‘Morning. Bleeding hell, how early do you two get up? I thought I was going to get some peace and quiet by coming in early.’

Rita jumped in to answer. ‘I’m always in before Donny now. I just open up and flick the heating on, every little helps, doesn’t it, Don?’

‘It sure does, and look at the treatment I get too, coffee and toast. I don’t even get that at home. I’m not complaining, no way.’

Tina pulled a face. ‘Favouritism, that is. She doesn’t give me coffee and toast.’

‘Oi, I always ask you if you’re hungry and you always say no. I treat everyone the same in this place. I hate the lot of you.’

Tina chuckled. ‘Only joking. Do you want me to make you some toast?’

‘Right, I better move myself and get ready for the students.’ Donny wiped the butter off his fingers. ‘I’ve got Ged’s dad coming in to have a word today, and I’m not looking forward to that. The guy’s just got out of jail and no doubt he wants to play the concerned parent card when it comes to his son’s education.’ He rubbed his eyes. ‘Oh yes, and Tina, we’ve got the police in again to see if there is any update on Amelia. It’s baffling. There’s been no sight nor sound of her.’

Tina stood twisting her hair. ‘Do I have to deal with the police? I’ve already told them no one here has a clue where she’s gone. Can’t I sort Ged’s father out and you speak with them instead of me?’

Donny shrugged. ‘I don’t see why not, good luck with Ged’s dad though, he’ll be on the warpath.’

‘I’m sure I can handle him, Donny, I’m a hard case when I need to be.’

Donny just raised his eyebrows and left, humming ‘Eye of the Tiger’ as he went.

Rita stood leaning against the massive fridge and looked at Tina. ‘It’s a mystery where that poor girl has gone, isn’t it? Somebody must know where she is. I mean, how can a kid disappear from the face of the earth just like that and nobody has a clue where she’s gone. It just doesn’t sit right with me. It’s very peculiar.’

Tina nodded and changed the subject quickly. ‘I know. Anyway, I’ll go and check all the rooms to make sure that they’ve been cleaned. Last week there were two classrooms that hadn’t been touched. Honest, the bins were stinking in there. Apple cores and empty crisp packets … hanging it was. We need to keep an eye on those cleaners.’

Rita carried on preparing breakfast, but her eyes followed Tina as she left the room.