by T L Blake
At break, Robyn remained in her room, hiding. She wasn’t ashamed to admit the truth. Afterwards, the Science Department had booked a special double session with Year ten. They were blocked off of the timetable to complete some practical coursework and Robyn was doubly grateful that she didn’t have her usual free period. She neither wanted to sit and think about Kat’s predicament nor get cornered by the police officers in front of the other staff.
By the end of the day, she had spoken to no-one over the age of eighteen and had managed to think of Kat as little as possible. She couldn’t say the same for thoughts about Andrew.
Thursday morning saw her arriving for work uncharacteristically early. Wanting to avoid other staff, she had come in early to descend to the staffroom and grab her mail before others arrived.
Heading back up the stairs, the building was so quiet that she was shocked when her hand touched someone else’s on the bannister. Snapping her head up, Robyn saw the dark, hate-filled eyes of Derek Ellis. He stood, statue still, on the step above her. She couldn’t even detect his breathing as he stared down, knowing that his presence alone was enough to make her nervous.
Robyn snatched her hand back as if burned and didn’t know what to do. Derek just kept staring at her like a lifeless mannequin. His stillness was more nerve racking than his usual obvious hatred. She still didn’t know why the man had such a strong negative reaction to her, but he was not someone she should attempt to reason with.
Tightening her grip on her paperwork, Robyn stepped to the side, expecting Derek to move and block her way. He didn’t. Instead, he stayed deathly still as she slowly stepped up and around him. When she stepped onto the same stair as Derek, she held her breath expecting a reaction, but still he didn’t move. Taking the next step to get away before making a run for it, Robyn worried that Derek’s changing tactics could only mean further enhancement of his bullying.
Unsettled, she dumped her paperwork onto her desk when she got back to her classroom and slumped onto her stool. The sun streamed in the windows but did nothing to thaw the ice in her veins. Derek had left her feeling cold and she no longer had Kat for support.
Sighing, Robyn picked up the papers she had grabbed from her pigeon hole and began reading. Memos about auditions for the forthcoming production and the next non-uniform day were on the top and she put them to one side, the next memo was personal.
The sharp black words swarmed and rose off of the page as she read the hand written note. Robyn’s mouth hung open. It was a half-page sheet from the office, signed by the Head Teacher, demanding a meeting straight after the final bell of school, today. She must not be late and she could bring union representation if she so wished.
It was the mention of union representation that stuck out. If Robyn needed her union, then it couldn’t be good news. She had pushed the Head too far and was about to be dismissed.
While teachers held a great deal of protection in their posts due to contracts, unions and employment law, Robyn was in a different position from most. The clear sequence that must be adhered to in order to remove a member of staff didn’t need to be followed in her case. Whereas for most, only gross misconduct could ensure a swift dismissal, Robyn was not a fully qualified teacher and therefore didn’t have the same protection as she would after she fully qualified. Not only was this her first year of teaching, but the post was temporary. Temporary positions were normal for new teachers as schools protected themselves from hiring hopeless individuals. It was, in most cases, a formality. As the Head had told her the day he had hired her, ‘It was her job to lose’. Robyn didn’t need to be dismissed. All the Head needed to do to get rid of her was to not make her contract permanent.
Looking at the typed memo, the precarious position Robyn was in became clear. With only part of a year in post and no permanent contract offered, she would struggle to find another position in teaching and her CV, through little fault of her own, was already a mess. Firing her or not giving her a contract would not only jeopardise her career in teaching, but as this was a last ditch attempt to get her high aspirations back on track after the last few years, it could ruin her life entirely.
Shocked to the core, Robyn taught her lessons in a daze. During her free period, she made sure that all of her books were marked up to date according to the department’s guidelines and she tidied up the noticeboards. She wasn’t going to give them any ammunition, because she really loved her job. Aside from all the politics and gossip, the pupils were great. She enjoyed seeing their enthusiasm when they did practical work. She was thrilled when their faces lit up when they finally understood something that had been giving them difficulty. It gave her immense satisfaction to know that, at the end of the day, each pupil left her room knowing something new.
This was her career and whole life they were messing with, but Robyn couldn’t see what she could do. She couldn’t involve her union representative, as a firm friend of Derek’s he would hardly sit in her corner, and there was no-one else to turn to.
When the bell rang to signify the end of the day, Robyn grabbed her keys and locked the door on her way out. Breathing deeply, carrying the same feeling of dread that had hung over her all day, she walked down the corridor to the office.
Mrs Young opened the door at her knock. The secretary smiled and stood self-satisfied as she stepped back and indicated a chair next to the door to the Head’s office. There was clearly very little that went on at the school that she didn’t know about.
Robyn held her hands firmly in her lap to stop the shakes and sat with her ankles crossed under the chair. The office was silent as the three occupants made no effort to hide their curiosity and had stopped all work. With all eyes on her, Robyn couldn’t stop her feet from bouncing up and down under the chair in nervous anticipation. She just wanted to get this over with. In fact, if she could have avoided the whole meeting, she would have just cleared out her desk and run out of the back door.
The handle of the Head Teacher’s door turned slowly downwards. The slight squeak of the metal handle swivelling on its axis caught Robyn’s attention. She was about to face her destiny.
The door had a half glass panel, but it was obscured. The lights in the secretary’s office were bright but those in the Head Teacher’s office were dark. Robyn could only make out the shadow of a figure standing on the other side of the glass.
‘Here we go,’ she thought.
The door opened silently, as Robyn’s heart pounded and her stomach fluttered, but it was not the Head who emerged. Black suit, dark shirt, no tie, collar unbuttoned, Andrew walked casually out of the office. He looked down but he did not stare as he passed. In his wake he left a trail of earthy, spicy scent.
It took Robyn a minute to realize that the Head was stood in the doorway, waiting for her to enter. She rose from her seat and walked tentatively in.
The office was large with one oversized desk surrounded by several chairs. It was easy to envisage larger meetings taking place around the desk. The desktop was immaculately clean holding just a laptop, small tray with water jug and glasses, and a single folder.
Robyn sat, as instructed, in one of the chairs facing the Head and noticed that the folder had her name on it.
The Head settled into his luxury padded chair and leaned back comfortably whilst Robyn perched on the smaller, chrome framed, chair that he had indicated.
“Are you bringing a union rep with you?” David Rowe looked at her down his sharp nose.
“No, I didn’t think it would help.” She didn’t want to sound defeated so said her words precisely and breathed deeply. She would not give away her panic.
The Head leaned forwards and rested his elbows on the table either side of the folder.
“Well, I don’t think you need one, now.” He opened the folder to reveal the CV and cover letter Robyn had submitted to apply for the job in the first place.
She sat in silence as he picked through her application, a spread sheet with data on it, that she couldn’t wo
rk out from her position, and some hand written pages.
“Well, what a pickle we appear to be in, Miss Darrow.” He leaned back in his chair and undid the button of his dark grey suit. He was wearing a white shirt, neatly pressed and his dark tie was attached to the shirt with an expensive looking gold tie bar. “You have caused a lot of distress in the last few days, young lady.” The head had an air of authority that he carried easily, but he always looked weary, gaunt, because of the dark patches around his eyes. Robyn felt a small wave of guilt for adding to his obvious burden.
“I have some stats here, from your Head of Department that show your pupils are doing very well under your tutelage and that your books are always marked up to date, with pupil’s knowing exactly what they need to do to improve.” He picked out the data sheet from the folder and waved it. “I have testimonials, from pupils of both school and sixth form, stating that they enjoy your lessons and they like the new ways you find to teach the subject. I even have pupils expressing interest in further study, as long as you are teaching the course. It seems that you are, in fact, achieving the goal I set for you at the beginning of the year.” He waved the hand written papers before returning them to the file. “And now, I have a well-liked and respected member of staff, whose opinion I value greatly, coming to tell me that you are a valuable member of our school and we would be foolish to lose you.”
Shocked, Robyn didn’t know if she was supposed to reply because her brain couldn’t focus. Andrew had been so angry when he left her standing on the grass. He couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Yet he’d come in here today to speak for her. And how was he such a highly respected member of staff when he’d only been there for two months? Okay he headed his own department, but damn it, she’d been there for triple the time he had and the Head clearly didn’t class her as highly respected or she wouldn’t be sat where she was now. Robyn warred with her inner anger as the Head continued.
“I have to admit, yesterday, I was not happy. But, I may have been too hasty in summoning you here. Mr Obursen informs me that you and Miss Harris were close and that her leaving has affected you personally. That is why I am going to let the incident on Monday go. I will put it down to shock at the news. The police being called in, I fear, was a little over the top, but as they informed me, they have to follow up on a report and they kept their disruption down to a minimum.” He shut the folder and looked at Robyn directly “There is no doubt that you are a competent and well liked teacher, but you need to act more professionally. Do you understand?”
“Um, yes, Sir” She responded quickly.
“The police have found nothing untoward in Miss Harris’s leaving us. I am certain that their enquiries will discover that Katherine left of her own volition. I would appreciate it if you could keep your opinions on the matter to yourself. The staff here do not need any more fuel for their gossip and I wouldn’t want to alarm any of the pupils. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’m certain that the police will contact you with the same opinion, as soon as they finish their investigation. I would like your assurance that this will be the end of the matter.” He leaned forwards and stared.
“Yes, absolutely.”
“I wouldn’t want to have to summon you again Miss Darrow. Let this be both a lesson and a warning to you. Do I make myself clear?” With that final threat he stood up and held out his hand. The meeting was over. Robyn didn’t miss the warning and shook his hand.
“Yes Sir.” She left.
Stunned, Robyn walked down the corridor to her room and sat at her desk. Staring out of the windows onto the little garden out the back, she replayed the conversation over and over in her head and every time came to the same conclusion; Andrew had just saved her career. The anger that had brewed at the thought of his apparent friendliness with the Head had dissipated. Now all Robyn was left with was gratitude.
Unable to focus on any work, she switched off the lights, locked the door from the inside and exited the building via the fire door.
The sky was beginning to darken as she walked down the ramp at the back of her room and across to the car park. Only a few cars remained, but she was taking little notice as she walked over to the MG.
Robyn was lifting the boot lid to put her bags in, when she heard a car door close quietly off to her right. Without paying too much attention, she continued to fill the boot until she became aware that the footsteps she had heard were heading in her direction. She looked up as Andrew glided over to her with long strides.
“Some day, huh?” His face was a mask, apart from one raised eyebrow.
“Some day,” she sighed, slammed the boot and leaned against the car. “I believe I owe you a thank you.” She owed him more than that, but it was a start.
“Perhaps you do.” There was a wry smile underneath the austerity.
Robyn shook her head from side to side smiling to herself. She was still at a loss as to why he would do such a thing for her or why she liked the fact so much that he had.
“I should take you for a drink, to say thank you properly.” Manners had been drilled into Robyn since birth and Andrew had done her more of a service than he could possibly imagine. She intended to thank him. “I mean, I probably owe you my job, so?”
“How about dinner tomorrow?” He knew he shouldn’t, but he’d spent two nights wondering what would have happened if he’d let go, let his control snap, whilst she was in his arms the day before yesterday. The memory of the heat of her body against his had plagued him throughout the two long nights and he knew that he no longer had the option of trying to avoid her, as if he ever had. Robyn Darrow had managed to get herself ingrained into his psyche and he wasn’t going to be able to shift her from there until he let this play out. A smile curved his lip at the thought.
“Dinner?” Her brow furrowed. Was she going to turn him down?
“Tomorrow, but I drive.” He stared, daring her to accept.
She wavered, he saw it immediately. She tried to avoid his eyes but focused on his mouth instead. He curled his lip further and watched her eyes widen in response. She liked a challenge.
“Okay,” she said, able to look him in the eye again now that her decision was made, “You drive, but I’m paying.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Robyn had been told to wear something she could walk in. It was infuriating to be ordered about, but she was determined to go to this dinner and keep her composure. She wanted desperately to stay at the Truscott-Tremain Academy and really make her mark. Andrew had done her a huge favour and she would accompany him this evening in order to thank him.
Just who was she kidding? She could tell herself that this was not a date, but it would be a lie. If it was just a thank you, why had she taken so much time to choose an outfit? And why was her stomach in knots?
She’d finally settled on dark, inky jeans tucked into knee high boots and a V-neck, long sleeved, knitted top that she knew to be bright red. It was both practical and figure hugging. She kept her make up light, but let her hair cascade down her back rather than pull it into its usual tie.
When she heard the knock, her heart leapt enough to cause damage and she took a moment to settle herself before answering.
Opening the front door, Robyn found Andrew leaning casually against the wall. He was wearing a similar outfit to that which he’d had on that first day she’d bumped into him on the beach. It did nothing to steady her already frayed nerves. Andrew could really wear a suit. There was no denying that he looked stomach-clenchingly good at work, but the jeans, boots and sweater ensemble that he now sported had her stomach not clenching, but melting and falling away.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” She had a need to know things, hated surprises, but she knew that there was little hope he would tell her. The quick quirk of his lip answered her question before his voice did.
“No.” His answer was smooth and gravelly calm, the cadence both pleasing and infuriating. In everything
he exuded control, and Robyn didn’t like to be controlled.
Andrew stepped back to allow Robyn out with a grace that reminded her of a predatory cat. He was all quiet strength and stealth and on the outside looked harmless, beautiful and even appealing, but there was a danger to him, something that simmered beneath the tightly controlled surface. It should have given her reason for alarm, but instead only made her curious.
“It’s early for dinner.” Robyn’s statement was meant to unbalance Andrew into giving her a clue as to their destination. It was, after all, only four, but Andrew had no difficulty thwarting her.
“Not for what we’re doing.” He grinned as she locked the house.
There was a chill in the air as Robyn walked to Andrew’s car and she was glad that she had brought her coat. She wrapped it around her shoulders before she noticed two rich, deep, almost black eyes looking longingly at her from the rear window.
“Max is coming?” she asked Andrew in surprise.
“Yes, he needs a walk.” He got in the driver’s seat without saying more. His curt responses were maddening, but Robyn knew that he did it only to get a rise out of her. She decided not to play his game and got into the car without responding.
After driving south for half an hour, Andrew swung the car into a layby. Already parked, were two cars and a white, nondescript food van labelled simply ‘Sue’s Van’. Robyn could see three sets of cheap plastic tables and chairs set out behind the van. Andrew got out and proceeded to walk around the car to open her door.
