Donny grinned. ‘Depends on what you can give me in return.’ He poked his tongue into the side of his cheek and looked at her lasciviously, pulling her into his arms. ‘So, what do you think?’

Susan snuggled against him. A blow job was the usual price tag for any favours and it looked like today was no different. ‘I’ll put your name down in my book for one, Donny, new shoes for me and a gobble for you. See, we’re both happy.’ She ran her hand down his chest. He’d have been up for it there and then if she’d let him.

She leant in to him, forgetting for a moment all her doubts and fears and just feeling his solid chest against hers. That was the problem with Donny. Even when she hated him, she loved him too.

They heard a voice outside the room and pulled away from each other. Susan pointed at her husband’s crotch. ‘Quick, cover that up before you poke someone’s eye out with it.’ Donny looked down and placed his hand over his erection.

‘Whoops,’ he sniggered. ‘Right, I’ll see you later, sexy. I’ll get us a takeaway tonight for tea like I promised. I want you to relax, especially if I’m on your good list.’

Susan said nothing; now she had control of herself again the spell was broken and doubt came rushing back in.

Donny, oblivious, placed his hands in his pocket and checked it was safe to leave now. He kissed his wife and left the room with a smile on his face.

Back at school all seemed quiet. Donny went back upstairs to his office where he found Tina tapping away at her computer. She looked up.

‘It was all fine with the new kid. He starts in a few days. Seems alright, usual story – acting up in his old school, no respect for boundaries – nothing we haven’t seen before. I don’t think he’ll give us any trouble. Oh and his mother said she knows you from when she was younger. Pearson, she’s called now, I’m trying to remember what she said it was then.’

Donny shrugged. ‘I knew a lot of girls back in the day. Did she have a crush on me? I bet she did.’ He chuckled.

Tina was thinking back. ‘That’s it. Her maiden name was Greggs. Bethany Greggs.’

Donny blanched, could feel his knees go weak. Gobsmacked was an understatement. Tina didn’t seem to notice, just carried on talking. ‘Nevaya has texted me to say sorry. But I know Chris has made her do it to keep the peace.’

Donny was still lost in the past, trying to push thoughts of Bethany Greggs as far down as he could.

‘Nevaya’s up to something, Donny. She’s a snake in the grass. I need to be careful, she’s all cloak and dagger that one is.’