"If they did and were to come forward, along with mine and Jen’s complaints, it would certainly becomea
Yes, Miss
disciplinary investigation, surely..." I smile, happy she’s on the same wavelength as me.
"It’s just a shame I don’t know anyone at Rippingsworth College that could give background information...” She pauses, looking right at me. “For example, their biology teacher." She winks at me, rising slowly from her chair. "Alas, first period is about to start, children to teach and all that."
I stand and approach her desk, holding out my hand to thank her. This could be the turning point we need to clear his name.
"Oh, don’t be daft!" she says, swatting my hand away and pulling me in for a hug. Her soft floral perfume gives a warm, comforting feel, steadying my nerves like a hug from a mother. "And as for the person who lodged the complaint, I couldn’t possibly disclose that. However, he may want to look closer to his former home for that name." She gives a quick squeeze and stands back.
Shit. My blood runs cold.
Laura.
That vicious cow just can’t let go. How can she do this to a man she once professed her love for and married? A teacher herself who knows exactly what this could do to him.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
That bitch is the one who put the complaint in! But how does she know about me and James in the first place? She seemed to know before she accosted us outside the club, but how? I don’t think James would have told her; he wants nothing to do with her. I am sure as shit going to find out, though.
I walk out of the office, straight to the sports block to hunt down Jen and let her know what I’ve found out to make a plan.
But first, I have a call to make. I reach for my phone, finding an empty classroom, and press the green phone icon, my heart hammering away as I sit on the edge of a desk and play with the hem of my skirt.
“Hi, baby. I miss you,” James’ soft voice answers, and my whole body settles.
“I’ll be over tomorrow. I miss you too. Jen and I have a plan.” I do my best to steady my voice, but in this moment, there’s nothing more I want than to be in his arms, listening to his heart beating beneath me. I take a deep breath, preparing to tell him what Rebecca had told me, and I’m not sure how he’ll take it.
“James, as much as we’re going to bring Daniel down, it wasn’t him who made the complaint.” I pause as he stays silent.
Yes, Miss
“It was Laura, wasn't it?” He sighs out, and my heart breaks; he sounds like a broken man. “Why won’t she let me live my life, Iz?”
“Because she is a bitter, jealous bitch, James. She fucked up leaving you, and she knows it.” My pulse quickens as I feel the need to defend him and go for the jugular with her.
“I don’t want this to cause you any issues. This is my mess. You shouldn’t have to go through this because of me,” his voice rises, a tinge of anger coming through, something I’ve never heard before. The hairs rise on the nape of my neck, shivers running through me. He’s passionate, but angry James is sexy as fuck.
“James, I’m good. It’s ok. We’ve done nothing wrong, and they will see this. Just remember, we do this together.”
I hear his breathing steady out, and we sit in silence for a few more moments before he says, “I want to hold you, Iz. Please stay with me tonight. I need you next to me. I don’t ever want to be without you. Having you with me settles me to my very core; you’re my peace, my hope…” He takes a deep breath in and continues, “Iz, you’re my fucking everything.”
“You’re mine too. Nothing is too much for you, James; you deserve someone to fight for you. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you tonight, I promise.”
Alexandra Ravensbrook
We hang up the call, and I set off in search of Jen.
Yes, Miss
Chapter 38
Isabelle
Jen is amazing; I don’t know what I would do without her. By the end of the teaching day, she has tracked down the biology teacher at Rippingsworth and organised a meet for the following day after work. The fact that the teacher has been willing to meet with us is amazing and could be the help we need to get rid of him once and for all.
It seems to take forever to get through the next school day, waiting to meet with the teacher in the café. Rain taps against the windows as I toy with the napkin in my place setting. I think of all the shit that has happened, wondering how it all blew up so catastrophically. My eyes search the café for our woman, but no one has walked in.
