Page 46 of A Class Act

‘I’ve not come to see Sorrel.’ Mason Donoghue smiled. ‘May I come in?’ He took a step inside.

‘You appear to be doing so,’ I replied somewhat tartly and then, remembering I needed to keep on the right side of this man if he was to relent and offer Sorrel a place at St Mede’s, I added, ‘Please. Come on in.’

‘Jess, this is Mr Donoghue.’ I ushered the man into Mum’s kitchen. ‘He’s the head teacher of St Mede’s.’

‘Mason?’ Jess looked up and stared. ‘You never said.’

‘You never asked.’

‘You two know each other?’ I looked in surprise from Jess to the man who was now easing his great height and well-toned body onto a kitchen chair, apparently making himself at home.

‘Mason’s granny is a guest at Hudson House.’

‘A guest?’ I gave a little chortle. ‘Is that what you’re called when you end up in an old folks’ home?’

‘As opposed to what?’ Mason Donoghue raised an eye in my direction. ‘A client? An inmate?’

‘Hadn’t really thought about it, to be honest.’ I shrugged. ‘So, at what point did you realise Sorrel was Jess’s sister?’

‘Not until you’d left my office and then I sort of put two and two together.’ Mason smiled across at Jess.

‘Oh, so does that mean you’re willing to take Sorrel as a pupil without blackmailing me, then? Now that your granny’s in Jess’s care? We could end up blackmailingyouin return: you know, give Sorrel a place at your school or Jess won’t let your granny stroke the pet therapy dog…’

‘We don’thavea pet therapy dog…’ Jess started.

‘Or bar her from bridge sessions,’ I said, warming to my theme.

‘Tiddlywinks, ludo and, occasionally, draughts,’ Jess corrected.

‘Those as well.’ I nodded in agreement. ‘Take Sorrel, Mr Donoghue, or your granny will be blacklisted.’

‘Hang on. Blackmailing you?’ Jess frowned. ‘Whatareyou talking about, Robyn? Mason’s blackmailing you? What have youdone?’

‘He says he’ll take Sorrel, as long as I go and teach there as well.’

‘Really? Well, how wonderful is that!’ Jess beamed at both of us. ‘You loved being a teacher, Robyn. Tea, Mason?’

‘No need for fabrication, Jess.’ I shook my head in her direction as she went to fill the kettle. ‘I’ve already told Mr Donoghue here that I hated teaching. That I was a rubbish teacher.’

‘You passed, did your NQT year,’ Jess protested. ‘You’re qualified.’

‘Qualified to know that, after a year at the chalkface, I never want to be back there again. Ever.’

‘No chalk these days.’ Mason smiled. ‘All whiteboards and SMART boards.’ He sighed. ‘When they work, anyway. Look, Robyn, I’m desperate for someone to take over the drama department.’

‘Take it over?’ I stared. ‘You didn’t say I was going to be in charge of it.’

‘Would that make a difference?’

‘More pay, Robyn!’ Jess was jubilant. ‘We’re going to need more funds to keep both houses warm and running now that Dean’s gone and isn’t sending me any money. The cost of living is horrendous. I haven’t put the central heating on yet andneverhave a bath.’

‘Not sure we should be a party to your personal hygiene habits, Jess.’ I tutted. ‘Or lack of them.’

‘You know exactly what I mean.’ She tutted in response. ‘Look, Robyn, as your elder sister, I’m ordering you to take this lovely teaching job. It’ll be right up your street.’

‘Orderingme? Who do you think you are?’

‘Your big sister. We need the money, Robyn—’ She broke off as the front door banged and all three of us glanced towards the open kitchen door.

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