‘Listen, Becca, I know I’ve been laughing, but this isn’t actually funny,’ Clara continues. ‘What if she thinks I’m your girlfriend? And gets in a jealous rage?’

‘You’re being ridiculous; she’s a harmless little mouse.’

Katherine thinks she might be sick and wonders how she’ll manage it sitting on the toilet.

‘Fat mouse, you mean.’

Katherine wants to vomit in Clara’s face. Spew regurgitated carrots in her eyes.

‘Don’t say that. Look, she’s just a lonely girl who’s developed a crazy crush. It happens.’

‘No, it’s more than that,’ Clara pushes. ‘She’s deluded. And that makes her officially mad. Which also means she’s dangerous.’

‘She’s not dangerous,’ Becca whispers.

God, of course she’s not dangerous! Katherine tries telepathy, squeezing out her message and forcing it through the toilet door.

‘I think you should tell Mr Thomas. You’re his favourite student. He’ll take it seriously.’

‘I don’t want to get her into trouble.’

‘It’s being too nice that got you into this mess in the first place; you need to put yourself first now. Anyway, where is the letter?’

‘Still in my satchel,’ Becca whispers.

‘Come on. Let’s take it to Mr Thomas before lessons start. Just to be on the safe side.’

The silence is back, but this time it feels oppressive. Katherine wants to break it with a blood-curdling scream.

‘Do you really think I should?’ Becca finally asks, her voice wavering.

‘Definitely. And I want to read it too. If I feature, it’s only fair.’ Clara tries to disguise her giggle with a cough, but Katherine hears it. She wants to dig her fingernails into Clara’s face and rip the flesh off her sticky-out cheekbones. The brazen bitch thinks that she can destroy her and Becca’s friendship, and get the teachers on her side too. Well, she’s wrong. Becca will put her straight. And if she doesn’t, Katherine will do it for her.

She listens as the door to the toilets swings open, then shut. And finally, they’re gone. She pulls up her knickers, smooths down her skirt. But her hands are shaking. With fear at what might happen next. But mainly with fury.

December 2021

December 2021

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Saskia