Steve’s phone vibrated on the table, and a smile spread across his face as he read the message from Jess. It went completely against his own better judgement to date a member of staff, but he couldn’t help himself around her. Sometimes he felt like he’d been powerless to resist her, though she insisted he was the one who’d seduced her.

‘Someone’s popular,’ Mike commented. He’d been hunched over on one of the sofas all evening, and now the students were in bed Steve had been hoping Mike would disappear as well. He didn’t like the man, found his attitude disturbing at times, and was hoping he could find a way to reallocate his role. Though if he really had caught Mike stealing from the students earlier, that would give him the perfect excuse to fire him on the spot. He needed more proof.

Mike got up and came to stand next to Steve. ‘Who keeps texting you then? Girlfriend?’

Steve made a non-committal noise and carried on with the paperwork he’d brought with him. The phone buzzed again, and his hand shot out, but Mike was faster.

‘What the fuck? Jess? Are you sleeping with Jess?’

‘What I do on my own time is none of your business,’ Steve replied, keeping his voice as mild as he could.

‘It is when you’re sleeping with my fucking girlfriend.’

‘Please will you mind your language while we’re on a school trip.’

‘The kids are in bed, now answer my fucking question.’ Mike was standing too close to him, arms folded, jaw clenched. This was the last thing Steve needed, but he wasn’t going to let the man intimidate him.

Standing and facing up to Mike, he looked him straight in the eye. ‘Your relationship with Jess was over some time ago. You have no right to know what she or I are doing.’

‘So, you are sleeping with her. You bastard.’

Steve ducked as Mike swung for him, but grabbed his arm and knocked him off balance.

‘Remember who you’re speaking to,’ Steve growled. ‘Attempt to hit me again and I’ll have you arrested. As it is, you’d better start looking for another job.’

Mike snarled at him but didn’t reply, instead turning on his heel and walking out of the cabin’s front door, into the night.

Chapter 25

Saturday 1st December

When I arrived home the previous afternoon, Anna had flown at me the moment I walked through the door.

Who was it? Which member of staff?

You know I can’t talk to you about this, I told her, weary from the last few days. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?

Was it Mike? she asked, her eyes gleaming.

What? No! He’s not a paedophile. How can you even suggest that?