But that was silly. He didn’t want to ask Clara to dothat. Not after the jokes about her being his pretend wife. What she was offering was already over and above.
A soft clatter broke his train of thought – a girl at the front had dropped something. She giggled as she picked it up.
Sam checked the time, then paused the film on the next scene break. ‘Is everyone following ok? Or does anyone want clarification about anything or to make any observations?’
No one put up their hand or ventured anything.
‘Ok, I’ll put it back on then.’ He pushed the remote and returned to sorting the books, but his mind was back on Dominic. He’d always been a flirt, and he’d be all over Clara like a rash – and would give Sam the third degree about who she was and why they weren’t together. Sam let out a sigh. This wasn’t something to undertake lightly and he had to make sure her being there for the wedding was worth the hassle the rest of the time. The wedding was just one day to get through after all. He’d have to speak to her again.
When the film finished, Sam spent the last twenty minutes talking with the class about their thoughts and whether they felt it did justice to the book. A fairly lively debate ensued, which was quite miraculous this late in the day on the last week of term.
When the final bell rung, Sam said goodbye to the class and saw them out at the door as always. Some of them stopped for a chat on the way past until Sam had to chivvy them along.
He finished putting away the last of the books and then shoved his laptop into his bag. He’d find Clara, have a chat with her, and leave sharp. Very rarely did he ever go so early. Generallyit was nearer five thirty before he got out, but this close to the end, he didn’t feel bad about it, especially as he’d likely be late tomorrow. Gil had decided to organise a meeting for the principal teachers, which most of them thought was a little irritating this late in the term, but hey-ho, it was what they were paid to do after all.
Sam set off along the corridor, then downstairs, towards Clara’s office. He needed to catch her before he second-guessed himself on the whole idea, or at least to clarify exactly what she was signing up for. But when he got there, her door was shut, and the lights off.Great.
He turned back, considering what to do next, when a burst of loud singing drifted down the hall. Lissa. Who else? Now the kids were out, she was using the empty space as her auditorium, spreading joy in her own special way.
Sam applauded, and she spun around.
‘Ah, hello, Sam.’ She grinned. ‘Is it the holidays yet?’
‘Not long now. You haven’t seen Clara around, have you?’
Lissa’s eyebrows shot up, and she let out a little laugh. ‘No, I haven’t seen your pretend wife, actually.’
Sam rolled his eyes. ‘Not funny.’
Lissa laughed even harder, nudging him with her elbow. ‘Oh, come on, you know I’m not wrong.’
Sam took this as a pretty good indication of what his family would be like.
‘I “ship” you, you know.’ She used her fingers to air quote.
Sam frowned. ‘You what?’
She chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. ‘You know, it’s like when fans of a TV show want a couple to be in a romantic relationship. Like you can ship Harry Potter with Hermione and that kind of thing. I ship you and Clara.’
Sam rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh. ‘Riii-ght. Sometimes you worry me.’
‘Only sometimes? I’m slipping. What did you want Clara for, anyway? If I see her, I’ll let her know.’
Sam rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Oh… Just needed to discuss a pupil.’
Lissa let out a loud groan. ‘Max Lyndell, I suppose.’
Her voice carried down the corridor, and before Sam could answer, Kerr appeared behind them. ‘Is that you taking the devil’s name in vain?’
Lissa turned to him and laughed. ‘Pretty much.’
‘Well, don’t get me started on that little shit.’ He pulled a face. ‘Today, we were treated to his one-man show – make that one-completely-spoilt-youth show – of “why I shouldn’t be in school”.’
Sam raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t meant for this to open yet another Max-bashing session, though he knew how much trouble the lad was causing for his colleagues. ‘He certainly has issues.’
‘Apparently, being allergic to me is one of them.’ Kerr shook his head. ‘He told me he could only be in class if he sat at the back, and I didn’t look at him or talk to him because it made him want to throw up. Such a charmer.’
Lissa nodded. ‘Wasn’t he doing the same to Isaac?’
