Page 107 of Save You
I remember talking to him.But we never got that close together.I have no idea who took the pictures, but they’re clearly intended to harm me—or Sutton.
“I see what that looks like, but I—”
“Miss Bell, I don’t think you understand,” Mr.Lexington interrupts.“These photos were sent to me by one of the parents, and a fellow student here has confirmed seeing you and Mr.Sutton together.”
“We were only talking!”I exclaim in outrage.
“Ruby, watch your tone,” Mum snaps.As I glance sideways at her, a cold shiver runs down my spine.
Mum has never looked at me like that before—with that total disappointment on her face.But before I can defend myself, Lexington goes on and Mum looks away from me.
“I have never known anything like this in my whole twenty years at this school, Miss Bell.I will not permit the reputation of Maxton Hall to be damaged by a fling with a teacher.”
“I don’t have flings!”I cry.
I can’t believe this is happening.It must be a nightmare.
“I have a boyfriend,” I continue.“I…I would never get involved with a teacher.I’d never do a thing like that, I swear.”
I can’t say that it was Lydia who was seeing Mr.Sutton.That’s out of the question.Not after everything she’s been through, and everything she still has to face.I’d never abuse her trust like that.
“I don’t think you appreciate the gravity of the situation, Ruby,” Lexington continues, picking up one of the photos.“I think it is best for all concerned if you leave the school.You and Mr.Sutton are both suspended from Maxton Hall with immediate effect.”
Silence.
It feels as though someone’s pulled out the plug on me.All I can hear is a ringing in my ears.The seconds drag on in slow motion.Lexington’s mouth is moving, but I take in no sound.
“You can’t do this,” I gasp.“I need to get my A levels; I need my grades for Oxford.”
Mr.Lexington doesn’t reply, just shuffles the photos together again and puts them back in an envelope.It’s brown and I see a stamp in the top left-hand corner—presumably the return address.I squint at it and make out a curving black “B.”
My heart skips a beat.
That’s impossible.
They can’t have done that.
They’d never betray me like this.
“Who was it that said they saw me?”I ask breathlessly.
Now Lexington is looking almost pityingly at me.“That is confidential, Miss Bell.Would you now kindly leave my office?We will confirm the suspension in writing.Good day to you.”
He flicks through the pile of papers on his desk and then turns his attention back to his computer—an unmistakable sign that we’re dismissed.
No.Fucking.Way.
“Do you know how much I’ve worked my arse off for this school?”I blurt suddenly.
Mr.Lexington looks up again slowly.“Don’t make me call in security, Miss Bell.”
“You can’t throw me out just because I’m here on a scholarship and don’t have rich enough parents to bribe you to ignore rumors about me!”
“I will not be spoken to like this!”gasps Mr.Lexington.
“You absolute—”
“Ruby!”Mum cuts me off sharply.She grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the chair.
