I didn’t have to tell Joyce the bad news. Howard did it for me. He arrived just in time to watch Aaron throw a chair at a window. Then, after Joyce had yanked her grandson out of the classroom, Howard took them both back to his office.

I saw her at recess, storming across the playground with clenched fists. Behind her, Aaron looked bloodless and lethargic, like a little ghost. The image haunted me for a long time. I even mentioned it to Howard that afternoon.

‘Joyce was furious. She’ll take it out on Aaron. I’m wondering if his tantrum had something to do with her—she was really angry when I told her to leave. Aaron might have been scared because he knew what she’d be like after school.’

Howard grimaced. ‘That’s pure speculation.’

‘Yeah, but—’

‘Why did you tell her to leave?’

‘Because she’s impossible.’ I explained why, concluding with, ‘She has to be in control. There’s nothing she won’t do, I swear to God. If Aaron comes back with a scab on his lip, I’m calling the police.’

‘No. Don’t.’

‘I know his dad’s a policeman, but—’

‘Robyn, this is someone’s kid. We can’t go barging in because you have a hunch. Do you understand how delicate this is?’ He peered at me. ‘Do you?’

‘Of course.’

‘Then why are you behaving like a bull in a china shop?’ Before I could defend myself, he said, ‘I told Learning and Support about our lockdown and they’re sending a caseworker next week. If Aima or the caseworker think a police report is warranted, then their recommendation will have more weight than ours. They know the difference between trauma and autism.’ He sighed and leaned back in his chair, making it creak. ‘I applaud your concern, but there are proper channels for this kind of thing. If you don’t follow them, you can get in a real mess. Believe me, Robyn, I’ve been here longer than you have.’

In other words, he was covering his arse. And mine. I had to give him credit for that, but I still felt a responsibility towards Krystal. She needed to know what was going on, so I called her after work. I told her Aaron had been suspended, then mentioned the caseworker. ‘Have you been able to contact a paediatrician?’ I asked.

‘No.’ Krystal sounded vague. She couldn’t seem to absorb what I was saying; I wondered if she was in shock. ‘Does that mean Aaron won’t be at school on Friday?’

‘Yes.’

‘Which means I’ll have to pick him up from Joyce’s house?’

‘Unless you want to make other arrangements.’

‘Shit.’ She was beginning to sound tearful. ‘Shit, shit, shit.’

‘He’ll be going to school very briefly on Friday for his counsellor’s appointment.’