Nancy tapped the side of her nose. ‘I’ll let you know when I’ve finished it.’

‘A mystery then’ he said to himself under his breath and got into the car and flicked the engine over. He watched her standing at the door. What on earth was she up to?

Chapter Twenty-One

Tina was alone in the staff room, pacing up and down, her phone to her ear. ‘Chris, I’ve given you chance after chance. I’m moving out so you’ll just have to deal with it. Nevaya has no respect for me and Charlie is no better. And all you do is lie on the bleeding sofa all night long and I’ve had enough of it. I want more from life than listening to your kids argue and fight and diss me all the time.’

Chris had things to say too; she listened for a bit before jumping in again. ‘I’ve made up my mind, Chris, I’m done. I’m moving out at the end of the week. Chance after chance you have had to make a difference but it’s always the same and I can’t take it anymore.’

The door creaked open slowly and Rita stuck her head into the room. Once she’d seen Tina deep in her call she backed away slowly before anyone noticed her. No point her disturbing her if she was busy, was there?

Donny was back at his desk replying to emails. There was a knock at the door and his face dropped as he spotted the new kid, Dan, stood there. He’d only been in the school five minutes – surely there couldn’t be a problem already? He beckoned him in.

‘Everything OK?’

Dan barged in and took a seat, slouched in the chair like he owned the place.

‘What’s going on, Dan? You can’t just waltz in here like this.’

The boy stared at him. ‘I think me and you need a little chat.’

Donny eyeballed the kid. If Charlie Big Spuds over here thought he was calling the shots, he had another think coming. He raised his voice.

‘If there’s something you need to discuss then you speak to your form tutor and then I take it from there if needed. We have rules in this school and they’re there for a reason.’

Dan looked defiant. ‘Oh, right. I just thought you would want us to keep this between ourselves. But, fair enough, if you want me to shout it from the rooftops that you’re my father then so be it. I’ll do just that then, Dad.’

Donny felt like he’d been slapped. He was choking, his windpipe was closing up, the colour drained from his face. He tried to take a deep breath. He had to be calm, think straight. He walked over to the window, loosened his tie and tried to look casual.