Page 96 of Don't Tell Teacher

3.30 p.m.

Mr Cockrun’s office is a neat, sterile room with a CCTV screen cycling through school-ground and corridor images.

On one wall there’s a large picture of children playing, but it is unframed and unloved, faded and scuffed around mounds of Blu Tack at the corners. And generic too – I doubt Mr Cockrun has ever met or taught these children.

There is also an extra desk. I wonder who it’s for. And Lizzie was right about the medicine cabinet – there’s one mounted to the wall.

As we enter the office, Mr Cockrun swings around, offering a full smile. ‘Do have a seat.’

Diagnosing Special Needs

Helping Kids Concentrate

The Pressure Principle

Success in Education

The books are arranged alphabetically, I notice.

‘So let’s talk about this medicine bottle,’ I say.

Mr Cockrun sits opposite. ‘Didn’t you want to know about the incident with Tom Kinnock first?’ he asks.

A politician’s answer. Side-stepping the question.

‘You can tell me about that first, if you like. What actually happened?’

‘Tom got into a scuffle with a girl in the year below. It was all dealt with in-house. Well handled, I felt. Although the mother has no doubt been blowing it out of proportion.’ His red lips set into a firm line.

‘A younger girl? Why?’

‘Children get into scuffles for all sorts of reasons. Especially boys with issues.’

‘And Tom was sent to see you?’

Mr Cockrun hesitates. ‘Yes. Yes, he did come to my office.’

‘How about the girl? Did you talk to her?’

‘There was no need. She was fine. I spoke to her parents. Assured them that the whole issue was somewhat exaggerated. Tom’s mother was informed. Told to raise her game. We can’t have that sort of thing going on here. Good behaviour is paramount.’

I make furious notes. ‘Is this the only incident you can think of?’

‘Yes.’

‘So there have been no other incidents?’

‘Absolutely none.’

‘Mr Cockrun, Pauly Neilson ended up in hospital on the same day Tom had this scuffle. Is there any connection?’

‘Oh,that. Yes, that was something quite separate.’ He glances at the medicine cabinet – just a tiny, sideways twitch. But I notice.

‘Bit of a coincidence, isn’t it? The same day.’

‘Well, yes, I suppose so. But coincidences happen.’

‘So about the medicine bottle—’

---