Go get help and possibly something else

“I’ll get security,” you tell Krystal. Before she can respond you head to the exit, down the stairs and off down the corridor.

Where’s security? Where’s security?

Outside the changing rooms.

There’s a couple of staff chatting, one a burly man used to working out and with him a muscular woman, both clad in the leisure centre’s uniform, light enough that they can exercise in it, but enough to cover them up. You break up their conversation to tell them what’s going on in the court.

The woman’s on a walky-talky straight away. The burly man runs off in the direction you came. Once the woman has alerted everyone on the walky-talky, she’s off after him. Leaving you alone, outside the changing rooms, outside the women’s changing rooms.

It’s easy to look inside. A brief glance shows you 4 bags. You recognise each one. The plump, well-used sports bag is Blair’s. The shinning new one is Anissa’s. The one plastered with stickers is Layla’s. The inappropriate rucksack is Spencer’s. They’re all out in the open. Anyone could sneak in and steal what’s in them. Anyone, including you.

Have they changed their knickers? Could you steal their underwear and fuel the cap of dreams? Now’s your opportunity. You take it.

You feel exposed slipping into the women’s changing rooms. One thing peering in, another to actually enter. One thing to catch sight of a forbidden room, another to steal forbidden items. Straight to the bag you want. In. Pick out the knickers. Stuff them in your pocket. Out.

Just in time as well. You’ve only just left as you pass another group of women heading in that direction. You keep your head turned away. Any moment you expect them to shout out. Your heart’s thumping so loud you’re certain everyone can hear it. You expect to be called back at any moment. But you’re not.

Only then do you head back to the court. Everything’s over. The men are being escorted out by security. They look the worse for wear. The women are recounting what happened.

Blair sees you return. “Where were you?” she sneers.

“I was getting help,” you tell her. It doesn’t appear to wash.

“I always knew you were a chicken,” Layla states from behind. She glares daggers at you. Spencer and Anissa look at you with distrust.

“We didn’t need help,” Blair states.

One of the staff chuckles. “Yes, they’re regretting taking you on.”

“Oh, they’ll regret it even more once Mr Altobello learns what they were up to,” Layla chimes in.

You’re confused. “What?”

Krystal fills you in. “They’re from the Altobello Estate.”

“The what Estate?” You don’t remember any estate called that.

“That’s not really its name. It’s the couple of streets to the north of the town. When Mr Altobello moved in, he bought every house in them to house his people. Everyone just calls it the Altobello Estate now.”

“When he bought the houses, her promised the Town Council they’d behave,” Layla throws in.

“Yere, no nasty behaviour,” Krystal chuckles. “Although I’ve had a few of them get nasty, in a good way.” She winks at you.

“Altobello?” That name rings a bell. “Why have I heard that name?”

“His eldest daughter is one of your students, Upper Sixth ‘C’ Stream,” Layla chimes in.

Yes, you remember the girl. Melanie Altobello. She’s the one everyone says is Ellie’s chief tormentor.

You leave the women then and head back home, more confused than you were. But in your pocket, you hold a prize.