Page 27 of Take My Place

“Including you?”

Mr Metcalf smiles sadly. “Touché, Ivy. Anyway, I’ve overstepped the mark. It’s not my place to get involved in your personal life and I apologise for any offence I may have caused. Suffice to say that you are very welcome back in my class and maybe you might even consider performing a duet with Declan at the fundraiser.”

“Duet? Fundraiser?”

“Yes. The charity fundraiser. A number of students are preparing acts for the evening and I know Declan would love to write a song with you just for the occasion. Perhaps you could view it as one last piece of homework before you rejoin my class. It’ll earn you extra credit.”

“Maybe. I’ll have to see what Romy says.”

“Let me give you a little piece of advice, Ivy.” Mr Metcalf leans forward. “Take it from someone who knows. Never let a man tell you what you can or can’t do. If you want to work with Declan, then work with Declan. The two of you create magic together. Many of the students at the academy used to call your mother the first Queen of King Academy. Your mother never let anyone tell her what to do Don’t you think there is a second now?.”

“You knew my mum?”

He nods. “Yes, and I admired her. Like many did.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say softly. The more I learn, the more I feel like King Town is smaller than I thought. Did everyone know my mum? Is there nothing but secrets in this place?

After acing Mr Metcalf’s assessment, I am filled with optimism about my politics and business courses. But I’d never been that enthusiastic about the subjects, since my father had forced me to take them, and I hadn’t made a particularly good impression on either of the teachers, so my good mood quickly evaporated when Ms Dupree starts quizzing me on Tony Blair’s key policies, something I vaguely remembered but really couldn’t care less about.

By the time I am released from my politics assessment, I am about ready to go home, bury myself under my duvet and never come out again. But I still had to meet with my business studies teacher after lunch. As the bell rings to announce the midday break, the corridors fill with swarms of students. The noise is overwhelming, and I felt like disappearing off to one of the music practice rooms for peace and quiet. Then I remember I’d agreed to meet up with Milly. If anyone can give me an insight into what has really happened while I was away, it’s Milly.

As I walk into the cafeteria, I look around to find my friend. I don’t see Milly anywhere, but Archer is sitting on his own at a table to the side.

Looking at how long the queue for food is, I decide I can’t be bothered to stand in wait. I go over and sit opposite Archer.

“Hey. How’re you doing?”

Archer looks up and smiles a rare, genuine smile.

“Better for seeing you,” he says. “It’s not been the same without you at the Academy–even though technically we’re not supposed to talk to each other while our families are at war.”

“That’s my father’s battle.” I shrug. “He can be at war with whoever he likes. He can’t stop me talking to you if I want. Heck, if he tries, it’ll make memorelikely to go out of my way to hang out with you. House politics are stupid if you ask me. I don’t see why you can’t all get along. There must be enough business for all of you. From what I understand, we’ve got complimentary businesses. If we worked together, we’d make more money. Instead, this in-fighting hurtsallour bottom lines.”

“Careful now, Ivy,” Archer says. “You’ll have me thinking your dad is right to insist you take a business class.”

“I don’t need a class,” I counter. “That’s just common sense. Make love, not war. You catch more flies with honey. Insert your choice of uplifting cliché here…”

Archer laughs. “Well, much as I admire your passion, aren’t you going to have to check in with Romy before you go fraternising with the enemy?”

“You just had to go kill the mood, didn’t you?” I sigh. “Romy’s my fiancé, not my jailer.”

“From where I’m sitting it is still pretty much the same thing,” Archer says.

“It’s not like that,” I protest. “It’s--” My voice trails off. I can’t think of a good argument against what Archer is saying.

“Don’t be taken in by Romy’s pretty boy charm,” Archer warns. “He’s not what he appears. Romy’s only ever cared about himself. The only reason he gets away with being such a womaniser is because he’s charismatic with it. He gets the girls to beg him to use them. I wish I knew how he did it.”

“Why? So you could do the same?” I snort and shake my head. “It sounds like you’re jealous.”

“No. It’s not like that,” Archer says. “The only thing I’m jealous of is-- Actually, you know what? Never mind. It’s not important.”

“I think it is, and I’d appreciate it if you told me what you were about to say.”

“Fine.” Archer ran a hand over his shaven head. “I’m jealous he gets to be with you, okay? After everything, I thought we were starting something special. You know?”

“I do know,” I say softly. “I felt the same way.”

“Right. So having you come back and find that Romy’s manipulated you so he’s got you exactly where he wants you is a real kick in the teeth.”

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