‘When did all this happen?’
‘A few days ago,’ said Lara. She walked away, back into the house.
Nancy watched as she left, then looked down again at the bird. It seemed wrong somehow that it wasn’t fully covered. She knelt down, gathered up some wet soil and placed it over the protruding feathers. Then it seemed wrong that the creature was out of sight. As if it was too unsightly to be part of the world any more. She decided to leave it. She took one last look at where the bird was buried and followed Lara inside.
FIFTY-THREE
Friday 11 December
Nancy could feel Lara’s nerves as they were buzzed into the school by Esther. Mr Whitman came out of his room to meet them. Inside his office, he directed them not to the armchair seating area but to the more formal table and chairs on the other side of the room. Then he closed the door.
‘Is Miss Young not joining us?’ asked Nancy, surprised.
‘It’s difficult to get cover for her this morning,’ said Mr Whitman, not looking her in the eye.
This announcement put Nancy on the back foot. Although how much Miss Young would have helped was debatable. She’d shown signs of being supportive in the past, but equally, had clammed up in the presence of her boss. Perhaps it was better without her. In any event, Lara running out of school was a strong reaction to everything that had been going on. Nancy felt certain Mr Whitman would take the bullying far more seriously now. He had safeguarding issues to contend with. At long last, the situation had to be tackled.
‘I’m very glad to see you safe and well,’ Mr Whitman said to Lara.
Lara nodded nervously. She was sitting at the table, looking as if she’d rather be anywhere but the head teacher’s office.
‘Do you want to tell me a bit about what happened yesterday?’ His voice was gentle, encouraging.
Lara shrugged and Nancy knew she was struggling. ‘I needed some space,’ she said.
‘Space from what?’ asked Mr Whitman.
There was a moment before Lara answered. ‘Rosie,’ she mumbled, so quietly she was barely audible.
‘You haven’t been getting on too well recently, have you?’ asked Mr Whitman.
Lara shook her head.
Nancy frowned. That wasn’t quite right. It was more than that. Much more. Rosie had been systematically tormenting her daughter.
‘I know it’s sometimes hard being around people you don’t really like but that’s not an excuse to run away from school. You do understand that what you did is very serious, don’t you?’
Nancy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She saw tears gather in Lara’s eyes.
‘Hang on a minute,’ said Nancy. ‘Rosie has beenbullyingLara. Constantly—’
Mr Whitman held up a hand. ‘Please, Mrs Miller. I know things have been difficult for Lara and I sympathize’ – he looked genuinely empathetic – ‘but I don’t need to tell you how important it is that your daughter remains in schoolfor her own safety.’ He turned to Lara and said kindly: ‘We really can’t have children wandering around Ripton by themselves. We need to know you’re safe.’
Lara nodded mutely.
‘If you ever feel like you need to get some space again, then you can come and see me.’
Lara nodded yet again and Nancy could tell there was no chance of that ever happening. Her daughter would rather die than go and knock on the head teacher’s door.
Mr Whitman turned to Nancy. ‘I know you have concerns about Rosie, and we have put a mechanism in place. Rosie and her friends will be spending two or three breaks a week with the class teaching assistant talking through friendships; how to be a good friend to others; and if you’re not able to be their friend, then how to learn to walk away.’
Nancy’s mouth dropped. ‘Is that it?’
Mr Whitman looked surprised. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, is she not going to be punished?’
‘For what exactly?’
