Tilly’s eyes widened. “We only have three Year Eleven Literature Extension students?”

“Well, I think most of the girls get their English lit fix with VCE Literature being compulsory.”

Kate had gone to a great effort to prepare lesson plans for the Year Eleven Victorian Certificate of Education unit they were job-sharing. As it was, Tilly had a heavy workload working in other departments of the school—she’d be taking all grades for History and Religion, following the program Cynthia had laid out before leaving for Europe. She was job-sharing a few of the Religion studies classes with Sister Mary Monica, but still, Kate wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible for Tilly.

“Are you happy for us to start with The Color Purple for Lit Extension?” Kate asked.

“Oh,” Tilly said. “Sister Ruth led me to believe we’d be teaching The Glass Menagerie to begin. I’ve never read The Color Purple.”

“Really? That’s okay—I have a copy in the cottage. I’d prefer if we started with The Color Purple. I mean, it’ll take the girls a while to get through the novel—I doubt they’ve actually read it like they were told to do over the holidays. You can bluff them, though, teach as you read…”

Tilly laughed. “Well, that wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to do that.”

Kate laughed. “Join the club.” Sometimes even teachers had to turn to online cheat guides and chapter summaries.

Kate had reorganised the timetable as best she could, swapping a few of Cynthia’s classes so that Tilly could have complete and half-days off rather than a handful of scattered free periods. “This way, you have the option to go off to the mainland on Tuesdays and Friday afternoons,” Kate finished.

“That’s okay,” Tilly said. “I think I’d like to stay here to write anyway.”

Kate edged her glasses up her nose. “Write?”

Tilly crossed her legs. “Sister Ruth didn’t tell you?”

“No…” Write? “No.”

“I have a series of chapter books, written under a pseudonym. A Catholic publisher, seven books so far. Informative novellas for children eight to ten. I’m working on a Caroline Chisholm manuscript right now. Anyway, it doesn’t take up much of my time, don’t worry.”

Tilly dropped her gaze, and Kate’s heart soared at her bashfulness. “I’m…I’m not worried. Tilly, that’s amazing. I’m so impressed.”

Tilly looked up. Her shoulders sagged as she laughed. “Thanks.”

A knock at the door severed the spell. Tilly twisted in her seat. “Come in,” Kate called out.

Lexi poked her head inside and looked between the two of them. “Cassie’s upstairs and Molly says she’s having a panic attack. She wants her Mum.”

Kate stood, her chair legs scraping loudly against the floorboards.

“I can go,” Tilly offered.

“No, no,” Kate said. “I’ve got it.”

“Honestly, it’s fine,” Tilly said, and before Kate could protest further, she was brushing past Lexi out the door.

Lexi looked down the hall after her, mesmerised. “She’s like an angel,” she murmured.

The soft, enchanting scent of Tilly’s Chanel perfume lingered in the office. Kate cleared her throat. “Lex, go and ask Sister Ellie if she needs any help with lunch.”