‘It’s about reading, Mitch, not magic.’ I didn’t want to come straight out and say that people would think he was a paedophile, but I had to say something. ‘The point is, you’re not a primary carer.’

‘I bloody am. I look after him all the time.’

‘You still need a working-with-children check,’ I explained.

‘Oh, I’ve got one of those.’

‘You have?’

‘I told you, I do magic tricks. At fetes and things.’ He pointed at his head. ‘This is my Mr Magic hat. I pull rabbits out of it.’

I knew what Howard would say about Mitch. He would say that Mitch was a provocation. He would ask me why I was escalating the conflict.

If Joyce heard Mitch was in my classroom, she’d go apeshit.

‘I can’t, Mitch. I’m sorry.’ Seeing his untamed eyebrows snap together, I tried to soften the blow. ‘Let me ask Mr Bradshaw. It’s up to him, really.’

‘Joyce was allowed to do it,’ Mitch protested.

‘Yeah. And we ended up with a three-ring circus.’

‘But—’

‘I’ve got to think of the kids. If you’re there and Joyce hears about it—which she will—she might start throwing punches. Do you want that to happen in front of my class?’

Mitch shot a worried glance at Krystal. ‘Joyce is doing crazy stuff at school. She’s undermining Krys,’ he said.

‘I understand that.’ His expression pained me. ‘Honestly, I’d like to help. We could do with more men in the classroom. But my principal won’t like it. He’ll say we’re goading Joyce. Your best bet is to talk to him—he’ll have a harder time saying no if you do it yourself.’

Mitch sighed. Then he nodded. ‘Fair enough. I’ll give it a try. But it’s a bloody disgrace, the way that woman’s holding everyone hostage.’

I agreed with him, though I couldn’t say so; I’d already said enough about Joyce. Turning to Krystal, I took a deep breath and told her, ‘Aaron was sent home again. I was going to ring you about it.’

Mitch’s whole face sagged. He squeezed Krystal’s arm.

‘He would have been suspended, but the caseworker has to see him tomorrow,’ I continued. ‘She was there today as well.’

Krystal licked her dry lips. Then she cleared her throat. ‘What did he do?’

‘He hit a little girl in the face. With a book.’

She covered her eyes. Mitch winced and said, ‘He’s seen his dad hit his mum.’

Their sorrow was genuine. I could feel it. Krystal had gone white.

‘There’s something else you should know. About Aaron.’ I was being reckless, but I couldn’t help myself. ‘He tried to flush a sanitary napkin down the toilet today. Could he have seen you do that yourself, Krystal?’

‘Me?’ A red wash flooded her pale face. ‘No, of course not, it blocks the—’