Page 48 of Autumn in Sycamore Park
‘You’re a saint,’ Jennifer said. ‘But I thought you said it was a hit and run?’
‘Isn’t that what they call it?’
‘Not if they don’t run.’
Rick rolled his eyes. ‘You’re such a stickler for details. Where were you Friday night, anyway? At home painting your dog’s nails?’
Jennifer smiled. ‘Grooming the cat,’ she said. ‘Such an arduous task. So you went to Gossip Bar, I hear? Isn’t that an oldies club?’
Rick shrugged. ‘I’m a bit of a man for charity.’
‘I thought you were twenty-eight? How did you get in?’
Rick just rolled his eyes. ‘I must look older.’
‘You look about seventeen, except on Monday mornings.’
‘Thanks, I think.’
‘He got IDed,’ came a chortling laugh from a couple of desks over. Old Don stood up and swiped his comb-over back across his scalp. ‘He had some fake thing he’d made. Didn’t you, Rick?’
Rick just scowled. ‘Well, while you lot stand around gasbagging, I’d better get going to class. I could have taken a week off sick, but I’m too dedicated to my job.’
Jennifer grinned. ‘I’m sure your class appreciates it.’
‘Do you want a dead arm?’
‘Gavin!’
Jennifer leapt out from behind her desk with the awkwardness of a drunken triple-jumper, getting past a desk piled with boxes of old crayons and between Gavin and Matthew before Gavin’s raised fist could carry out any action. She steered him away, pointing to the corridor.
‘Out there. Now. Wait for me.’
As Gavin marched off, head lowered, Jennifer turned to Matthew. The little boy’s bottom lip was trembling, but he was yet to burst into tears.
‘Are you all right?’
Matthew gave a solemn nod. Jennifer looked at him for a few more seconds as other kids crowded around, then gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
‘I’ll be right back.’
She marched out into the corridor. Gavin was leaning against the wall, his head lowered.
‘Okay, Gavin. I want an explanation right now. I thought Matthew was in your management team. You can’t go giving dead arms to your team now, can you?’
Gavin shook his head. ‘No, Miss.’
‘I’m beginning to lose patience with you. I put my trust in you, and I hoped you’d repay it. I need to know what’s going on.’
Gavin didn’t look up. ‘He said he can’t go to the meeting at lunchtime.’
‘Today?’
‘Yes, Miss.’
‘Do you know why he can’t go to the meeting?’
‘Because he has to go home, Miss?’
