“I think you should apologise to your brother and see if he apologises to you.” There was a distinctive, unhappy wail from behind her so she left the rest of her lecture unsaid.
Kayleigh Farnworth was a tiny year three pupil and had Rayah not known her since she was an even tinier nursery pupil, she would’ve said she was four instead of seven. Crying at the drop of a hat was something she was skilled in and it took very little for her to burst into tears and then spend the rest of the day mimicking a waterfall.
Rayah left Letty to sort out the fall out she’d had with Kale and headed over to the balled up little girl who was pretty much sitting on a frozen puddle. She crouched down, getting as close to Kayleigh’s level as she could.
“Kayleigh, what’s the matter?”
The little girl shook her head.
“Do you want to come inside with me and we can get you warm and dry?”
There was another head shake.
“Okay, Kayleigh. Look at me.” Demands worked rather than suggestions. They were easy, unless a child was demand avoidant.
Kayleigh looked up.
“Can you tell me what the matter is?”
Kayleigh shook her head.
“Okay. We’re going to go inside and I’m going to get you a drink of water. Did you have lunch?”
Another shake.
“How about we see what Cook’s got left in the kitchen? I’m sure she’ll have some of the chocolate sponge left.”
Thursday lunches were always the best as it was pudding day, the one treat of the week as they were trying to be a ‘healthy school’ and Rayah suspected they were a treat more for the teachers than the children, a way to celebrate surviving the week.
Kayleigh’s eyes looked a little more hopeful than upset.
“Let’s find out and see if Cook will give us a helping. I bet she might.” She offered her hand to the girl who took it, following her into school still looking like she might start crying at any point.
Rayah went straight into the dining hall to where Cook was cleaning up. “Are you okay, Miss Maynard?” Cook had been working at the primary school since Rayah had been a pupil there herself and effectively ran the place at certain times. As a staff team, they were pretty convinced that if she ever retired, the school would have to shut down.
“Kayleigh’s a little upset. Do you think she could have some chocolate pudding?”
Cook nodded. “I’ve some left. I noticed she didn’t have any dinner. Do you want me to make you a cheese sandwich too?”
Kayleigh shook her head.
“Just cake? Well, that won’t do. A tiny sandwich first, then I’ll bring you both some pudding. I’m sure Miss Maynard can manage another piece.” The look she gave Rayah was accusatory.
Rayah smiled sweetly. It would be her third helping. Because it was Friday, and she was seeing Jonny later she figured that the extra calories would be useful.
She sat down at a table with Kayleigh and waited until she’d eaten the sandwich, the food doing something to sooth whatever was worrying her. The rest of the dining hall was quiet; all the children either outside playing or doing indoor activities. Only Cook milled about the room, carrying on her tidying after she’d brought two huge helpings of dessert over.
“Can you tell me what’s upset you?” Rayah put down her spoon. There was no medicine like it.
Kayleigh shook her head. “Father Kendrick will be cross.”
Rayah’s poker face remained fixed. Father Kendrick was one of the preachers in the religious organisation – or cult, as Alex preferred to call it – and was not the friendly face of the place. She thought, she couldn’t worry the child into telling her, that would be unethical, but she was worried that this was something untoward. Usually, when Kayleigh cried, it was because someone had smiled at her wrong, but this felt different.
“Kayleigh, I’m sure Father Kendrick wouldn’t want you to be upset.” Actually, Rayah was sure Father Kendrick wouldn’t give a shit. The other two ministers were pleasant men who linked with the town and would become involved in charity events or helping the elderly, even if they didn’t belong to the Church of the Seven Saints. Father Kendrick was new to Felley Manor and very aloof, ignoring any women who passed him by and looking at general secular Severton stuff as if it was covered with dog shit.
“I’m scared…” The girl started to cry again.
Rayah rubbed her back. “You don’t need to be scared. Whatever is the matter, we can look after you and make sure that you’re safe.”
