"Mr. Wentworth was always very professional and very helpful with getting me through my piano exams. There was nothing further than that at the time."
"In the allegation, the complainant states that you had a crush on Mr. Wentworth, and that they suspected you to be in a relationship with him. Could you discuss this?"
I look back at him, open-mouthed. What the fuck did that have to do with anything? He met James this morning, right? Every girl had a crush on James. What did they expect? Tall, strong, gorgeous, and sweet; I’d wager there were several boys that liked him too.
"I assume you’ll be interviewing all the female students in my cohort who had a crush on Mr. Wentworth, Mr. Hunter? Mr. Wentworth is an attractive man, kind and thoughtful. I defy you to find a heterosexual female student who doesn’t have a crush on him. But for the record, yes I did, I refuse to lie. Mr. Wentworth never behaved in a manner that was unprofessional or inappropriate." I shake my head at the ridiculousness of his questioning. Not only that, but I’m starting to feel like I’m on trial here. I know what's at stake here, but we’ve not done anything wrong, and I won’t hide or lie.
Mr. Hunter makes some notations on his papers and continues. "Following the end of sixth form, did you meet up again with Mr. Wentworth?"
Alexandra Ravensbrook
"No, I didn’t. I didn’t see Mr. Wentworth again until my first day in this job as his colleague in September."
"And this is when your relationship began?"
"Yes, it is. Not immediately. We became good colleagues first, which later developed into a relationship."
"Ms. Matthews, we’ve had allegations that Mr. Wentworth enjoys relationships that may have unbalanced power dynamics, and this is a concern with regards to yourself. Do you feel as though you’ve been subjected to an imbalance of power in your relationship with Mr. Wentworth?"
Internally, I laugh. They have absolutely no idea about our power dynamic. I lean forward, my forearms on the table, weighing up the best approach to the answer. I decide not to choose violence and go with tactful instead.
"Mr. Hunter, my relationship with Mr. Wentworth is entirely consensual, and power dynamics are nobody's business but ours. I can assure you, I’m not being pressured or forced in any way into any role within this relationship."
"As you can appreciate, the complainant has alleged that you’ve been in a relationship with Mr. Wentworth since you were a student, and that Mr. Wentworth enjoys relationships where power dynamics are at play, where one party takes a controlling role over the other.
Yes, Miss
Obviously, relationships with students and the abuse of power dynamics by teachers are a valid concern—"
"Mr. Hunter, " I interrupt, talking loudly over him. Maybe choosing violence was the right way with this prick. "Mr. Wentworth at no point used any power or pressure to get me into a relationship with him. If anything, it's the reverse. He was reluctant at first because he thought he was too old for me. Not that that has anything to do with these allegations, but clearly, to add context, this allegation has been brought about by his ex-wife, who has verbally assaulted me in the street and harassed Mr. Wentworth, and at this point, I find the image you’re painting of him to be defamatory, derogatory, and disgusting. And I won’t sit here and listen to it."
With that, I leave the room, Jen following closely behind. I walk out to the reception area and stand outside the doors, desperate for fresh air and space to clear my head. Rebecca follows closely to investigate the commotion. I slump against the wall, fight leaving my body as I start to tremble, tears filling my eyes as I draw in several shaky breaths.
"Do you want to go home, Isabelle? I can take over your class, and Jen can go back to hers."
"Thank you, Rebecca. Yes, I will. I need to go see James. When will we know the outcome?" I wipe away the tears that have fallen down my cheeks.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
Rebecca says, "Normally, it’ll be in a few days. They need to speak to a few more people. Have you heard back from the women you spoke to?"
Jen has already informed Rebecca about the discussions we’ve had, and I explain how we’re waiting for written statements, but all the women are willing to come forward and support us.
"Great. Once I receive those, I’ll start the official grievance and suspend Daniel. You won’t need to see his face again."
I hug Rebecca and Jen and make my way home to James. Having his arms wrapped round me, his body against mine and his citrus amber smell filling my senses, is all I need right now.
Yes, Miss
Chapter 41
Isabelle
I walk straight through the front door and head upstairs to James's bedroom, undressing as I go. I need a shower to wash the day off and try to relax. The interview made me feel dirty and sullied, as helpless as I was after Matt, and I need James to hold me now, to stop the thoughts running through my head.
I can hear him on the stairs as he makes his way up to see me. He walks through the door as I stand there, naked in front of him.
He is a glorious sight to behold. His tall, broad, muscular frame fills the doorway as he leans against it in nothing but his grey sweatpants, his tattoos on show. He runs a hand through his hair and smiles a lopsided grin at me.
