‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Fabian. The thing is, Sorrel wants to come too.’
‘Absolutely not.’ Fabian shook his head. ‘For a start, she’s not eighteen and, even if she were, she wouldn’t be allowed in a youth court. She shouldn’t be getting involved in this dangerous situation of Joel’s. That gang of his that got him into this mess to begin with are still out there, probably watching every move he makes.’
‘Joel’s her boyfriend…’ Robyn began.
‘Of sorts. Once she’s off down to London after Easter to start at this theatre school, she’ll forget all about him and move on. As she should. She has her whole life ahead of her; she shouldn’t be involved with someone who’s become embroiled in county lines when she’s only sixteen. I’m sorry, Robyn, I like Joel very much, and I’m sorry for the utter mess he’s found himself in, but you all need to keep out of this and let me get on with doing my job of defending him. The local authority will then use their jurisdiction as to where he should be placed if the CPS decide, because of his age and because of the coercion I will say he’s been under, whether to go ahead with the prosecution. And don’t forget that he was attacked by a rival gang and ended up in hospital. If, on the balance of probabilities, the jury decide Joel is a victim of these gangs – and I truly believe he is – then hopefully the CPS will decide not to go ahead with the case.’
‘Mason wants to be there, wants to support Joel. And I want to go too.’
‘You’ve kept all this to yourself.’
‘Because I knew this would be your reaction. Any chance to have a go at Mason and you’ll take it.’
‘Not Guilty, Robyn.’ Fabian kissed her cheek. ‘I just reckon any chance that headteacher of yours gets to be with you andhe’lltake it.’
‘We’re both going for Joel’s benefit and so I can report back to Sorrel. Are you sure Mason and I won’t be allowed in?’
‘Not unless he’s acting as Joel’s responsible adult. And, as far as I know, that’s Joel’s aunt who he’s been living with over in Castleford once he was discharged from hospital after the knife attack. It’s a waste of time you going, Robyn, honestly. You’re far better going into school as usual and waiting until I ring you to let you know the result of the case.’
* * *
‘You do know we won’t be allowed into the court room itself.’ Robyn pulled on the seatbelt as Mason Donoghue reversed from his spot in St Mede’s High School car park and headed for the motorway.
‘Yes, I know. Although I’m still hoping they might make an exception for me as his headteacher and let me in as additional support for Joel.’
‘According to Fabian, no way. And don’t forget, with Joel being away on local authority bail miles away in Castleford, you’re not actually his headteacher any more. And his aunt and support workers will be with him.’
‘Well, at least we can be outside the court room with him before his case is called on. Show him he’s not alone and that we’re supporting him.’ Mason hesitated and then, stopping to allow a group of nursery kids cross a zebra crossing, turned and asked, ‘You OK? Is it all working out with this barrister of yours?’
‘It is. It’s lovely.’
‘Good for you.’
‘And you and your wife?’
Mason shook his head. ‘Not really.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘So am I.’
‘So, what does that mean?’
‘Thinking of moving on.’ Mason gave a little grimace. ‘Probably best to jump now before we’re actually thrown out. The Sattar brothers are determined to have the school site for a new factory and, of course, the local authority would love it too. The demolishing of their worst sink school and plenty of money in their back pocket as well. Perfect answer to the St Mede’s problem.’
Robyn exhaled. She knew this plan had been mooted back in January, but then nothing appeared to have been done about it. ‘Well, at least we’ll be able to get this production ofGreaseout of the way before the bulldozers come in…’ She trailed off, realised she was being flippant. And also realising how much she didn’t want the school to go under. If she’d been asked her opinion on the fate of the school even a couple of months previously, she’d have been at the front of the queue with the demolition ball, but now it actually all felt a bit different.
‘You’ll be happy to see it go, won’t you?’ Mason asked, concentrating on the road ahead. ‘You’ve never really liked the place or the hard-work kids that are our clients.’
‘A bit harsh, that.’ Robyn frowned and then relented slightly. ‘OK, OK, yes, you’re right, I’ve done nothing but complain about the place since I started.’
‘But it’s grown on you?’ Mason shot her a smile.
‘Suppose. I mean, what will happen to the kids? Where will they go? Will the authority build Little Micklethwaite village a new school?’
Mason gave a mirthless laugh. ‘Another school? What world do you live in? And what with? The authority’s as broke as every other authority in the country. No, they’ll pocket a fantastic amount of money to spend on mending potholes and ensuring their diversity and working from home issues are sorted. And the kids will be dispersed, probably at random, to other high schools in the area. I suspect some, nearing the end of their education, just won’t bother going any more.’
‘All five hundred of them to new schools?’
