They sit in silence for a moment. Seb feels like he’s taken a hallucinogen, each one of Mrs Greene’s words like a tiny drug lifting him into a new world of technicolour, an unvisited place of courage and possibility. She’s right. He is going to have to disappoint some people, but it’s up to him to decide which people he lets down. Mrs Greene stands slowly and says, ‘Well, that’s my two pennies’ worth. Hope I didn’t say too much – I do get riled up sometimes. It’s my half-day today so I’m heading off home now. Don’t forget the cleaners will be in later, so lock all confidential stuff away, and I very much hope to see you back in tomorrow.’
Chapter 15
Abi’s grating cheese for Margot’s packed lunch when her phone buzzes with a new email. This time it’s from Sebastian Kent and the title is ‘A Response to the Petition’. The timing feels intentional; the petition was sent at a similar time yesterday morning and has passed around countless WhatsApp groups since – including one for Lily’s class that Abi is part of. After just a couple of minutes the thread was covered in horrified emojis and ‘WTF?’ comments. The school gates have been fizzing with speculation and Abi knows, being new and still an unknown quantity, she doesn’t hear the worst of it. She feels like her lungs are collapsing again as she opens Seb’s email. She reassures herself that she can still whisk her daughters away if she needs to, if this is the moment Seb has cracked and given up her name to distract attention away from himself. She reads it hurriedly, one palm flat, pressing against the countertop.
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
I’m writing to invite you to a school assembly this morning at 9.15 a.m., when I shall deliver a response to the petition that was posted about me yesterday morning. The students will also be in attendance, and I hope you are able to join us in the main school hall. I’m aware this is all last-minute and I apologize for any disruption caused, but it feels important to respond to the petition quickly. For those unable to attend, or for those who do not wish to come this morning, I would be happy to arrange another time to meet in person at your convenience.
With best wishes,
Sebastian Kent
‘Don’t grate your finger again, Mummy!’ Margot says, taking a fistful of grated cheese before Abi can stop her.
‘Margot!’ Abi whips around to face her grinning daughter, the grater clattering to the floor along with most of the cheese. ‘It’s not funny! That’s the last of the cheese – you’re not going to have a sandwich now.’ A thin strip is stuck to Margot’s pouting bottom lip. ‘And you’re still in your pyjamas – come on!’
The cheese starts to quiver on Margot’s lip and drops to join the other strips on the floor before Margot erupts into tears and turns and runs away. Abi is left rummaging under the sink for the dustpan and brush, guilt setting in fast, and wondering again if she can pack them up today, get them all on a train back to London, back to anonymity tonight.
After she drops Margot at school Abi walks to the park and tries to call Diego, but it’s far too early for him to be awake, especially as he was in the restaurant late last night. Her phone is still in her hand when it buzzes with a WhatsApp from Lily.
U heard about this petition about Mr Kent? SO wild! U coming to assembly thing?
Abi replies with a shocked emoji face and is about to type out a proper reply when her phone buzzes again, this time with an unsaved number.
Hi Abi, I just want to reassure you that I will never mention you in connection to any of this school stuff and I’m sorry things have escalated in this way. Seb.
Abi stares at Seb’s message and decides that, no, she still won’t go to the assembly. She deletes his message. It would be awful. Rosie will of course be there, as well as Anna and Eddy. Her presence could send them into a rage and Anna is already unpredictable; it’s too dangerous. Abi picks up pace and is walking towards the restaurant when someone starts calling her name.
‘Abs! Where do you think you’re going?’ Lotte’s voice is a pithy whine.
‘Morning, Lotte. I was just heading into work, actually …’
‘Oh no you don’t!’ Lotte smiles like she’s about to hand Abi a great, delicious treat. ‘We’re going to go and find out what naughty Seb has to say for himself.’
‘I thought I wouldn’t …’
‘Don’t be mad, of course you’re going! As your boss I command it!’
Abi wants to slap her away but instead she lets Lotte take her arm and lead her back along the path, towards the school.
‘I just spoke to Anna; she’s absolutely spitting feathers. She’d just arrived in London when she got the email. She says he planned it; knew she goes into London early for work on a Thursday. She’s waiting to jump straight on the next train back to Waverly, but still, she won’t arrive back into the station until ten-ish, so she’ll miss the whole assembly. God, it’s all just so exciting!’
Mrs Greene is at reception ushering them all in as Abi hangs back, letting the other parents go before her.