She gives a sad smirk and finishes her story.
“He clearly was not as clever as he thought. I kept copies of these text messages. I had gotten to the point where either I was going to quit or pursue a grievance. A few friends told me I'd worked too hard to let a dickwad like him ruin my career. I went to the head teacher again and told him I was recording the conversation. A week later, Daniel had moved to another school. After he left, a couple more people came forward with things that he had said to them, but I just wanted to move on with my life.”
Yes, Miss
We sit in silence for a few minutes as Sarah gathers herself again. She leans forward, her voice steadier now.
“I do know one of the other teachers Daniel did this to. I trained with her at university, and I know another teacher who was harassed at a previous school by him, but I’d have to track down her details. To know he’s done this to you all these years later….” She trails off, looking sad and regretful. “I’m so sorry. If I had pursued it back then, he may never have done it again.”
She holds my hand, her expression almost pleading for forgiveness. Only, I have been so much luckier than her. I have James by my side and an amazing boss. I’m so thankful to have the support I do.
“Sarah, please don’t blame yourself. The guy’s a total dick. He’d carry on regardless, but it ends now. This guy shouldn’t be a teacher. He should not be in a position where he has access to young women and students. It’s about time he faces the full force of his consequences,” I say to her, noticing Jen ending the recording.
“Thank you so much for that, Sarah. I know it can’t have been easy to go over all that again,” Jen says, putting her phone away and offering Sarah a tissue.
Sarah sends a few text messages, whilst I send a message to Rebecca to let her know we’ve spoken. We stand from the table and walk to the café door. She hugs
Alexandra Ravensbrook
Jen goodbye and promises to be in touch with contact details of anybody else she can find.
We travel home in silence, stunned at the nature of the man we’ve been working with. The idea he has been swanning round, free to do what he wants, makes me sick.
The following day, as we sit in the staff room during afternoon break, the empty seat beside me feels like a dark void, James’ absence acutely felt. I look across at Daniel. Anger roars through my veins, knowing what he’s done to so many other women, but I know that karma is on its way to deliver.
Daniel looks across at me and waves. That same shit-eating grin on his face. Jen takes the seat next to me, a look of sheer excitement on her face as she pulls me close.
“Isabelle, I’ve had a text from Sarah. She’s managed to track down two more people! I’m going to organise a meeting with them after school,” she says in an excited whisper. I smirk at Daniel, and he looks away, turning his body from me. He has no idea what’s coming for him.
As soon as school’s finished, we drive to a pub an hour away to meet with the other two women. It turns out they were at the school that Daniel moved to after Sarah. The first lady, Emma, blows me away with how strong she is. With a no-nonsense tone and almost no emotion, she
Yes, Miss
details a similar start, meeting up for drinks after work, following her to the car park, only this time Emma had been waiting for a taxi when Daniel attempted to rape her.
When she went to the police, Daniel denied all knowledge and said that they had a kiss in the car park, but that she'd been drunk and he decided not to take it any further with her, being the gentleman that he was. Unfortunately, there was no evidence and no CCTV to back up Emma's claim. Emma had left shortly after and is now a supply teacher moving around from school to school.
The second teacher, Georgia, had actually dated Daniel a couple of times before deciding he was not someone she wanted a relationship with. She told us how he was too handsy, and he got aggressive when she was talking to another guy at the bar, despite the fact it was her neighbour. When he had tried to hit her neighbour, she told him that nothing would ever happen with him again.
After this, he harassed her for another six months, groping her, making derogatory comments, making snide remarks in the staff room. On a school trip, he pinned her against the wall and tried to kiss her again. Unfortunately for him, Georgia had started dating a nightclub bouncer. Daniel was off sick for four months recovering from his broken arm and never looked at her again.
After some tears, a lot of anger, and a couple more glasses of wine, both women agree to make statements
Alexandra Ravensbrook
about Daniel’s behaviour if needed, and Jen thanks them again, ensuring they have her contact details.
Emma sits next to Georgia quietly, looking down at her hands.
“Is everything okay?” Jen asks. “Do you need some fresh air?”
Emma looks at Georgia and says quietly, “Did you hear about the student?”
Georgia’s face pales, and her hand flies to her mouth.
“Oh God! Of course. That poor girl!” Georgia whispers.
“Student?” I gasp, horrified that not only had he done this to adults, but that he had targeted a student, someone who should feel safe with a teacher, a trusted adult.
