‘Incident?’ I repeat, a tingle of apprehension running through me as I follow her down the corridor.
Miss Thompson stops as we round the corner to the headmistress’s office. Josh is sitting on a chair, his head down and his hands tucked under his thighs. ‘We’ve had a little bit of bullying in class,’ she says, with a sigh. ‘It’s not something we tolerate, obviously, so we’re speaking to the parents of the boy responsible, but…’
But what?Alarmed, I look away from my vulnerable boy and back to her.
‘Holly hit him,’ Miss Thompson informs me, her expression one of correct disapproval, though I see a smidgeon of admiration in her eyes. ‘She was sticking up for her brother, but you’ll understand that we can’t condone it. Could you have a word, do you think?’
‘Of course,’ I assure her, swallowing back my heart, which is wedged somewhere in my throat. ‘Can I?’ I nod towards Josh, my emotions in turmoil. I’m angry and mortified for my boy, who’s one of the smallest in his class and seems to get picked on, but also quietly proud of my daughter, who I never imagined would stick up for her little brother like this.
‘He’s fine.’ Miss Thompson nods me on. ‘No damage, apart from his glasses.’
I’m horrified as I realise the implication. ‘His glasses?’
Miss Thompson clearly understands my panic. ‘Oh no, he wasn’t in an actual fight,’ she reassures me quickly. ‘The boy was calling him names. Josh got upset. He took his glasses off to wipe them and dropped them, and… he stood on them, I’m afraid.’
Oh God. It had taken ages to get Josh to accept wearing glasses. He’d only fallen in love with them when we’d splashed out for some Harry Potter specs. Now, he would be devastated. My heart aching for him, I go to him, ruffle his hair and crouch down in front of him.
Josh wipes his arm under his nose and blinks at me through his lopsided glasses. ‘Sorry, Mum,’ he mumbles. ‘I know you’re short of money.’
Realising my children are much more intuitive and sensitive than I give them credit for, I swallow hard and take hold of his hands. ‘Not that short,’ I assure him. ‘In any case, I reckon the optician will easily be able to fix them.’
Josh brightens at that. ‘You reckon?’
‘I reckon.’ I’m sure can feel my boy’s heartbeat next to mine as he stands to give me a firm hug – something he rarely does anywhere near school now that he’s ‘growing up’ – and I squeeze him a little bit closer before he wriggles away.
‘Holly was ace,’ he says enthusiastically. ‘She smacked Nathan Miller right in the mouth.’ Josh quickly stops talking as the headmistress’s door opens and his sister appears.
Holly’s wearing a scowl. The headmistress is frowning behind her.
‘I’ve had a word with Holly about speaking to her teacher or coming to see me before she gives in to the inclination to hit people, Mrs Connolly,’ she says. ‘Do you think you could reinforce that at home?’
‘I most certainly will.’ I match her stern frown with one of my own, then take hold of Holly’s hand and offer Josh my other one. ‘I imagine her father will have something to say, too.’
Holly’s shoulders drop dejectedly at that. She drags her feet all the way back to the exit. ‘Are you going to tell Dad?’ she asks worriedly, once we’re outside.
‘Not sure.’ I glance sideways at her. ‘For the record, though, while I don’t want you doing that again – ever – I’m quite proud of you.’
‘You are?’ Holly’s eyes spring wide with surprise.
‘I am. Make sure to go to your teacher next time, or text me, but yes, I’m proud of you for sticking up for Josh. In fact, I think we’ll pop by Nan’s for a little apple pie and ice cream,’ I say, feeling inspired by Holly’s attitude. ‘It’s not a reward,’ I make sure to add. ‘Just a bit of a treat after a bad day. What do you think?’
‘Cool,’ the kids say in unison, and I feel marginally better that they’re healthy and happy, despite the problems between Jason and me.
Thus my unscheduled visit to Mum’s. I need to talk to her. I really need to talk to my father. I can’t punch him in the mouth for his constant bullying of Jason, but it’s time I start sticking up for my husband.
I just hope to God I still have one.
Eighteen
KARLA
‘Good Lord, you’re absolutely drenched.’ Mum looks me over, her eyebrows raised in concern as I let myself through the front door, herding Holly and Josh in before me. ‘What have you been doing, trying to drown yourself?’
‘It’s a thought.’ I smile wanly.
‘Karla? Everything all right, sweetheart?’ Mum asks worriedly.
‘Holly thumped Nathan Miller in the mouth,’ Josh supplies excitedly.
