“And what about Harriet, while we’re at it?” I asked. “She was in those screenshots, too. That’s a second offense, no less.”

“Harriet,” the headmaster says, “like you, has a history here.”

“She has wealthy parents, you mean.”

“She received a formal warning,” the headmaster finishes.

I give him a humorless smile. “Right,” I say. “So, ‘no-tolerance, unless we like you more than the other student, in which case we’re impressively tolerant’?”

I’m pushing my luck, and I know it. He darkens. “Rose, you are not a guardian of Danni, and you were not involved in this incident, so it is not your place to speak on her behalf.”

“Sir, she needs this school—”

“As do many young women.”

“Half the school was at that party. She wasn’t doing anything everyone else wasn’t doing.”

“Rose, I’m happy to turn a blind eye wherever I can,” he says. “You know I will. But photos of Danni holding a half-empty bottle of spirits ended up in the papers. I’m left with no choice.”

“Please, give her a second chance.”

“This isn’t my decision,” he says. “If it was, I would. Believe me.” The headmaster falters at this, his eyes flashing, and he presses his lips together. “Don’t repeat that, Rose. But I would. Unfortunately, too many others disagree with me, and my hands are tied.”

Too many others? Like who? Parents? Diocese figureheads? Then I remember Danni mentioned the alumni association. Why do they care so much about one mistake made by a fifth-year student? It’s hardly the first time a Bramppath student has been caught in an awkward situation, even setting Amsterdam aside. If Danni’s family had enemies in high places I might have understood, but Danni is just about the most inoffensive person I know.

“There’s nothing you can do to change my mind on this, Rose,” the headmaster says.

I give him a hard look and stand up. This is not over yet. I’m just getting started.

“Are you behind this, William?” I ask. “Or anybody else at the palace?”

On the other end of the line, William sounds genuinely drained. “No, Rose. You’ve kept up your side of our agreement, as far as I’m aware. Your parents are more or less placated.”

“But it seems like too much of a coincidence,” I say. “Last week, they wanted Danni gone from Bramppath, and now the alumni association conveniently agrees? Come on. My parents know half the board personally. The Kwons! The Paget-Harringtons!”

“Rose, I assure you, if your parents had a hand in this, I would be aware. It’s coincidental.”