When You Know

by Archer, Kiki

  “I’m sorry, I haven’t. I’ll be at the tribunal answering all of the questions as honestly as I can.”

  “Pfft, why does every one insist on calling it a tribunal? It’s a silly little get together between a bunch of old fuddy duddys one night next week. The fact they haven’t even confirmed the day yet should speak volumes.” He straightened his neck. “Susan, she’s setting me up.”

  “So shine on through. If you’ve done nothing wrong then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Why the desperation?”

  Marcus narrowed his eyes. “This is her talking, not you. She’s such a bad influence on you what with her feminist—”

  “Daisy!” said Susan, thrilled to see the little girl hobbling past one of the wooden ladders.

  “Shhhh!” snapped Marcus. “This is a library.”

  Susan ignored the scolding and signalled the little girl over. She pointed at the small black tablet tucked safely under Daisy’s arm pit. “Is this it? The new gadget you were telling me about? What is it? An iPad, or a kindle fire?”

  Daisy joined them at the workstation and leaned her crutches against the table, proudly pulling the electronic device from under her arm. “No, it’s a Nipper. My mum says it’s an exclusive.”

  Marcus took the black tablet from the little girl’s hands and peered down at it. “Yes, exclusive to Tesco. I’ve seen these on offer next to the fruit and veg.”

  “Please be careful, Professor, it’s taken us months to save up.”

  Marcus sniffed. “No 3G?”

  “It’s got a USB port. My mum says the iPads don’t even have a USB port.”

  “It looks lovely, Daisy,” said Susan. “Why don’t you take a seat and talk me through it?”

  Marcus continued to tilt the tablet and look at it in disgust. “Won’t last more than a week. Real low end.”

  Daisy smiled. “Well I like it, and my mum even cried a little bit when she watched me unwrap it. It’s the best present I’ve ever had. Could I have it back please, Professor?”

  Marcus handed it over and wiped his fingers on his jacket. “Why are you still here? You’re a day girl. It’s Friday night.”

  Daisy smiled. “I’ve uploaded all of Bob’s display designs for the flower patches. I’m going down to the gardens now. Me and Timmy are in charge. You can come too if you want, Madam Quinn. I can show you all of the stuff it can do. It’s got this great game called Snake where you have to guide this line to the dots and—”

  Marcus guffawed. “How retro.”

  “Maybe another time, Daisy. I really do have to finish my work. Professor Ramsbottom will open those heavy doors for you. He was just on his way out.”

  Marcus clenched his jaw. “Fine. See you anon, Madam Quinn. A true gentleman always knows when to take his leave.” He clipped his feet together and walked in the opposite direction to the doors.

  Susan quickly climbed out of her seat and sat on the table next to Daisy. “Do you think you’ve got five minutes to show me that game?”

  Daisy giggled. “Okay, but I’ll have to be quick. The smokers always meet about now at the bottom of the wall, and I want to get past before they arrive.”

  “Oh do they now? Right, you go. Get on your way.” Susan tapped the side of her nose. “And thanks for the tip off. I knew you’d see sense. I’ll finish my email and take a wander on down.”

  “No, Madam Quinn, I wasn’t dropping them in it. I don’t want them to think I’m a snitch.”

  Susan lifted the crutches and passed them to Daisy. “They won’t know. I’ll give you a ten minute head start.”

  “No, please, they’ll know it’s me.”

  “They won’t. I’ll wait a while.”

  Daisy shrugged. “They can be quite mean, I guess.” She pushed up her glasses and grinned. “Fifteen minutes at least. I’m still pretty slow.”

  “They’ll still be there?”

  “They’re always there on a Friday night.”

  Susan nodded. “I’ll get back to my email then.”

  Daisy tucked the precious tablet under her arm. “But please don’t get me into trouble, Madam Quinn. I’m not sure I could handle it if they got any worse.”

  “Oh Daisy, that’s why they need pulling down a peg or two. You know how strict we are about smoking. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “No, nothing really. I need to go. Timmy’s waiting for me and he’ll worry if I’m late.” She paused. “But thank you for caring. Timmy cares too. I’m lucky to have you both looking out for me.”

  “Oh Daisy, I’m here whenever you need me.”

  “I know,” said Daisy with a smile. “I need to get going.”

  Susan squeezed the little girl’s shoulder. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure,” said Daisy, hobbling away.

  Susan returned to her seat and watched the little girl exit the library, before gasping and spinning around at the sound of a loud bang. “Marcus! What are you doing!?”

  Marcus was frantically picking up a pile of books that had fallen from a trolley behind her. “Blasted thing. I didn’t see it there.”

  “I thought you’d gone. Why are you loitering?”

  “You won’t let me use your internet. I’m finding my facts the traditional way.” He brushed off his hands. “All done now though,” he said, turning around and marching towards the exit.

  Susan sighed to herself before quickly remembering where she’d been. She smiled and lifted her fingers back to her keyboard.

  “9. Every time you ask me a new question because you want to get to know me more.

  10. Every time you listen, I know you really care.

  11. Every time you humour me, even though you know I’m being ridiculous.

  12. Every time you talk about the future. Our future.

  13. Every time you contact me, especially when it’s unexpected.

  14. Every time you—”

  “Madam Quinn! Quick, it’s Daisy!” Susan looked up at the double doors at Champagne Willington who had pushed her way into the library and was now panting for breath. “Quick! She needs help!”

  Susan jumped up. “What? What is it?”

  “Quickly, come on!” Champagne was waving her hand, guiding her teacher out onto the wide stone path that ran the length of the school. “Hurry! She’s collapsed!”

  “What? Where?” Susan was running alongside her student, past the main entrance and down the steep steps towards the long, winding drive. “Is she okay?”

  “I don’t know. She’s in the soil patch!”

  “What?” gasped Susan, trying to catch her breath, passing the tall stone wall that sheltered the school’s bins. She glanced around, aware of some giggling girls. “Daisy!” she shouted, clambering across the small mound of soil. “Are you okay?”

  Daisy was on her stomach, clutching her tablet into her chest. “My computer’s okay, my computer’s okay. At least my computer’s okay.”

  Susan crouched down and wiped some of the soil from Daisy’s face. “Oh dear, it looks like your glasses are cracked.”

  “But my computer’s okay.”

  “What on earth happened? Can you move?” asked Susan, reaching out for the crutches.

  Daisy sniffed. “I slipped. I just need some help to stand please.”

  Susan heard the giggles again. “Were you pushed? Did someone push you?”

  “No, Madam Quinn. I just slipped.”

  “Daisy, you’re knee deep in soil.”

  She shrugged. “I slipped.”

  Susan helped the little girl stand and looked over at the small group of girls hovering by the wall. “Come over here, right now,” she demanded. “Did you girls see anything? Someone tell me what’s gone on.” Susan frowned. “Willamena, is that you? Willamena Edgington? What are you doing out here? I wouldn’t have you down as a smoker.”

  Willamena cocked her head. “I don’t smoke. Are you accusing me of smoking? I’ll get my parents to complain if you are. Who’s been telling you I smoke?”
She sniggered. “Maybe Daisy’s trying a new tan? The mud rub.”

  The group of girls giggled in unison.

  “Enough, and for goodness sake, how many times do I need to tell you to wash that tattoo off your hand?” She pointed at the H8SKUWL biro-drawn logo scrawled into Willamena’s skin. “Get inside all of you.” She looked up at Champagne who was still panting. “What exactly did you see?”

  “Nothing. Professor Ramsbottom told me.”

  “Told you what?”

  “To grab you. I think he ran off for the nurse.”

  ****

  Marcus caught his breath and glanced around the library, plunging his hand into the breast pocket of his tweed jacket and pulling out the memory stick that had been burning a hole in there for the past few weeks. He swiped his finger over the mouse pad, thrilled that the computer hadn’t gone to sleep. He scanned the page, drawn into the intensity of the emotional email. He stopped himself. This wasn’t what he was here for. He minimised the page and clicked on the webcam tab, scrolling quickly to the camera roll instead.

  Marcus groaned deeply, staring at the picture of the pork chop. “Mon amie, mon amie, mon amie,” he whispered, “this, you forgot to delete.” He glanced around once more before plugging his memory stick into the computer and selecting all of the images.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Susan jumped up onto the tall stool in her kitchen and switched on her Skype. Dealing with Daisy had taken an awful lot longer than she’d expected. The little girl couldn’t see through her specs, so Susan had guided her to the medical room, expecting Danielle to be there with Marcus, but neither were anywhere to be seen, so she’d ended up sorting her out all by herself. Daisy had insisted she was fine, but after ten non-hypoallergenic wet wipes and three normal plasters, Susan had decided to call her mum and request that she come and collect her. Daisy had started to get upset until her tablet beeped with a message from Timmy telling her that he’d keep her company while she waited. Susan had realised then, that this was her cue to leave.

  7.30 p.m., thought Susan, looking at the star-shaped clock hanging on the wall. 8.30 p.m. in Morzine. Jenna should still be around. She settled herself down on the stool and lifted her fingers to her laptop, clicking on Jenna’s jpeg and waiting for the beeps to connect. “Hey, beautiful,” she said as Jenna finally appeared in the screen.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” said Jenna, waving both hands and starting to laugh.

  “What?”

  “Why do I always feel the need to wave like a lunatic whenever I say hello on Skype or FaceTime? It’s not like I used to meet you for breakfast in the morning at Sylvie’s, frantically waving my hands as I said hello.”

  Susan laughed. “But when you get your training placement here I want you to wave in my face every time we pass in the staffroom.”

  Jenna shouted into the screen. “I’VE GOT IT!”

  “What?” gasped Susan.

  “The School Direct Programme! I’ve got an interview! You said if I get an interview it means I’ve got it! It means they want me!”

  “When?! Wow!” Susan took hold of the sides of her laptop and shook the screen. “I’m so happy for you, Jenna! This is amazing news!”

  Jenna was beaming from ear to ear, displaying her dimple in all its glory. “It gets better. It’s Thursday!”

  “Thursday? This Thursday?!” Susan was squealing like a little girl.

  “THIS THURSDAY!”

  “NO!”

  “YES!”

  Susan clasped her hand over her mouth and held back the tears. “I’m so proud of you, Jenna. So, so proud.” She shook her head. “It’s happening. It’s really happening. You’re going to work here. With me. We’ll be together.”

  Jenna was nodding. “I hope so. The letter was here when I got back this afternoon.” She lifted it up and flapped it in front of the screen. “It says they support my application and would like to meet for an official discussion and confirmation.”

  “So it doesn’t even say the word interview?”

  “No!”

  “I told you! They know you! You’re an old girl. Of course you were going to get it!”

  “I’ll fly over Wednesday and stay for the weekend!”

  Susan couldn’t hide her smile. “I love you so much, Jenna! This is amazing news.” She clenched her fist and shook it in front of the screen. “I knew you’d get it! Didn’t I tell you you’d get it?!”

  “Shall we have a celebratory shag?” said Jenna with a smile.

  Susan nodded. “Why not! But you’ll have to be quick. I’m meeting Felicity, Jemima and Flavia soon.”

  “Flavia Simkins?”

  “Yes, she came to Felicity’s pamper night last week. We’re all becoming rather good friends. I’m sure I told you.”

  Jenna grinned. “Susan, your social life’s becoming so full that it’s hard to keep up.”

  “Don’t tease me.”

  “I’m not! I can’t wait to get back over there and into the mix. We’re going to grow such a great network of friends.” She smiled and dropped her chin into her hands, sighing into the screen. “Susan, life’s perfect. Isn’t life perfect?”

  Susan nodded. “It’s sure looking that way, now do that kinky little dance of yours to seal the deal.”

  “You want me to talk again, like last time?”

  Susan nodded. “Yes, but this time be more specific. Use words like this Wednesday, and your apartment.” She paused. “And I like it when you use the words harder, deeper, rougher.”

  “Your wish is my command,” said Jenna, repositioning her laptop.

  “Oh, hang on a minute, something’s just come under the door.” Susan climbed down from her stool. “I better check it.” She spoke loudly as she walked out of view. “Last time it was a fire alarm notice.” Susan picked up the large brown envelope and ran her finger under the tab, feeling the damp tackiness.

  “What is it?” asked Jenna, smiling as Susan sat down.

  “Not sure. But it’s just been sealed. Let me check.” She pulled out the pages of A4, instantly dropping the envelope in panic.

  “What? What is it?”

  Susan was frantically shaking her head. “NO!”

  “What? Susan? What are you holding?”

  Susan was shaking the print outs in her hand. “NO!”

  “What? What is it?”

  Susan gasped in horror and turned the first piece of paper towards her laptop screen.

  “Hold it further back. I can’t make it out.”

  Susan slammed her palm against the paper. “It’s my pussy! MY PUSSY!”

  “What? Susan, stop. It’s not.”

  Susan was shaking the piece of paper at the screen. “It’s my pussy! It’s my fucking pussy! And these are my fucking tits!” She thrust the second piece of paper towards the webcam. “Oh look, and now a full frontal!” She shouted “OF ME!”

  “Susan, stop it, calm down.”

  “Calm down? How can I calm down? Someone’s just sent these under the door! I sent them to you, Jenna. TO YOU!”

  “When? Today? In the post?”

  “No!” Susan was flicking through the images. “Ages ago! The ones you said you deleted!”

  “Which ones? When? I do delete. I delete everything.”

  Susan was gasping. “You obviously didn’t! I sent these to YOU!”

  “When?”

  Susan widened her eyes. “Marcus! The ones he saw! We deleted the messages. You talked me through it. Remember? It’s you! It must have come from you!”

  “What? Susan, what are you talking about? I delete everything you send me. Always.”

  “Amber! She’s seen your laptop, or your phone. You must have saved them.” Susan climbed off the stool and started to pace. “She’ll send them to the principal. She’ll plaster them everywhere. She’ll—”

  “SUSAN!” Jenna was right in the screen. “STOP!”

  Susan stood still and looked back at her laptop.

  “Stop, re-live, an
d remember.” Jenna was calmly beckoning Susan closer. “Look at me. Look at my eyes. Feel what we feel.” Jenna smiled gently. “Know what we know.” She paused for a moment. “You trust me. You know you trust me. So just listen. I delete every single picture. Every single message. Every single thing that’s of a slightly risky nature. No matter how hot. I delete moments after viewing, or watching, or reading. I delete, Susan. This hasn’t come from me.”

  Susan shook her head and continued to pace. “But—”

  “Stop. Stand still. Calm down.” Jenna was signalling Susan back over to the stool. “Sit down. We’ll sort this out.”

  “How the HELL are we going to sort this out?! I’ve just had pictures of my pussy posted under the door!”

  “Susan, sit down. Trust me, we’ll sort this out.”

  Susan looked at the big brown eyes and paused. “How? Tell me how.”

  “Sit down, we’ll talk through it.” Jenna nodded encouragingly as Susan reluctantly climbed back onto the stool. “Show me each picture, one by one.”

  Susan held up the first image of her bra and cleavage. “One, my tits.”

  “Someone’s tits.”

  “No, my tits.”

  “You can’t see your head. They’re just someone’s tits.”

  Susan held up the next picture. “Two. My tits and my tummy.”

  “No, there’s no head. That’s just someone else’s tits and someone else’s tummy.”

  “Fine, three, a biology text book close up of my reproductive system.”

  “Looks like a pork chop to me, or maybe some beef curtains.”

  Susan tried not to smile. “Stop it. Four. A straight up shot of my legs, pussy and the bottom of my boobs.”

  “You straddled your laptop didn’t you? I remember now. Up on your counter.” Jenna shrugged. “But it’s not you. It’s just a mystery lady. A very hot mystery lady.”

  “Jenna, it’s me!”

  “But no one else knows it’s you. Look at them. Look at them again. A faceless beauty.”