’
Cassie smiled, and as she sang along with the chorus, she found herself filled with gratitude for the nurses, for the sun, for what really mattered and, especially, for the world of second chances.
* * *
Cassie arrived back at school just in time to answer discreet enquiries from the other staff.
‘I saw you flying off in your car, I thought, God help us, is someone dead?’ said Babs.
This was a clear invitation for Cassie to fill them in. She managed to give the crowd at the table just enough information to seem trusting and collegial, but not quite enough salacious detail to fan the gossip. All the while, she spotted Marisha circling the staffroom like a silent shark. It was ten past one – five more minutes of break to go.
‘Cassie, have you a moment?’ she hissed.
Just get it over with, Cassie thought. She really didn’t have the energy for Marisha’s vendetta. Marisha ushered Cassie into the guidance counsellor’s room, flipped the ‘Do not disturb’ sign round and slammed the door.
‘Sooo .?.?. you were the babysitter I spoke to that evening on the phone. I knew there was something familiar about your voice, but I couldn’t quite place it.’
‘Look, I’m really sorry about how that worked out, I acted in good faith. I hope the children weren’t upset.’
‘On the contrary, they appear to have had a fine time, kept asking when they could have you again.’
Cassie cringed inwardly – that was no help to her right now.
‘So, it seems .?.?. you are in some contact with my husband?’
Her ‘husband’. That wasn’t exactly how Cassie understood the situation but, admittedly, she hadn’t had a chance to contact Finn yet. There hadn’t been enough space in her head for two emergencies at once. What if he’d already revealed their relationship? What if Marisha already knew all about them and was just testing her?
All of a sudden, after everything she’d been through, this situation just felt so tiresome.
‘Look, yes, I did end up babysitting your children on one occasion, but I didn’t make the connection either. I was as surprised as you were this morning. If you want me to leave the job, I will. It’s been a very upsetting morning and the last thing I need is .?.?. insinuations about .?.?. whatever it is you’re insinuating about me.’
Cassie knew exactly what Marisha was itching to ask her and had no intention of making it easy. She seemed to be sizing Cassie up. She doesn’t want to expose herself either, she thought.
‘Well, I’m sure you were glad of the money.’
Just then the bell went right outside the door and the tension snapped. Cassie guessed they were both equally glad to get out of the room. For the rest of the day Cassie found herself trying to stay invisible at the back of the room. In spite of her composure in the moment, the confrontation with Marisha had shaken her. The experienced teacher expertly brought the class through a double period of maths, totally on top of each child’s progress. There was no rowdiness, no messing. How had she ever imagined she could fill those shoes?
Chapter 21
Cassie pulled into the underground car park of her apartment block and texted Finn:
Need to talk. Crazy shit has happened. Call me ASAP?
Ten seconds later the phone rang on video call.
‘Hey, what’s up?’
Finn was at work, she could see what looked like an office behind him; he appeared mildly concerned but nowhere in the same league as she was feeling.
‘Why didn’t you tell me your ex worked in my school, for God’s sake?’
