‘I’m in group four,’ Sam said.
‘Me too.’ Isaac got to his feet.
‘I’m in six.’ Clara glanced around. ‘I wonder who’s in with me.’
‘Where’s your first workshop?’ Sam asked.
‘In history room 2B.’
‘Ours is in the tech base. We’ll catch up at break.’ He gave her a stoic smile, and Isaac mirrored it as they headed out.
Clara was thrilled that Polly, a young biology teacher, was in her group, along with Adele.
‘Our first workshop is with Eddie.’ Clara led the way towards history room 2B.
Eddie beamed as he welcomed them in, then closed the door and introduced a local historian. ‘If everyone would like to take a seat, we’ll watch a short film first.’
‘I love this.’ Adele peered at a model of a crofter’s cottage on a table next to where they sat.
‘Amazing how history inspires creativity.’ Eddie beamed at her.
Clara smiled. Something about Eddie was so debonair and twinkly. He was in his late fifties, well-loved by pupils past and present, and she knew that Kerr adored him.
After Eddie’s workshop, they had one co-hosted by Kerr and Georgie. Clara didn’t know her other than what she’d heard from Kerr and what everyone knew from TV from her tennis playing days, but she couldn’t take her eyes off her. This woman had somehow won the heart of the man Clara had loved for two years– ever since he’d started working here. She’d trained herself not to react in his presence or give anything away, since the day she’d embarrassed herself completely and asked him out. He’d been so nice in his refusal, but it had still stung so hard.
‘Just ignore that.’ Kerr held up his hands as the screen glitched. ‘Technology has a mind of its own… And not often a sound one.’ He pulled a face and caught Clara’s eye, smiling.
She melted. With his kind of rugged yet smart look, he probably had most of the girls in his class in pools at his feet, and probably some of the boys too.
With a sigh, she tried to focus, but her mind was everywhere else… Mainly on Kerr and Georgie. How had Georgie succeeded where she’d failed?
Clara sighed. Life had been confusing enough since Kerr got a girlfriend – but in the last few days, everything had tilted sideways. For once, even her unshakeable optimism was starting to crack. And as she stared at the screen across the room, she couldn’t help wondering if this was the moment everything in her world was about to change.
Chapter Two
Sam
Sam returned to the staffroom with Isaac at the end of the day, took a seat and cast a quick glance at his watch. They’d been asked to attend a brief meeting after the in-service activities, but neither Gil nor Adele was here, and nobody seemed to know what it was about.
‘I hope it doesn’t overrun. I wanted to be out of here sharp,’ Sam said to Isaac. He’d promised Kaleb an evening run now that the days were lengthening, and that meant driving into Perth, where Kaleb lived, which was about thirty minutes away.
‘Sometimes my son is the bane of my life.’ Lissa flopped into the seat next to him. ‘That’s the childminder messaging to say he toppled off the step again. But I miss him. I miss both of them when I’m here late.’
‘Yeah. It’s not easy. And they grow up so fast.’
Sam knew that as well as anyone, despite his unconventional family. No one here knew the truth of his circumstances, and it was easier to keep it that way; otherwise, it led to awkward questions. And while he liked his colleagues, that was all thatthey were. He was closer to some than others, which was to be expected, but they weren’t exactly bosom buddies.
‘…and last week we were in the middle of the high street, and he decided it was the perfect time to throw himself on the ground and wail as if I’ve banned him from biscuits for life.’
Sam pulled himself back into the room, realising Lissa was still talking. ‘Oh no, the dreaded tantrum in public.’
‘Pretended he wasn’t mine,’ Lissa deadpanned, folding her arms as she shook her head. ‘Gave the people a right show.’
Sam laughed, but his attention snagged across the room. ‘I bet that freaked him out.’
Kerr Halley had leaned into Eddie Caldwell, and they were whispering and laughing about something. Despite what must be at least a twenty-year age difference, they were always thick as thieves. Sam had caught kids talking about their ‘bromance’ and had to chivvy them along, but they weren’t wrong. Kerr’s smile split his face, and he rocked forward, chuckling, while Eddie patted his back and smirked.
‘What are they like?’ Lissa arched a brow, shaking her head. ‘Kerr, you’re worse than the kids.’ She threw him a fake glower.
