That’s the moment I get an ache in my belly. I’m wondering desperately what this could be about as I follow Mr.Harper down the corridors. Normally, he likes to chat and ask you how things are going, but this time, he doesn’t say a word, which is making me kind of edgy. I’m at the point of asking what’s going on when we reach the offices.
“After you. Mrs.Sinclair is expecting you.”
I feel his hand on my shoulder before I open the door. There’s something about the expression in his eyes that scares me.
“Thanks,” I mumble, entering the room.
I’ve stepped through this doorway loads of times, but this time it’s different. I can sense it: There’s this tense feeling making it hard to breathe.
Mrs.Sinclair isn’t sitting at her desk as she usually is. She’s standing by the window. There’s a young man beside her.
They both turn to face me.
It’s Theo...
What’s he doing here? Has he come for a visit? Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Mrs.Sinclair’s face is grave. Theo’s is pale. I can’t move.
“What’s happened?” I blurt.
Mrs.Sinclair looks at Theo. His Adam’s apple bobs as he gulps.
All he says is “Maeve,” and my blood runs cold.
Emma
“Thank you for listening. If you have any questions, please, ask them now.” I exhale soundlessly as the others in the room start to clap.
“Wonderful, thank you, Emma.” Ms.Kelleher smiles at me, standing up. “Very well done.” She glances at the clock. “Well, we’re pretty much out of time for today. The rest of you can head off to lunch break early so that I can give Emma my feedback on her presentation.”
I wipe my sweaty palms on my trousers, and pull my USB stick out of the laptop at the speaker’s lectern. Giving a talk on the Industrial Revolution in Britain had cost me some sleepless nights. I’m so bad at speaking in front of other people, but at least it’s over and done with now. Tori and Sinclair give me two thumbs up as they pass me on their way out.
Ms.Kelleher waits until everyone’s left the room, then glances at her notes.
“How do you think that went, Emma?” she asks.
“It was all right,” I begin. “I was very nervous.”
“It didn’t show.” She smiles at me. “You spoke fluently, your English is excellent, and the content more than fulfilled the brief.”
I don’t dare move.
“I’m giving you an A star.”
“Oh.” I’m taken aback. “Thank you.”
“You earned it. Keep up the good work, Emma. And now off to lunch with you.”
I stand up, still with butterflies in my stomach. “Thank you,” I repeat, reaching for my bag.
“I’ll see you again on Friday,” says Ms.Kelleher as I leave the room.
In the hallway, I look around for Tori and Sinclair, but they’ve disappeared. Maybe they’ve already gone to the dining room for lunch. I’m about to glance at my phone when I hear my name.
“Emma?” Grace is walking toward me. For a moment, I panic. But then I see her worried face. “I wanted to let you know.”
“What’s the matter?” I ask.
