Page 15 of Dream a Little Dream

Within a few seconds, the phone rang. For a department who spent most of their life on the road, Kenny didn’t expect a quick answer. So he was more than surprised when it answered, and Kenny didn’t have time to conjure up his moral compass.

“Recruitment and Admissions, how can I help you?”

He closed his eyes, blocking out his transgression. “Hi, yes, it’s Doctor Lyons from Psychology. Is Liam Golding there?”

“Lucky, you just caught him going out. Hang on.”

“Kenny, hi,” Liam came on the phone. “Please don’t say you can’t do that talk on Friday. I literally just confirmed it with the virtual school.”

“No, no.” Kenny rubbed his forehead, cursing himself for having agreed to that. But it had got him to Liam. And he worked for the department supporting underrepresented and disadvantaged students into the university. Having seen him with Aaron earlier, this was a case of deduction. Aaron had come through him. Meaning he was one of the target students Liam worked with. “I wanted to talk to you about a new student of mine.”

“Oh, yes?”

“Aaron Jones.”

“Okay. What’s up?”

“He was in my Crim Psych today and I have a few concerns so went into the system and, well, I know this isn’t procedure, but much of his file is closed off.”

“Right.”

“I’m under the assumption he came through your department?”

“We know of him, yes. What are your concerns? His grades are sound. No contextual offer this time.”

“Yes, I can see that. Solid grades. Better than most. It’s more of a pastoral concern…” He winced, biting on his pen.

“Maybe welfare can help?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be sure to pass him along, but I just wondered if you had the password to open his previous education, as there’s something amiss in his study form.” That would at least give himsomething, even if it wasn’t a home address.

“I’m sorry, Kenny, I can’t give you that. You could ask Aaron himself?”

“Yes. Of course. My apologies.” He clenched his jaw.

Whilst he understood the necessity of such barriers, the delicate balance between knowledge and ethics, it grated on his relentless pursuit to know who Aaron Joneswas. And more importantly, how he’d come to his life. He couldn’t put it down to chance.Coincidences were acausal.

“No fret. But Friday’s good, yeah? Lecture theatre one, twelve pm.”

“I’ll be there.”

“They’d love to hear about your consultancy work.”

“I’m sure they would.” Kenny hung up, then scraped two hands through his hair. After another moment of indecision, he rolled back his chair, stalked over to his office door and yanked it open. “Gail?”

Gail stood from the line of desks, slipping her glasses down her nose. “Yes?”

“Is Charlotte still in seminar?”

“I believe so.”

“Bugger.” He dumped his hands on his hips.

“Anything you need help with?”

“I need a student in here.”

“Thought I said to get a wife, not chase the girls who swoon over you in a lecture theatre.” She smirked.

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