Bad Little Girl(20)

Oh why couldn’t he see past appearances! The girl needed help, there was something going on, something very bad . . . Hadn’t he learned anything from Jade Wood? That was before his time, but still . . . She took a deep breath.

‘I think we need to call it in. Call social services.’

‘Christ, Claire – this isn’t going to reach their threshold.’ James’ face had aged in irritation. ‘You know that.’

Claire thought quickly, and changed tack. ‘We have to cover ourselves, James. Imagine if it’s true – as bad as it could be. Remember that little boy killed by his step-father – in Southampton, was it? The school was raked over the coals. And Jade Wood, I’m sorry, but—’

James winced. ‘I think you’re overstating it, Claire, I really do. It’s a very different school now, we’ve put in so much safeguarding work . . .’ He really believes that, Claire thought wonderingly. He chuckled nervously. ‘If we go to them with he said/she said tattle-tale, it’s a huge waste of their time. They have serious cases.’

‘But what if this is a serious case? We didn’t pay enough attention to Jade, and look what happened. James? There are guidelines for a reason.’

James drummed his fingers. ‘Look, how about this. We meet with the girl and her mum sometime next week. If there’s anything to go on, we’ll call it in to social services. OK?”

Claire took a deep breath. ‘Tomorrow would be best I think. Without her mum.’ Now that Claire asserted herself, she was surprisingly calm and implacable. ‘All the Year Twos have tomorrow morning is singing assembly, and Lorna could miss that. And yes, alright, we’ll see it as a preliminary to calling it in properly. And, James? I’d like to be there too,’ Claire said as firmly as she could. The poor little girl should have a friendly face there.

‘All right. That’s a lot of work you’ve put my way, Claire, potentially. Just so you know. And all based on a “feeling” of yours.’

‘It’s based on observation and information, James,’ Claire said quietly.

‘Well. All right. Tomorrow, then. Tuesday.’ He shoved his arms into his coat and stood up without looking at her. ‘Now I’ve got to have what I expect to be a particularly lively meeting with Reverend Gary, and then I’ve got my own kids to get back to’

She let herself out of his office, feeling proud of herself for the first time in months.



* * *



‘You agree with James, then?’ Claire asked.

‘I didn’t say that. Sit down. Tea.’ Norma sat down herself, heavily, on the broad brown chesterfield sofa. Her back was bothering her.

‘I can’t, I mean we have to take this seriously—’

‘Naturally.’

‘I’d be – it would just be wrong not to report it.’

‘And I agree with you. Claire, sit down, please, and pour the tea.’

‘But you said—’

‘I said, are you sure you know what you’re talking about? Sit down, you look ready to drop! What exactly have you been told?’

Claire perched on the stern oak chair by the fire. ‘Lorna says things have been happening at home – abuse . . .’

‘No. All you know is that her mother tells you that she makes things up.’

‘And what I’ve seen.’

‘Which is what exactly?’

‘That she’s scared to go home—’

‘But she went home, didn’t she? And went in willingly?’

‘Ye-es. And I saw her mother hit her that time in the playground.’

‘Two years ago! And a smack, not a hit. Again, not good, but not evidence of anything sinister, either. Claire, it wasn’t too long ago that smacking children was normal behaviour.’

‘I . . .’

‘You have a feeling, Claire. An intuition.’

‘Yes.’

‘Well, you did the right thing by telling James, but I have to say – and don’t blow up – that I understand his exasperation. Child protection is a minefield. And nobody wants to make the wrong call, and what you did, by doing the right thing, and following your intuition, is give that man a potentially huge headache. Why do you think social services will take you seriously? They’ve hardly been covering themselves with glory lately. And what is it about this girl? Claire? Every year I hear this name, and every year it causes you some worry. Is she particularly bright?’

‘I’m not sure. Potentially, I’d say, yes.’

‘But still . . .’

‘I don’t think it’s about her especially. There’s just something – I don’t know – going on, that’s all.’

Norma sighed and looked down at the table for a long time. Claire felt her frustration rise. She’d done the right thing, the brave thing! Why couldn’t anyone see that?

‘Claire. Do you remember when I used to tell you, when you were small, that you should never be a teacher? Yes? Well, I wasn’t being especially serious. You were a child. But still, there was a kernel of truth there. No, No,’ she held up her hand, ‘listen to me now. It’s not that I think for a minute that you’re a bad teacher. Absolutely not. You’re one of the best. Certainly I couldn’t have lasted five minutes in that school. But. Oh, God. More tea?’