Page 116 of The Rest is History
‘He hasn’t mentioned it to you?’
‘Er, nope. Is he taking the deputy head role?’ We’ve discussed it in the past, but Charlie’s been reluctant to make the move.
He grimaces. ‘Sadly not. I couldn’t persuade him. No, he’s taken a role at the palace, I believe. As an historian.’
I’m lost for words. Charlie will love that. He will be in his absolute, geeky element, surrounded by all that history day after day.
‘That’s great,’ I squeak.
‘Which leaves his role free. And by that, I mean head of department.’
‘Head of department?’
I’m not selling myself here, but I’m totally blindsided.
He nods. ‘Yeah. You have more teaching experience than Amanda or Zara, so you’d be the obvious candidate. I’ve been seriously impressed with Charlie’s reports on your efforts this year. Despite what’s gone down between you two, he speaks glowingly of your gifts as a teacher. And he tells me you’d far rather teach the sixteenth century A Level class than the nineteenth century one.’
My face has broken out into the most enormous smile. This is the dream.
A promotion.
The opportunity to teach what I’m most passionate about.
The chance to stay close to Grace and Olive (and, I suppose, my parents).
I get to make a mark. To establish a worthwhile career in an amazing school that nurtures its teaching staff.
But Charlie won’t be here. That’s bittersweet. Helpful, and healthy, but bittersweet. It won’t be the same without him here. Sitting at his desk, walking in his shoes as department head won’t feel as vindicating as it should. And while I know his new role will be a dream come true for him, I can’t help but feel like the damn man has just played fairy godfather to me again.
I sit there and chat through how things may work. As I’m pulling myself up to leave, Phil holds up a hand.
‘Oh. One more thing. Augie Fisher’s mothers have requested a meeting with you. Can you set it up with Rita for sometime this week?’
That’s weird. Augie doesn’t have any issues, as far as I’m aware. He’s a spirited kid, definitely, but he seems happy enough. ‘Of course,’ I tell Phil as I take my leave.
A couple of mornings later, I usher Emmy and Stacey into a conference room. It happens to be the same room Charlie interviewed me in. He was so hostile that day. So different from the beautiful man who, all too briefly, opened himself up to me and made me fall in love with him.
I can’t help but remember his confession in the stationery cupboard.I’ve been thinking about how exquisite you might taste since the first time I laid eyes on you.The ravenous look in his eyes when he admitted it.
I mentally shake myself.Nothelpful, Elodie. I force myself to sit and smile at the two women opposite me with a cheeriness I don’t feel.
‘How are you two doing?’ I ask them. ‘Is everything okay with Augie?’
They glance at each other with guilty smirks, and I have a sudden inkling that this meeting may not be about Augie.
Stacey turns and looks me squarely in the eye, clasping her hands in front of her. She’s confident and gorgeous, and I suspect she gets everything she wants in board meetings. Today she’s in one of her usual super-fitted shift dresses, in the dreamiest sparkly cream tweed, and she looks a million dollars.
‘Emmy and I are staging an intervention, honey,’ she says sweetly.
I freeze. ‘Oh no.’
‘Oh yes. Because our brother-in-law is a masochistic idiot who, like most guys, doesn’t know what’s good for him. And yes, it’s a major breach of his trust. And he may never forgive us if this doesn’t work out. But we know from past experience that men sometimes need to be saved from their own godawful stubbornness. Right, Em?’
Emmy grins. She’s in full yoga-bunny mode today, in pale pink and grey athleisure wear that showcases her incredible figure, and she looks as though she’s had twelve hours sleep. This woman brings new meaning to the termglowing.
‘Definitely.’ She jerks her thumb in Stacey’s direction. ‘Stace had to intervene with my darling husband to tell him to get his head out of his arse and forgive me for making theteeniesterror in judgement by not telling him I was pregnant. And look at us now.’ She beams.
‘I’m happy for you,’ I say faintly, ‘but honestly, I don’t know about this. Charlie seems very intent on not having a future with me.’
