‘Thanks.’ Isabella clutched her bag strap tightly and stepped into the classroom, keeping her head down.
‘I hope she’s ok.’ Clara watched her taking her seat, close to Sam’s desk.
‘I’ll make sure she is. Don’t worry.’
‘Thank you.’ She patted his arm and smiled before he went inside.
He went over to Isabella and took a seat at the table next to her, then keeping his voice low, he said, ‘Listen, no pressure today. Just take things at your own pace. If at any point you feel like you need a breather or you want to leave, that’s absolutely fine. We can set up a signal, so you don’t have to say anything. If you feel like stepping out, just give me a thumbs up, and that’ll be enough. No need to say anything.’
She gave him a small smile and nodded. ‘Yeah, I like that, thanks.’
‘No problem.’ Sam stood up and returned to the front of the class. ‘Right, everyone, let’s start today with the creative writing evaluations. If you can open them up, please.’ He moved back to Isabella’s table as the students got out their work. ‘You won’t have one of these yet, but let’s see… Marlee…’ He glanced across the table to another girl. ‘Would you mind if Isabella worked alongside you just now?’
‘I don’t mind,’ Marlee said.
‘Great. Your collaboration skills are always excellent. If one of you can move so you’re beside each other, that would help.’
Marlee lifted her bag and went round the table to sit by Isabella. She smiled at her as she sat, and Sam nodded. Reliable students were a godsend.
He kept half an eye on Isabella all lesson, though made sure not to draw too much attention to her. He’d been older than her when his father had died, but he still remembered that feeling of returning to work and sensing that eyes were on him. Maybe it was all in the mind, but if he could bring any comfort or protection to her while she was in class he would do his best. As the lesson went on, she opened up a bit with Marlee, and another girl, Eve, who had only started a few months ago and had also lost a parent. As a group, they seemed to be working well together.
When the bell rang, Sam saw them all out – as he always did – giving Isabella a nod and a thumbs up. A brief smile flickered at the corner of her lips.
He went back into class and got his phone, checking it as he switched off the lights ready to head to the staffroom for break.
A message from his ex had come in, and he swallowed as he opened it.
OLIVE: Hey, Jacob’s got a party on Saturday afternoon. Wonder if you’d be about to take him and go for a run with Kaleb while it’s on? Kaleb is asking. Thanks.
Sam let out a sigh and put the phone in his pocket. Kaleb was more than capable of asking himself which told Sam it wasn’t Kaleb who was asking at all. But this was Olive in a nutshell – she liked Sam when it came to childcare. And he was happy to do his fair share – even his unfair share. Kaleb and Jacob weren’t his biological children. It wasn’t a fact he bandied around, but he had no legal rights regarding either of them.
When Sam and Olive had split up, Sam could have walked away scot-free. But he hadn’t. He’d followed them up here when Olive had moved jobs; he paid for the boys; he spent time with them. And he did it forthem. Not for Olive. She’d hurt him in ways he never spoke about. He buried the memories away and built the happiest life he could for himself and the boys. But every message he received from Olive these days set him on edge. She’d told him just before half term that her contract with her current job was coming to an end, and she might have to move again. His insides contracted at the thought. He’d only just got settled here. He didn’t want to move again. This job. His house. They were ideal. And of course he didn’thaveto move. Except he did. Those boys were his in everything except genetics.
By the time he’d reached the staffroom, Sam had counted to ten and calmed himself. He took out his phone and replied as he waited to grab a coffee.
SAM: Sure. What time?
Whatever irritation he felt towards Olive didn’t need to be taken out on the kids. But he hated the way his life felt controlled by her. He’d now moved three times to make sure he stayed close to the boys. Each time, he’d had to move house and job. The last couple hadn’t really been locations he’d liked, but this was different. Glenbriar High was smaller than the city schools he’dworked at, and it had a close-knit family feel. It would be sad to leave and go somewhere else.
His house at Clachnabronnachan was perfect – apart from the overlong name.
But living like this meant he couldn’t put down roots. He didn’t dare start a new relationship for fear of having to move away. Initially he hadn’t wanted to. His heart had still been healing, but there were times now when he’d welcome someone in his life.
But how? What if in a couple of months, he found he had to move on again?
‘How’s you?’ Lissa tapped him on the arm, beaming. Her black hair was piled so high today it was at Sam’s eye level, which was quite something as she wasn’t tall. As ever, she had on a bright outfit that celebrated every bit of her ample body and complemented her shining personality.
‘Oh, fine. How about you?’
‘Well, apart from intermittent panic about the inspection, I’m good. It’s such a beautiful day, though it’s absolutely Baltic outside.’
Sam nodded. ‘It certainly is.’
Lissa glanced behind her as the door opened to raucous laughter. Kerr and Eddie appeared with Finlay, followed by Mirren and one of the social studies teachers, Brenna Bonham. Both Mirren and Brenna looked at each other and shook their heads like they clearly didn’t share in whatever joke the guys were laughing at.
‘When teachers behave worse than the kids.’ Lissa grinned and shook her head.
Kerr, Eddie and Finlay sat down, and Sam noticed Clara sitting next to Mirren just a few seats away from Kerr. As ever, her eyes strayed to him, and a helpless look appeared on her face for a split second before she refocused on Mirren.
