Page 56 of Don't Tell Teacher

‘Nothing.’

‘Does Tom have other carers, in addition to yourself?’

‘He sees both his grandmothers. No one else. The only time he’s away from me is at school.’

‘I’d like a quick look at Tom’s arm, if I may,’ says Kate.

‘Yes, of course.’ I put a gentle hand on Tom’s shoulder, shaking him awake. ‘Tom. Can you wake up for me, love? Just for a minute. I need to pull your sleeve up.’

Tom turns on the sofa, blinking sleepy eyes.

‘Is everything okay, Mum?’ he asks.

‘It’s fine, love. This is Kate. She’s a social worker.’

‘Hello, Tom.’

Gently, I pull back the blanket, warm from his body.

‘I’m just going to show Kate these marks on your arm.’

Tom’s skin glimmers, pale and clear, as I slide up his Transformers pyjama sleeve.

Kate leans closer, peering through her plain, wire glasses.

There are two teeny, tiny scabs on Tom’s arm now, no bigger than grains of sand. One mark has completely healed.

‘Was it this arm?’ Kate asks, looking to me for affirmation. Then she checks her notes and reminds herself: ‘Yes, it was.’

‘They’re nearly gone now,’ I say. ‘They were much more pronounced before.’

‘I should have got to you sooner,’ says Kate, shaking her head. ‘And arranged for a paediatrician.’

‘The nurse at the clinic—’

‘A proper paediatrician should have checked it over.’

‘I did take him to our GP,’ I say. ‘She brushed it off, just like the school did. Too busy. Kate … can I call you that?’

‘Of course.’

‘The marks on Tom’s arms … hemusthave got them at school. There’s no other time he’s away from me. I don’t let him out of my sight. I don’t know if he’s being bullied, or … He’s hanging out with some rough kids right now. And the schooldoesseem a little … odd. They won’t let parents in during the day and there’s a locked medical cabinet in the headmaster’s office and CCTV cameras andbarson the windows—’

Kate interrupts. ‘Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?’

I wipe red, swollen eyes. ‘Yes. Yes, go ahead.’

‘Is it just you and Tom living here at the moment?’

‘Yes.’

‘Tom’s father … you’re separated?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you working at the minute?’

‘I will be soon. I’m looking for a job.’

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