Page 1 of Be My Traitor

Chapter 1

Five years later

The bell rang to announce the end of the lesson.

“Okay everyone.” I raise my voice to be heard over the clatter of pupils shoving books into bags and scraping back chairs, desperate to escape. “Read the next chapter. Tomorrow I’m going to want to hear your thoughts on the dynamics between Kathy and Heathcliff. Think about their relationship – is it healthy? Is it love? Is it obsession? Be prepared for a challenging discussion.”

I couldn’t be sure how many of them actually heard me as they hurried out of the room, more interested in what was on their phones than in analysingWuthering Heights.

I slumped down into my chair, sighing. The Bronte sisters were about as close as I got to romance these days and given what happened to Kathy and Heathcliff, that wasn’t saying much. Ivy kept telling me I needed to get out more, start dating, but I was nowhere near ready for that.

I let out another heavy sigh as I picked up my bag, ready to leave. I’d find out tomorrow if anyone had bothered to do the reading.

“Hey, Ivy. Have you heard the news?”

I looked up to see Nigel Burge standing in the doorway. He’d started teaching at King Academy around the same time I had and he’d asked me a few times to go out with him, but I’d always said no. Ivy had urged me to have a drink with him, just one drink, but I didn’t want to give him any ideas. Besides, I could never date someone called Nigel. Shallow? Yes, but I didn’t care. I had my standards and unless they were chiselled like a Greek god and went by the name Lucas, no one was going to measure up. I didn’t care that Ivy thought I was wasting my life. It wasn’t like I was going to date Lucas even if he showed up on my doorstep with a dozen red roses. I was firmly dedicated to my single life and happy to stay that way. Besides, I had my reasons for keeping men at arm’s length.

“What’s happened?”

“They’ve finally appointed the new head.”

“About time.” I went over to join Nigel. I looked over the room to check that I hadn’t left anything behind before switching off the lights and closing the door behind me. “The parents weren’t going to be happy keeping Jenny as interim head for much longer. She was running the Academy into the ground.”

None of the staff had liked it when Jenny Nour was given the position of interim head, but she was the only staff member vaguely qualified to take over when Mr Pilkington died suddenly of a heart attack. Self-important and frosty, two teachers had already left because of the way she’d treated them. I’d been seriously considering following them, but my options were limited, since my standing as Knight heir meant I had to stay local to help with House business.

“So, do you know who our new head is?” I asked as we started to walk down the corridor.

“No idea.” Nigel shook his head. “They say there’s going to be a meeting on Friday to give us all the details, so I suppose we’ll have to wait until then.”

“Whoever it is, they can’t be any worse than Jenny.”

“I guess not.” Nigel laughed. “Hey – do you fancy going out for a drink to celebrate our freedom from her?”

“I’d love to, but I can’t. I have to get home.” It was only half a lie. Ididhave to get out of here, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have wanted to go out with Nigel. Although I had to admit that I was impressed by his perseverance. If he kept this up, maybe I might say yes one day – in a few years’ time.

“Some other time then.”

“Sure.”

Nigel turned to go in the direction of the staff room, while I went off to the building which housed the kindergarten children.

“Mummy!” My four-year-old daughter’s eyes lit up when she saw me walk into the room to collect her. She squealed and ran over to throw herself into my arms.

“Hey, baby.” I kissed the top of her head as she squeezed me tightly. “Have you been a good girl?”

“Amber’s been a pleasure, as always.” Liz, one of the kindergarten teachers, came over to see us. “Do you want to show Mummy your painting?”

“Oh, yes!” Amber raced off. A minute later she was back waving a piece of paper covered with brightly coloured splotches and stripes. “This is you and me going to the zoo.”

“That’s amazing!” I gasped. “I love the colours you chose. And is that a lion there?”

“Silly Mummy.” Amber pouted reprovingly. “That’syou!”

“Of course it is. Iamsilly!”

Amber slipped her hand into mind and waved goodbye to Becky. “Bye bye, Auntie Becky!” she yelled.

“Bye, Amber. See you tomorrow.”

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