‘It was intense.’
‘I’m really not looking forward to it,’ Mirren said. ‘This will be my first one.’
‘And mine.’ Polly pulled a face.
‘Is Adele in yet, do you know?’ Mirren asked Clara.
‘I haven’t seen her. But I’m just in myself. I’m heading along to my office. If I see her, I’ll tell her you’re looking for her.’
‘I need to see her about Max.’ Mirren pulled a face, and Clara mirrored it.
‘I think half the teachers in the school want to talk about Max.’
‘He’s a little shit.’ Mirren glanced at the door, then lowered her voice. ‘Sorry, not sorry.’ She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder. ‘You should have heard Kerr laying into him the week before half term. I’ve never known Kerr to lose his shit. You know how laid back he is, but he went mental in the corridor outside my room, and I’ve never heard that before.’
‘Oh dear.’ Clara sucked on her lip. ‘What was it about?’
‘I’m not even sure. I could just tell he was mad. Maybe that’s why Max’s parents were on the phone to Adele yesterday.’
‘Maybe.’ Clara lifted her bag. ‘I need to sort his case notes today and see what we can do for him. This has gone too far. I’ll set up a chat with him and see if I can get him to open up.’
‘Good luck with that.’ Mirren gave her a commiserative look.
‘Thank you, my lovelies. I’ll see you later.’
She made her way to her office, saying hi to a few people on the way. Before she focused on Max, she needed to work with Isabella. And she also had to find out what Adele’s take was on the Max situation. And that was just two of the many pupils in the school.
Adele wasn’t in her office, so Clara went into her own and opened up her laptop. She had an action plan for Isabella to finalise when she came in. And she really should spruce up the room. It looked a bit messy, and she didn’t fancy the inspectors seeing it like this. She got up and filed some papers and tidied the surface of her cupboard. Maybe she should go through some of these old folders. All procrastinating, of course, because she was really struggling to see where to go next with Max.
At quarter past nine, Isabella and her mum arrived. Clara heard them chatting with the secretary through her open door and went out to meet them.
‘Good morning.’ Clara approached them with a smile. ‘Please come in. How are you both?’
Mrs Denby gave a little shrug. ‘Coping, but it’s not easy.’
‘Take a seat.’ Clara indicated the chairs. ‘I understand it’s a terribly difficult time for you, but let’s try to make the transition back to school as gentle as we can. Hopefully, we can make it something positive and not just an added worry.’ She sat on the soft seat next to Isabella, who had her eyes downcast. ‘How do you feel about it?’
‘I dunno.’
Clara clasped her hands in her lap. ‘Well, we don’t need to rush anything. We can take things at whatever pace feels comfortable. Maybe keep things flexible to begin with and see how it goes.’
Mrs Denby nodded. ‘Maybe… maybe just a couple of classes at first?’ she suggested. ‘I don’t want to overwhelm her, but… I also don’t want her falling behind.’
Clara nodded, glancing at Isabella. ‘That sounds sensible. We can arrange for work at home for a little while too but coming in for a couple of classes would be great. I think it’s important to start seeing friends again, and they’ll want to see you.’
Isabella looked up, glancing briefly at her mum before speaking. ‘I… I think I’d like to go to Miss Ritchie’s class. She’s kind.’ She twisted her fingers together.
‘Of course.’ Clara nodded, and true. Polly was a lovely teacher.
‘And… maybe Mr Addison’s. He’s always nice.’
‘Sensible choice.’
‘But only if… you know… if they don’t mind.’ Isabella gave her a brief glance.
‘They won’t mind,’ Clara said gently. ‘I’ll have a quick word with them to make sure everything’s in place for you.’
Isabella’s shoulders relaxed a little, and she nodded.
