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Back The Model Wife
Chapters (48)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. About the Author
  4. Also by Tricia Stringer
  5. Title Page
  6. Dedication
  7. One
  8. Two
  9. Three
  10. Four
  11. Five
  12. Six
  13. Seven
  14. Eight
  15. Nine
  16. Ten
  17. Eleven
  18. Twelve
  19. Thirteen
  20. Fourteen
  21. Fifteen
  22. Sixteen
  23. Seventeen
  24. Eighteen
  25. Nineteen
  26. Twenty
  27. Twenty-One
  28. Twenty-Two
  29. Twenty-Three
  30. Twenty-Four
  31. Twenty-Five
  32. Twenty-Six
  33. Twenty-Seven
  34. Twenty-Eight
  35. Twenty-Nine
  36. Thirty
  37. Thirty-One
  38. Thirty-Two
  39. Thirty-Three
  40. Thirty-Four
  41. Thirty-Five
  42. Thirty-Six
  43. Thirty-Seven
  44. Thirty-Eight
  45. Author’s Note
  46. Acknowledgements
  47. Excerpt
  48. One

Natalie glanced at her watch. It was nearly home time. They needed to end the day on a bright note and some more Roald Dahl would do the trick. “The room is already packed up. How about you all find a comfy spot and I will read one more chapter of The Twits.” The calls of delight were immediate, along with the crash and bang of chairs against tables as they each found a space on the floor with one of the many colourful cushions she provided for this kind of activity. She sat in her chair with them all gathered at her feet and opened the book, only realising then that Paul had slipped out of the room as quietly as he’d slipped in, leaving behind a judgemental air.

The final siren of the day sounded and the classroom had no sooner emptied of children when Eloise, the new young teacher from the class next door, burst into her room, a stricken look on her face.

“He came in again. He’s like the phantom; he appears out of nowhere, watches for a while and leaves.”

Natalie knew she was referring to Paul.

“It’s his way of keeping in touch with what’s happening in the classroom.” She tried to sound reassuring.

“I’m sick of his spying. He can take over altogether if he wants.” Eloise’s lip wobbled and then a giant sob burst forth followed by tears.

Natalie sat her on one of the student chairs, poured her some water and put a gentle arm around her shoulders.

“You’re doing such a good job,” she said soothingly. “Paul’s learning to be a principal just like you’re learning to be a teacher.”

Eloise sniffed and took a tissue from her sleeve. “No-one watches over his shoulder.”

“Principals have their line managers too.”

“Do they pop in unannounced every five minutes?”

Natalie patted the young woman’s shoulder. She had a point and it was what Natalie had tried to talk to Paul about the last time Eloise had come crying to her after one of his visits. Eloise lacked confidence. She’d had to take over in terrible circumstances when her predecessor, Penny, had died suddenly. Penny had been a dedicated teacher, fair but firm, whose students had adored her and it was hard enough for Eloise to pick up the pieces, take over a class and find her way in her first job in a totally new community, without feeling the principal was scrutinising her every move.