Page 97 of A Class Act

‘I’m going to see who she’s with.’ I grinned, the surfeit of wine making me frivolous.

I stood and walked over to the loo and then past it, peering into the dimly lit area beyond. This was obviously set up for more private dining – each white-clothed table set for just two diners – compared to where we were seated in the marginally cheaper seats out at the front.

Oh. I stopped, for a second, unable to take in just what I was seeing.

Ms Liversedge – I didn’t know her first name but, from then on, would always give her the handle MsLoversedge– was leaning into, and being fed forkfuls of food by, the exceptionally handsome man opposite.

By, in Mum’s opinion, the Magnificent Mason.

31

‘I’m sorry.’

‘What are you sorry for, Mr Donoghue?’ Monday morning and I was back in the drama studio, even more Arctic now that Jobsworth had turned off all the heating over the weekend, despite the icy conditions and thus the real threat of burst frozen pipes. I turned to Mason, who was hanging back at the entrance looking sheepish.

‘I should have told you,’ Mason said, obviously embarrassed but coming into the studio and walking over to me. ‘Hell, it’s cold in here.’

‘Told me what? That you were having a bit of a thing with a rival head teacher? At the same time as with me? At least you’re hedging your bets, going for a bit of variety: a head teacher and a lowly supply teacher.’

Mason hesitated. ‘Bit more than having a bit of a thing with Angel…’ he began.

‘Angel?’ I started to laugh. ‘Not even Angela?’ I laughed again. ‘AngelLiversedge?’

‘Angel Donoghue actually.’

‘What?’ I stared at the man in front of me. ‘Ms Liversedge is yourwife?’

Mason nodded. ‘I’m sorry, I should have come clean about it with you. With all the staff really. And, the thing is…’

‘You’re no longer estranged?’

‘That obvious?’

‘Mason, your fork was just about down her – rather magnificent, I’ll admit – cleavage at the restaurant. How obvious does it have to get?’

‘You’re upset?’

‘Upset?’ I didn’t need any time to reflect on the question as I’d been trying to work out just how I felt all weekend. ‘Erm, disappointed, I suppose.’

‘Ooff, not good.’ Mason offered up a conciliatory smile. ‘I used to hate it when my father said my behaviour disappointed him.’

‘And did it?’

‘Often. Particularly, you know, my going into teaching rather than following him into medicine.’

‘So why on earth does no one on the staff know you were – you are – married to… toAngel?’

‘The governors know, I think Petra suspects, but, really, it’s nothing to do with anyone. My private business.’

‘Right. Well, you certainly have kept it private.’ I didn’t know what else to say.

‘You will stay, won’t you, Robyn?’

‘Stay? What, with you? Carry on with the relationship we weresort ofhaving?’

‘No, obviously that’s not going to continue.’

‘Obviously!’ I wanted to laugh out loud at that. The arrogance of the man! That this conceited bloke might consider I wanted to continue any relationship with him while he was back with his wife was laughable.

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