Isabelle
I sit, staring at my lunch, picking at the crusts on my sandwich, unable to even face eating anything. The idea of being interviewed about our relationship makes me sick. The whole idea of some stranger coming in and wanting to know everything about it leaves me feeling violated, and it hasn't even happened yet.
"How are you holding up?" Jen mutters quietly, slipping into the seat next to me.
"Meh… It's just really shit," I reply, unable to put together anything more eloquent.
At that moment, the universe decides to deal me another shit hand. In through the door strides Dickhead himself.
"SawLoverboyleaving this morning… That’ll be the last time he sets foot on these premises!" Daniel sneers, laughing to himself and looking around to see if anyone is laughing with him.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
I jump out of my seat, sending it flying to the floor behind me, the clatter making everyone turn to watch what was happening.
“Fuck you, Daniel, you worthless piece of shit!"
The whole staffroom goes silent as I stalk over to Daniel, my finger pointing at his chest.
"You are a shitty excuse for a human being, and trust me, karma is on her way to fuck you over! James and I will come out on top in this one, just you watch, and hopefully we'll never have to see your face again. And female teachers," I say, giving him a knowing look, "will once again be safe, and you'll be out on your ass. Now get the fuck out of my way, shit stain!"
I push him aside and storm out of the staff room, running face first into Rebecca.
"Everything okay, Isabelle?" Rebecca asks, an amused smirk on her face.
"He just really winds me up, Rebecca! I can't fucking stand him! He constantly has to have his little digs!" I fume, white-hot anger ripping through me, wanting a way to earth, like lightning seeking the tallest point.
"Shhhhh…it’s ok," she says, her hand on my shoulder. “I was sitting in the adjoining office this morning. James’ interview went okay, not that he managed to get much of a word in edgeways, with his solicitor there.”
Yes, Miss
I let out a small laugh, knowing full well Vic wouldn't have let anything slide!
"She firmly put the interviewer in his place at the very start. She's a fierce one. I like her." Rebecca grins. "We need more women like her. Then maybe we wouldn't have to put up with people like Daniel." She loops her hand through my arm and leads me to her office. “I'll send my secretary to get Jen,” she says, “But first, I want you to get settled and compose yourself before the interview starts.”
Scattered over the table, paperwork, notepads, and pens create chaos where Rebecca would have had none. She huffs, seeing the mess, and points to a seat for me to sit in and grabs me a glass of cold water, the beads of condensation dripping down the glass jug looking like the fresh relief I’m in need of.
Muttering and footsteps sound outside the room, and Jen enters, taking the seat next to me, closely followed by an older, balding man in a suit.
“Good afternoon, Isabelle. I'm Mr. Stephen Hunter, and I'm the Safeguarding Officer. I'll be interviewing you this afternoon with regard to your relationship with Mr. James Wentworth.” His face is older and kind, and he is clearly trying to put me at ease, but the knowledge that one wrong thing said or misunderstood could end James’ career or sully his reputation weighs heavily on me, adding to the oppressive stress of the whole situation.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
After a brief introduction and summary of the allegations, Mr. Hunter sits back in his chair, his pen twirling in his fingers as he asks his first question.
"Ms. Matthews, can you tell me when you first met Mr. Wentworth?"
"Yes, he was my piano teacher in my final year of sixth form. I was eighteen."
"And at this point, were you sexually active or in a relationship with anyone?" His eyes bore into me, seeking answers to a question he had no right asking. Since when was I on trial?
My insides lurch. How dare he ask that question! Who I was sleeping with was none of his business, all he needed to know was it was not James. "Mr. Hunter, I don't see what that's got to do with anything, and quite frankly, it's disgusting that you'd ask a question like that! I will not be answering any questions of that nature." Fire lights up my anger like a match to a firework.
Mr. Hunter has the audacity to look shocked at my response to him, like I should have just told him my most personal, intimate information.
"During your tuition with Mr. Wentworth, did you form a…closer relationship?" He phrases the question carefully.
Yes, Miss
