Chaos reigned after that. Amber shrieked. Beth jumped up, cradling her little girl. Amber’s nose was bleeding. Beth was in a state. I tried to help, but she wouldn’t let me. She gabbled something about the hospital. ‘If that child comes anywhere near her again, I’ll call the police!’ she said.

She was out the door with Amber before I could apologise.

By that time Aaron was in the storeroom, pulling supplies off the shelves. I ran to intervene as crayons and paintbrushes crashed to the floor. Linda had waded in to deal with a screaming Caleb. Dixie looked bewildered. Kate had grabbed Phoebe.

I had to use my special hold on Aaron, restraining him while he thrashed and yelled and tried to headbutt me. Then all at once he went limp. ‘I wanna go pee,’ he mumbled.

He was holding my hand when I emerged from the storeroom. Dixie was packing up books. Kate confronted me on her way out.

‘I found that very disturbing,’ she said in a low voice, her handbag clamped to her ribs. ‘That child needs a firm hand—you have to learn to control him. If you can’t, I don’t want Phoebe in this class.’

She didn’t wait for my answer, storming off with a great clacking of heels. Then Dixie approached me, wearing an uncharacteristically worried expression.

‘Is there anything I can do?’ she asked.

I hesitated. Aaron couldn’t be sent to the toilet alone, but I didn’t want to put an innocent parent in the firing line.

‘It’s okay,’ I said, glancing at the other kids. I was concerned about them.

‘Do you want me to get Joyce? She’s on canteen duty.’

‘It’s all right.’ I had to talk to Linda first. If I sent Aaron home, she wouldn’t be able to assess him. But I didn’t want him at school. Not after what had just happened. ‘Thanks anyway. I’m sorry. Better luck next time, eh?’

Dixie smiled awkwardly. She looked at Aaron for a moment, then leaned over and whispered in my ear, ‘Divorced parents.’

It was Linda who finally took Aaron to the toilet. From there she hauled him off to Howard’s office. I didn’t see her again until recess, when she returned to the classroom for Aaron’s bag.

‘He’s going home,’ she told me, ‘but he’ll be back tomorrow.’ She and Howard had agreed that if Aaron was suspended, she wouldn’t be able to finish her evaluation.

‘Is Joyce with him now?’ I asked.

‘She is, yes.’ There was a brief pause as Linda studied my face. ‘I think you’re right. I think she’s part of the problem.’

I felt a flutter of relief. ‘Then I’ll see you tomorrow?’

‘I’ll stay here now, if you don’t mind. I’m interested in Caleb.’

‘Oh. Sure.’

‘He’s probably on the spectrum.’