She thought back. It had all happened in such a rush. She’d thought the boy was reaching to touch her body but…“He could have been,” she said.

“He can get fixated on things. His mother has grown her hair longer and he loves to brush it for her. I imagine he was attracted to your hair. He wouldn’t have meant you any harm. His family and teachers work very hard at trying to get him to understand the difference between appropriate behaviour with family and what’s okay with friends or at school. We’re a relatively small community and everyone at school knows Raff. We have several special needs students, perhaps we need to revisit our procedures for visitors.”

Keely looked at him in amazement. “I really did imagine it. The poor kid must have thought I was crazy.”

“Considering what you’ve been through, I think you’re amazingly sane,” Euan said.

“Keely, I can’t make up for what happened to you at your last school,” Ken said. “What some of the students did to you was beyond misbehaviour, it was harassment, even assault. And the fact that senior management didn’t give you some support was both negligent and appalling.”

Keely could feel the tears brimming in her eyes again. “You can’t imagine how it feels to have someone believe me,” she said.

“Not everyone is suited to be a classroom teacher but from your two days at my school, I can tell you the students are very happy you came. Those painted wine bottles are the talk of the yard at the moment. We’ve had lots of relief art teachers while the current teacher’s been on leave and you’ve sparked more enthusiasm in two days than the rest of us have managed in any of our relief art lessons. I can understand that you may not want to come back tomorrow—”

“I don’t think I could.”

“That’s fair enough. As long as you know your teaching ability is not in question and I would happily have you back as would the students. Raff wants to apologise but I told him I’d see you and pass on his message.”

Keely shook her head. “It wasn’t his fault that I reacted the way I did.”

“He still needs to learn what’s appropriate behaviour and not to cross the boundaries. There will be many people, both strangers and friends, who won’t want him to touch their hair. This will be a good learning point for him. I just don’t want you to stay away because of Raff.”

Keely nodded.

“I’ll head home now.” Ken stood up, his smile caring like Euan’s. “As long as you know you’re welcome at our school and my door is always open if you want to talk anything over more.”