Likeourhome.
Later, I round up some of the staff for celebratory drinks at the pub. James said he’d meet us there. All day, I’ve felt like I’m floating, the weight of the investigation finally gone. Tonight, we’ll tell everyone about us properly and shut down any lingering rumours. Daniel’s absence from school has sparked wild gossip about some ridiculous love triangle gone wrong. As if I’d ever let Daniel near me. The thought makes me heave.
Jen and I walk arm in arm to the pub. I turn to look at her as she chats happily with her girlfriend on the phone, and it hits me just how incredible a friend she’s become in such a short space of time. She stood by us without question, fought for us without being asked. I could love
Yes, Miss
Jen like a sister. And her girlfriend, Amy, is fabulous too; there’s a vicious, fiery streak in her, and I love it.
Jen hangs up, and I squeeze her arm in a hug.
“Thank you, Jen. I seriously couldn’t have done any of this without you. I want you to know how much we both appreciate you.”
She turns with a wide grin, eyes crinkling. “You daft cow, don’t get soft! I wanted him gone too, and I love a bit of revenge!” She laughs, but her smile falters as she meets my gaze. “Iz… So many people heard the shit he said about me being gay and just laughed. Or stayed quiet. You were the only one who was disgusted. The only one who stood up.” Her voice cracks. “It hurts knowing your colleagues will let that slide. But you reported it, Iz. That meant everything to me and to Amy.”
My heart aches for this wonderful woman and how marginalised she feels over something as beautiful as loving someone.
“Come on, let’s have some fun!” I say, wanting to lift Jen’s mood as we round the street corner and take our usual seats at the back of the pub.
After a while, we have a table of several teachers all chatting away, and Amy joins us, flushed from teaching her last martial arts class of the day. She soon comes back from the bar with two bottles of wine.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
“Oi oi! Ladies! Drinks are flowing!” she shouts cheerily. We all laugh and start pouring. I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see James leaning against the wall behind me. I shift in my seat to turn my body to him. My neck cranes to look up at him, and I take in his beaming smile. He looks so much happier, his demeanour lighter, and I can see him for how he should have always been, happy and content.
“So, do you come here often?” he jokes, and I playfully swat his leg.
“Sit down, you fool!” I laugh, the urge to stand up and kiss him in front of everyone almost too much to ignore. He’s mine, and everyone should know it. Heads turn at the table; everyone’s eyes fixed on James. A tense second passes where the nerves from James are palpable until Paulette, one of the science teachers, cheers, and a round of applause ripples across the table, along with happy murmurings of congratulations and welcome backs.
We sit, chatting away, our bodies brushing against each other on the bar stools, gradually getting closer and more relaxed as the drinks flow. I lean in, my mouth brushing James’ ear. “Let’s tell them about us. They know anyway. I want to make you all mine publicly.” I feel a small shiver run through him as our bodies press together, and he dips his head, his eyes fixed on my mouth.
“We both know that’s not my choice to make. You’re the one in control, baby. But promise me, after you tell
Yes, Miss
them, I can kiss those delectable soft lips and claim you right back.” His voice is deep and smooth, with a note of devilment in it. His smile turns into a lopsided smirk as he turns and raises his glass.
“Miss Matthews would like to make an announcement!” he shouts, clearly a little merry from the pints he’s already sunk.
“Speech!” someone at the end of the table calls.
“Thank you! It’s not a speech! I just wanted to say that James and I appreciate all the support you’ve given us throughout this ridiculous investigation, and we wanted to finally put an end to the rumours. We are, in fact, a couple. We started dating a month or so after I started.” I look around to gauge their reaction, but they all stare at us expectantly, as if I haven’t started talking yet. I lean down to Jen on my other side. “I did say that out loud, didn’t I? Why are they still waiting for the announcement?”
Jen cackles, a laugh that borders on evil. “Ask them!”
Paulette starts laughing into her glass of wine. “Oh, sweet cheeks, we all knew already. His face gives it away the moment you walk into a room!” I stare at her in shock. “We were all expecting baby news or that you’re moving in together!” she continues. Several laughs sound around the table.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
As I look at all the faces around us, I feel a happy sense of family. They all already knew and had been rooting for us without us even realising it. The warmth that gives me is something I’m not used to. Even my own mother didn’t support me in anything, and she’ll never get the chance to either. Our relationship ended when I left for university. So, to have all these people, who were strangers just months ago, now by our side makes me feel like we can face the world together, no matter the hurdle.
Suddenly, voices hush, and the mood instantly drops. I look around in confusion. James stands up next to me and puts his hand around my arm, pulling me behind him. He’s so tall and broad; I can’t see a thing. My gaze flicks to Jen, who looks like she wants to kill someone.
I pull away from James’ hold and step around him, coming face to face with a very belligerent-looking Daniel.
Yes, Miss
Chapter 50
