Page 87 of The Bone Season

‘You’re bleeding, Schoolmistress,’ I said.

‘What?’ When she looked down, blood dripped on to her crisp white shirt. ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake. I do apologise, Dr Nygård.’

Nick glanced at me, face wary, and offered her a handkerchief.

‘Perhaps you should sit down, Schoolmistress,’ he said. ‘I’ll join you in the conservatory.’

‘Yes, of course. Thank you.’

As soon as the Schoolmistress was gone, Nick turned to face me, his smile disappearing. Other students were spilling into the corridor.

‘I’ll meet you tomorrow at four,’ he said in an undertone. ‘Coram Street. Can you make it?’

‘I’ll be there,’ I said.

He gave me a nod and was gone. I was left to cradle my books, my hands clammy, my heart pounding. Suzette came up to me.

‘Well?’ she prompted. ‘Does he know Colin?’

‘No.’ I cleared my throat. ‘I just wanted to ask him something.’

‘Let’s not pretend you’ll be at the University, Paige.’ Clara shouldered past me. ‘Some people were born to lick the bottom of the pot.’

Clara Barnes was lucky that I let her walk away.

I didn’t sleep on Monday night, fearing he might not come back. On Tuesday, I endured my classes, unable to concentrate. When the bell rang, I forced myself to walk calmly out of the gates, but sped up as soon as I left Russell Square.

Something unusual had happened that morning. I had daydreamed about a silver car. The picture had come to me during my French lesson, leaving me nauseated. Now that very car was parked in Coram Street.

Nick wore sunglasses today. I got into the passenger seat and faced him.

‘Tell me what happened in Arthyen,’ I said, winded from walking so fast.

‘If you really want to know, I will,’ Nick said, his tone careful. ‘But the truth might scare you, Paige.’ Seeing my expression, he breathed out. ‘Let Colin know you’ll be home by seven. I’ll drive you.’

I sent my father a message, telling him I was doing my homework with Suzette. He replied to say that he would leave my dinner in the fridge.

Nick drove me east through the citadel. I wanted to bombard him with questions, but I could hardly think straight, let alone speak. After a while, Nick said, ‘You never told Colin what happened, did you?’

‘How do you know?’

‘We cross paths at work.’ His hands tightened on the wheel. ‘Paige, what I’m going to tell you – you won’t understand it all in one day.’

‘I’ve waited years,’ I said.

‘I know.’

As a child, my grandparents had often caught me staring at nothing. Sometimes I had felt tremors when certain people went past me.

Now I wasn’t just sensitive. I could hurt people. Something was emerging from me, forcing its way into the light. In the end, someone would see.

‘I should have got in touch sooner,’ Nick said, as if he could read my thoughts. ‘Does the Schoolmistress always treat you that way?’

‘Yes.’ I glanced out of the window. ‘That’s her third random nosebleed.’

‘I can help you control it. I can keep you safe.’

‘I believe you,’ I said. ‘You saved my life.’

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