Page 11 of Kiss Me at Christmas
Harriet glanced back at the faces of her students. Their youthful bravado had evaporated, and they suddenly looked their ages. She made a decision.
“The children are here under my instruction. They had nothing to do with breaking in. I thought it would be good to show them the inside of a theater as part of their English literature and drama studies. It’s my fault they’re here.”
“Miss!” Billy protested.
She shot him a warning look.
“No, Billy, I appreciate that you’re concerned about me,but this is my fault, and I should face the consequences. You must all go back to school immediately—I absolutely mean it! Officers, please don’t make these students suffer because of my poor judgment.”
Both officers looked at her skeptically.
“So you’re the ringleader, are you?” said the shorter of the two, one eyebrow lifted so high it disappeared under the rim of his helmet.
Harriet nodded emphatically. “Yes, Officers, I am.”
He shook his head in resignation and glanced at his colleague, who shrugged.
“All right,” he said. “Ms. Smith, if you would like to come with us. The rest of you, make yourselves scarce and don’t let us catch you in here again. Do I make myself clear?”
The students mumbled their assent.
“Go on, then, off you go.” He gestured to the door and the famous five shuffled quickly along the aisle, murmuring “Sorry, miss” and “Thanks, miss” as they passed her. At the top of the stairs, the taller officer held the door open for them and then followed behind to be sure they left the building. Billy looked back once and bobbed his head at Harriet.
“Back to school!” Harriet shouted after them.
She fired off a quick message to Ali:Found the FF. I’m being escorted to the police station. The kids are on their way back to school, please find them and sign them all in. Don’t tell anyone I’ve been collared by the fuzz!!She smiled thinking of Ali’s face when he read her message, then slung her bag over her shoulder and climbed the steps to meet her fate.
“Okay, let’s get this over with. Am I under arrest?”
The officer smiled. “No, you’re just helping us with our inquiries.”
“What’s the difference? I’m new to this whole being-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-law thing. Are you going to handcuff me?”
“No, Ms. Smith.”
That was something at least.
“Will my place of work be informed?”
“That’s entirely down to you.”
“That’ll be a no, then. I’m not sure the school will look too kindly on their pastoral team leader being accused of trespassing.”
The other officer returned, and they walked single file—Harriet in the middle—back through the dim corridors and out into the alleyway.
“Can I ask, why did you do it?” asked the taller officer, helping her into the back of his car.
“Take them into the theater?”
The officer shook his head.
“Take the fall for them.”
Oh.
“Is this off the record?” she asked.
“For now,” he said, settling himself into the front seat.
