Finish the video, dismiss the class and calm Abigail down

There’s no point pressing Abigail. If she wants to talk to someone, she can talk to someone. That someone is unlikely to be you.

“Everyone, pay attention to the video,” you tell the girls. “Silence.” You have to shout that several times before the girls obey. The lure of gossip is strong. Returning to the previous attitude is impossible.

When the video ends you still have fifteen minutes of class, but it’s clear Abigail’s not coming back. Instead, you dismiss the class. They’re all keen to go.

You watch them leave before knocking on Abigail’s door.

“Mrs Sorgood, Abigail, is everything ok?”

For a few moments there’s no reply. Then the click of the lock and the door opens. Abigail stands there, looking small and vulnerable. She’s clearly been crying, her face is a mess, her hair is a mess, her hands are in constant motion. She gestures you should come in, and she shuts the door behind you.

“Thanks for taking the class, I don’t know whether I can face them at the moment.”

“What’s wrong?” She stands there dithering, clearly caught on the knife-edge of choice.

“It’s my ex, Derek. They’ve released him from prison, for good behaviour. I told them they shouldn’t do that, he’s just faking it, but they did it anyway. And… and… he found my parents.”

“Your parents.”

“Part of his bail requirements is to keep away from me and my parents. But he didn’t pay any attention to that. I could have told them that. I got my parents to move. I managed that, but they didn’t want to move far. And they kept in contact with friends. And he found them. He broke in. Demanded to know where I was. They didn’t tell him, and one of the neighbours called the police. But they didn’t catch him. He’s out there, looking for me. I knew it. I knew if he was released he’d come looking for me. He didn’t accept the divorce. He tried to fight it.”

“Are your parents’ alright?”

“Yes, yes, they’re under police protection.”

“Don’t you think you should go to them?”

“I’d love to, but they don’t think it’s safe. He might be watching. They’re going to move them to a safe house. Once they’ve done that, they might let me see them, but until then I have to lie low. Hopefully they’ll capture him soon. He’s broken parole; as soon as they find him, he’s back in prison. Except they won’t find him. They won’t catch him. He’s always been one step ahead of the law. They only caught him last time because I helped them.”

“He doesn’t know you’re here.”

“No, no, he has no idea. I hope he has no idea. Oh fuck. I knew it. I knew once they released him, he’d come after me.”

You sit her down and kneel before her. “Abigail, you have friends here. We’ll protect you. If he turns up, he’ll have to go through me.”

She looks into your eyes and there’s pride but there’s also fear. “No, don’t do that. You don’t know what he’s like. You couldn’t stand against him. He’s a monster of a man. He’ll rip through you to get to me. Don’t do that. Don’t.”

You throw your arms around her and pull her close, hugging her, trying to ignore the pressure of her breasts against your chest, feeling her sobbing gasps as she buries her head into your shoulder. Time has no meaning. You just hold her.

The bell for class rings. You get out your phone and text Spencer and Anissa to come to Abigail’s office. You go back to holding her until the two of them arrive. They’re soon taking your place, hugging and holding their friend. Abigail goes through her worried talk again.

You leave her with her two friends, after reminding her that if she ever needs any help, or any comfort, you are there to offer it.