Sam nodded. ‘Something very like that, yes.’ But he didn’t elaborate, as he’d just spotted Clara and Adele walking toward them, deep in conversation. Clara’s main focus was on Adele, but she noticed Sam and the others out of the corner of her eye, and she waved to them.
‘Poor, poor Isaac.’ Lissa let out a long sigh. ‘He’s such a quiet and nice man, but it means he’s an easy target for kids like Max.’
‘He can be tough though,’ Sam said, ‘and stubborn in his own way.’ His attention shifted towards Clara as she and Adele came closer.
‘We’re just discussing your favourite pupil again,’ Kerr said to Adele.
She raised her eyes to the ceiling. ‘What’s he done this time? And please god, do not say it’s something I have to call his parents about. If I never see his father again, it’ll be far too soon.’
Sam caught Clara’s eye for a second, and she gave him a tiny wink and a smile, which almost made him start laughing but he collected himself.
‘I’m past caring.’ Kerr thew out his hands. ‘Just get me to the holidays and he’ll be on exam leave soon after. Maybe when he comes back for fifth year, he’ll be reborn.’
Adele sighed, a faint crease appearing between her brows. ‘So, who wants to talk to me about him?’
Sam held up his hand. ‘It wasn’t actually Max I wanted to talk about. Lissa just assumed that.’ He gave her a little smile. ‘And it was Clara I needed to see… about someone else.’
‘Thank god for that.’ Adele pushed her black curly hair behind her ear. ‘I’ve had enough for one day.’
‘Shall we go and talk then?’ Clara smiled at him. ‘In my office if you want.’
‘Um, yeah. Thanks.’
Her heels clipped along the corridor, and Sam glanced back. Lissa was still watching, eyebrows raised and a know-it-all smirk on her face.
When they reached Clara’s office, she pushed open the door. ‘So, who is it you want to talk about?’
He shut the door behind them. ‘Actually, it’s nobody. I just wanted to talk to you without anyone else listening.’ He took a breath, scratching the back of his neck.
‘Oh, right.’ She sat down on one of the comfy seats. ‘What about?’
‘About this wedding… I’ve been thinking.’
‘I won’t be offended at all if you don’t want me to come. I just thought it might help.’
He leaned forward, with his wrists on his knees. ‘That’s just it. It will help, and I do want you to come. But it’s not just a wedding. I don’t want you to feel like you have to stick around for the whole time I’m there. If you’d rather just come for the day and then head back, I can sort that. I could run you to Bristol, and you could fly back. Or I’ll book you a hotel if you’d prefer not to stay with me…’ He pulled a helpless face. ‘I mean, the cottage I booked is really small. I booked it because I can walk to the reception from there, which means I can have a drink – I figured I might need one or two. But there’s only one bedroom. I think I read that they can unzip the bed, so it doubles out, but even that might be too much. I could sleep on the sofa. Why are you laughing?’ He couldn’t help smiling too. Her sunny smile always affected him like that.
She crossed her arms, tilting her head to the side. ‘Sam, you are so sweet. It’s actually adorable. But I don’t mind sharing a room if you don’t. I’d happily stay in the cottage, meet your family if you want, whatever’s easiest for you. Honestly, I’m just glad to tag along. It sounds like fun, and I’ve not got anything else booked this year at all. I suppose I just saw it as an opportunity for a holiday.’
Sam blinked. ‘Really?’
‘Really.’ She leaned over and patted his knee.
He met her eyes, and her lips tugged out even further.
‘But only if that’s what you want.’
He nodded. ‘Yeah. I do.’
For a moment, he just looked at her, and his heart tumbled down a few steps. It really was what he wanted. Expressing just how much was impossible to put into words, but hopefully his smile said it all for him.
Chapter Eleven
Clara
Clara opened her office door on the final morning before the Easter break, stopping short at the sight of her desk. A large chocolate egg in very fancy packaging was sitting right in the middle. She laughed under her breath, shaking her head as she set down her bag.
Before she could start checking for a note, a knock sounded at the door. She looked around to see Tanya, the rather harassed looking secretary.
