‘You need to work on your poker face,’ said Imogen. ‘I really think you could find better teachers.’
‘She’s fine.’
‘Fine?I should imagine she’s a bit of a pain to you too. Challenging? Punk attitude? Doesn’t always know how to work the politics?’ She knew by the irked expression on his face that she was right. She got out of bed and started to get dressed. ‘I won’t be able to make the next few Saturdays.’
He sat up, taken aback. ‘What?’
‘In fact...I hate to say it, but I’m worried Carol might find out.’
He scoffed. ‘Why would she?’
‘It’s obvious. The longer we continue, the greater the risk. Maybe we should cool off.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’
She made sure she looked pained. ‘No. And anyway, I need to spend more time with the family. With Rosie. Especially now she’s so upset over being unfairly shunted to the back of the queue.’
‘I see. That’s what this is about. I won’t be blackmailed, you know.’
She went over to the bed and kissed him. ‘I’m thinking of you as well. You and I both know Miss Young stirs up trouble. And although I hate to admit that Rosie has been a little...out of line, shall we say, Miss Young doesn’t like the way it’s all been handled.’ She paused. ‘Aren’t you due an Ofsted inspection in the next couple of months? You want a whistle blower in your school?’
‘She wouldn’t do that.’ But James looked concerned.
‘Oh no? Didn’t she say in the last governors’ meeting that the school should be reviewing its bullying policy?’ Imogen knew this because Erin, as Chair of Governors, had been there and passed it on. Said that Miss Young had used the words ‘failing their children’. ‘She’s an idealist,’ continued Imogen. ‘A foolish one. And didn’t she have other job offers before she came to Ripton Primary? She’ll be OK. I wouldn’t put it past her to sink your ship and then abandon it.’
Imogen put on her trainers then stood. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to get all of our worries out of the way? It would give us more time to spend together.’
She kissed him goodbye and then left.
EIGHTY-SIX
Saturday 6 March
Imogen let herself into the house. She could hear Rosie in the garden with Dylan. She quickly undid her running shoes and thought she’d slip upstairs for a shower before anyone noticed she’d been more than an hour.
‘Hi,’ said Dylan, coming into the hallway.
Imogen turned from the bottom step where she’d been about to escape.Dammit.
‘Hi,’ she said.
‘Turn into a longer run?’
‘Yeah, that’s right.’ It came out sharper than she’d intended.
Dylan was taken aback. ‘I’m not saying it’s a problem.’
‘No, I know you’re not,’ said Imogen quickly.
Dylan frowned. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘Yes, fine!’
‘Only you seem...’
‘What?’
‘Agitated. Something happen on the run?’
