I get up suddenly from the armchair and turn towards him. His expression makes it perfectly clear to me that he had no idea who I was.
“H-headmaster Hill?” he asks, almost choking on his words.
I nod, turning my attention to the girl beside him.
“Skylar Spencer?” I reach out my hand, and she accepts it. “And you must be…” I think I might vomit, right here on the floor of my office.
“Niall Kerry. Her father.”
I swallow down the bile rising up in my throat and shake his hand, too.
“Please, sit down,” I manage – miraculously – without passing out.
I walk around the desk and sit down, as they take their seats across from me. I clear my throat and start to go through the file: none of which mention the name of her father.
“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice,” Niall says, clearly uncomfortable, “and for giving us a chance.”
“Up against the wall.” My legs are trembling, but he holds me up swiftly with one arm. “I’ve got you. Trust me.”
I cross my legs under the desk in a desperate attempt to quell the flames leaping into my underwear.
“No problem.”
I decide to look at him – I can’t avoid eye contact for much longer. I ignore the file, and let him tell me what’s going on.
“My…daughter,” he says hesitantly – even his daughter can see how much he’s struggling, “is going through a tough time.”
“How come she has a different surname?”
Why can’t I keep my mouth shut?
His face grows pale. “W-what?”
“Skylar Spencer,” I say, without needing to look at the file.
“It’s her mother’s name.”
“Are you sure you’re the father?” My voice escapes me, harshly.
“Jordan, please. Listen…”
“Why should I? It’s none of my business!”
“Are you angry?”
“No, of course not!”
“Because you seem to be getting wound up.”
I jump to my feet. “I just have a problem with liars.”
He gets up, too.
“I never lied to you – and if you weren’t so intent on getting rid of me, maybe I’d have had the chance to tell you more about me, to explain why I came back.”
“Excuse me,” Anya’s voice floats in from the doorway before we can continue. “I was wondering if you’d like me to take Skylar on a tour of the school. What do you think?”
Skylar jumps out of her seat.
