Everything We Keep, Di Walker [best pdf reader for ebooks txt] 📗

Lawson let out a loud crackling laugh.

They walked on, crossing the road and eventually making it to the house, where Katherine was waiting in the front garden and talking to Rita, who had hobbled along the street on a walking stick.

‘Rita! You’re walking,’ said Agatha.

‘Yes. Doctor said it was fine to get up and about. I came down to say hello to Lawson. It’s good to have you back, though Katherine told me you are off again tomorrow.’

‘Only for two weeks,’ Agatha chipped in.

‘Two weeks for you to train on those stairs so I better find some stairs at Fleet Base and do some training myself,’ Lawson said.

‘Right now it’s breakfast then school,’ Katherine said. ‘I’ll pop down later Rita and catch up.’

Rita hobbled back down the street towards her house, with Lawson and Chief beside her, just in case she needed a hand.

Katherine and Agatha headed inside. ‘You have a quick shower and get ready,’ Katherine said, ‘and I’ll start on breakfast.’

An hour and a half later, Katherine stopped the car on the street just up from the main gates. ‘Do you want me to come in?’ she asked Agatha.

‘No. I’m fine. Lawson said it is a Courage sort of day, and I think he’s right.’

‘Ah, the Navy values. I have no doubt you will soon know all five.’ She reached over and gave Agatha a hug. ‘Courage,’ she whispered into her ear.

As she walked towards the gate, Agatha kept her head down. If everyone knew about her, then everyone would have the same face people always had and she didn’t want to see it, not yet.

‘Morning Agatha,’ a voice called out. She lifted her head just enough to see Mr Brown just up ahead of her, heading towards the Reception building. ‘Mrs Sloane is wanting to speak to you. Why don’t you come with me? I’m heading in that direction.’ Agatha looked around. Several other students who had heard Mr Brown call out were watching her. She pulled the hair band from her ponytail and let her hair curtain each side of her face. She kept walking towards the waiting Mr Brown. Once she was a few steps from him, he started walking ahead. This is not good, she thought to herself.

The Reception was already cool, too cool. Mr Brown stepped back when they had reached the automatic doors and allowed Agatha to walk through first. ‘Have a seat,’ he said to her. ‘I’ll tell Mrs Sloane you’re here.’ He gave her a smile, one that Agatha was pretty sure she was familiar with. It was the ‘there’s bad news coming’ smile. Teachers, social workers, they all have that same one.

Agatha sat. She dropped her backpack beside her. There was no need to think about what was about to happen. She had been in this situation before.

‘We’re just saying, we know it’s not her fault, but it is bothering the other students in her class . . . ’

‘It’s not her fault.’

‘I understand that the living conditions are not ideal, but our children have rights. . . ’

However, this time it was her fault. She didn’t need to take Tully to her house, she could’ve continued the lie. But she didn’t. That’s not what friends do.

‘Come on in Agatha,’ Mrs Sloane said, as she stood next to the Reception counter. As Agatha walked past her, Mrs Sloan gently put her hand on Agatha’s back, either to guide her or to stop her from running, Agatha wasn’t sure which one it was.

To her surprise, Mr Brown was also in Mrs Sloane’s office. It was becoming clear to Agatha now. Mr Brown had heard about her parents and wanted her out of his class. He wouldn’t be the first teacher, she just thought he was different.

‘Take a seat,’ Mrs Sloane said, her hand indicating the chair next to Mr Brown. She moved around to the other side of her desk and opened her notebook. Briefly looking down at her notes she then lifting her head, Mrs Sloane looked directly at Agatha.

‘Tully’s mother called again this morning. She told us about Saturday.’ There was a pause as Mrs Sloane again looked at her notes. ‘What happens out of school, on weekends, is not really our concern, Agatha. And I for one, refuse to allow parents to dictate to us how we should manage our students.’

Agatha glanced at Mr Brown, who was nodding in agreement. This was not the conversation she was used to having. She went to speak then decided against it. Mrs Sloane continued, ‘Nell was very honest with me about your situation, and I have, this morning, informed Mr Brown.’ This time Agatha couldn’t look at him. Mrs Sloane might be in control of her face, but she knew not everyone else was. Agatha now knew why Mr Brown had walked ahead of her.

‘I see no reason to move you from Mr Brown’s Home Group, no need to move your locker away from Tully’s, no need to ban your friendship with anyone, let alone Tully.’ She paused to take in a deep breath. She got out of her chair and came around to the front of her desk. She half sat on the end of it and leaned forward to Agatha. ‘Mr Brown and I believe that you are going to be an excellent student here at Sandy Vale. If you have any problems from anyone, I want you to come to either of us.’

Agatha could no longer remain silent. ‘You don’t get it, Mrs Sloane. Once everyone finds out, you won’t be able to stop it. They won’t be stopped. You’ll have to ask me to leave. Just call Katherine now. She’ll come and get me.’

‘I’m not the giving up type, are you Mr Brown?’

‘Nope.’ He smiled and slapped the palm of his hand onto his knee. ‘Certainly not giving up.’

Agatha laughed but it wasn’t because Mr Brown was being funny. It was a laugh of pain, of sadness that had now filled