Page 13 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“Thank you.” I sit back in my seat, happy that I’ve found a solution to the phone-issue at least. I finger the edges of the credit card bribe that Headmaster Knox gave me. I’ve taken to carrying it everywhere with me. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared and I don’t have any cash in this godforsaken country.
The driver pulls up outside a large place called Tesco and I race inside. I have no idea what kind of store it is, but it looks large enough to have an electronics department. On my way in, I spot a cash point and decide to use that. I figure taking cash off the card is less traceable than paying by card. I know iPhones aren’t cheap and I don’t want a big purchase like that to show on my statement.
Luckily, it doesn’t take me long to find where they keep the electronics. I grab the empty box for the latest iPhone off the shelf and head to the checkout, stopping to grab some other essentials that I need on the way. I pay with cash and head over to customer services to exchange the dud box for the real one.
“Here you go, miss.” They hand me the boxed phone and I race off to the toilets to unpack it. I slip the phone inside my blazer pocket and toss everything else into my over-sized bag.
I’m back in the car within ten minutes. Probably less. Done, the driver continues to take me to the house where the incubator has shacked up with stepdaddy and plays happy families with all her perfect stepsons.
I grind my teeth, once again angry that she can be such a perfect fucking parent to kids that aren’t hers, but that she abandoned me and my brother without a care in the world.
Yeah, looks like I’m going to be breaking my word to the headmaster: I’m in no mood to play nice.
The car pulls up in front of a house which is even more ridiculously ostentatious than the limo. I can’t help but wonder how a headmaster makes the sort of cash that would be needed to buy and live in a place like this. The house would suggest he’s less philanthropic than Sawyer led me to believe on Friday. Maybe he uses the entrance fee for his mortgage, rather than building improvements around the school.
Seeing the house makes my mother’s interest in a school headmaster slightly more understandable. I’m not stupid enough to think she’s in love with Monty, no matter how decent he might seem to be. No, with her there’s always an ulterior motive.
I don’t want to get out of the car.
“What’s your name?” I ask the driver to stall for time.
“Larry, Miss Rossi.” I immediately like him for listening to me, even though he’s paid to follow my mother’s orders.
“Will you be my regular driver?”
“That is my employer’s intent, Miss Rossi.”
“I think if we’re going to be spending so much time together, you can just call me Amelie.”
“We’ll see, Miss Rossi. It’s early days yet and I do like to get to know a person before I drop the formalities.”
“I like you, Larry.”
“Thank you, Miss Rossi. But you really do have to get out of the car now.”
I thank Larry because he went out of his way for me, and then approach the house. There’s no bell, so I knock. When no one answers, I try the door. It’s open, so I let myself into the hallway.There’s no one around but straight away I hear raised voices coming from the door to my left. I creep over to eavesdrop.
"Why didn't you fucking tell us your mistress had a daughter?" It sounds like one of the twins whisper-yelling at his dad.
"Watch your tone, boy, I don't have to tell you shit.” It’s the angriest I’ve ever heard stepdaddy dearest sound. I didn’t think he was capable of losing his temper.
"She doesn't belong here and you know it. We don’t even have to look at her to know she won’t be a good fit! She won't last the year, let alone the next three." That's definitely the other twin’s voice. I just don’t know which one is which. They didn’t exactly introduce themselves when they kidnapped and threatened me.
"The decision has been made.” Principal Knox’s voice is tight and firm. Whatever they’re on about, he’s not budging on it.
"Wait until I tell mum about this,” Kalen joins in.
I feel a small stab of disappointment that he’d join the twins. But then I figure, they’ve not actually met me yet - as their stepsister anyway - and so he doesn’t know who he’s protesting against. I weirdly kind of hope that he’ll change his mind when he realises that I’m the girl he’s been relentlessly flirting with for the last few days.
"Your mother no longer has any say in the matter.” It’s the last thing I hear before the door flies open and I’m standing face to face with Principal Knox.
“Amelie.” He blinks. He sounds a little sheepish, like he’s worried that I may have just heard his conversation, and he’s fearful of my reaction. As if I’d make a scene without my mother around to embarrass whilst I’m doing it. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I knocked. No one answered, so I let myself in,” I explain. I sound completely neutral; neither defiant, nor apologetic. Good.I want to keep him guessing about what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling.
“Of course, of course, come in! Make yourself at home. We should see about getting you a key. You can come by more than once a week if you like. The others do.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure I’m welcome on a Sunday, let alone the other days of the week,” I point out, letting him know that I heard exactly what was said about me.
