She lets out a breath. “Then they’re going to eat you alive.”
“I can handle them,” I say quickly.
“Like you handled Romain Montford?” My face flushes, making me flustered. What does she know?
I don’t know what to say to that, so I say nothing as she shows me where the dormitories are and the different department buildings. Helen doesn’t bring Romain up again. I keep waiting for her to, but she never does. It must have been a passing comment. Still, it niggles at me all the way through the tour that I keep fidgeting.
When we get outside the staff room, Helen looks at me. “Come on, let me introduce you to everyone. They’re all dying to meet you.”
I stop instead of going inside, shifting my stance.
“Helen,” I say.
She hesitates on the threshold, her hand on the doorknob.
“Why did you mention Romain Montford?” Even saying his name out loud feels like a sin on my lips.
She stares at me, a frown etched on her face. And then, after a pause, she explains… “I saw you talking to him. He’s a nasty little prick who thinks he owns this school and the staff within it. He’s just like his father—got a reputation for bullying the staff and had the last one before you in tears.”
“Really?”
She wrinkles her forehead more. “Do you know him or something?”
“I’ve never met him until now,” I say, heart threatening to leap into my throat.
“Well, don’t let him intimidate you. He can be unwelcoming to new staff. Best to stay away from the founder’s sons.”
Helen must see something on my face because hers softens. “You seem skittish. I’m scaring you, aren’t I? Look, I hired you for a reason. I see potential in you, Bella. This is your vocation. You were meant to teach, even if your family did pull some strings to get you in here. I wouldn’t hire you if I didn’t think you could do the job. It’s okay to be nervous on your first day. Just don’t let them smell fear.”
“It’s just a lot to take in.” My family pulled strings, alright. I practically had to beg my stepfather to give me this job and not marry me off to one of his fat, balding friends. You’re damaged goods, Bella. Who is going to want you now?! A memory of Darren screaming at me while my mother sobs on the floor flashes into my mind.
I lurch away, suddenly feeling sick, but I quickly drag in a breath to counter it. Romain showing up doesn’t change things. I’m still in control. I am, right?
“Helen, no one knows, right? That my stepfather is the head….”
She nods. “Your stepfather didn’t want that known for some reason.” I thought as much, hence my using my mother’s maiden name here, James, instead of his.
After I’ve shaken hands with everyone and fake smiled my way around the room, Helen seeks me out before she leaves for her first class.
“Okay, I think that’s everyone. Any questions before I go to relieve my own class from Mr. Glover?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m good.”
She hands me a thick wad of papers before saying, “Here’s your class schedule. Light enough for your first term. The substitute teacher will hand any work over to you in the next few days, so take that time to adjust. Just make sure to stop by reception before the end of the day to get the keys to your apartment.”
After Helen leaves, I check where I’m supposed to be and throw myself into learning the ropes until the bell tolls for lunchtime. Romain hasn’t shown up again, so I use my one period of free time to collect my keys from the admin building and retrieve the bags from my car.
The apartment, if two rooms and a small bathroom can be called that, is located on the lower floor of the main halls of residence. As part of my job here at Reynard, as well as teaching classes, I’m to act as warden to the junior boarders. What it means is that I don’t have to live with my mother and stepfather. I’ve lived with Darren once before, and I hated every second of it. I’d live in an outhouse before staying under the same roof as him ever again.
After I’ve brought all my things in and unpacked, there’s not enough time for me to grab lunch before I have to go back to class. My body feels impossibly heavy, and the churning in my stomach tells me I might retch if I try to eat some food, anyway.
So I lie on the bed and stare at the ceiling.
Just for a minute.
To catch my breath.
Romain is here.