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“I also wanted to admit I made a mistake last fall. You should’ve been granted the Vimy trip.”

What? Did he just…? Georgie cocked her head. She wasn’t expecting that.

“Not only were you the more deserving teacher, but”—Laporte cleared his throat—“I was wrong to say you weren’t up to the task due to your migraine condition.”

Georgie blinked. God, where was a tape recorder when you needed one!

“My new girlfriend has migraine attacks.” Laporte swivelled his chair slowly. “I didn’t know much about them before her, but now I can see you did the right thing, leaving your class in Eden’s care until you were able to safely resume.” Nodding, he toyed with a pen on his desk. “You had every right to be angry and feel discriminated against. What I did and said wasn’t right or fair. I’m not proud of it, and if I could do it differently, I would.” Stilling his chair, he looked up. “I’m truly sorry.”

An apology? Were there two moons in the sky? Georgie suppressed the fizzy impulse to punch the air in vindication.

“I’ve sent the board a letter stating as much,” he continued, “and have asked for it to be kept in your file, so you won’t experience any future ramifications related to my error. Now, it won’t change the trip decision, but everyone’s aware of your exceptional standing as a teacher and member of our school community.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

Laporte adopted a tight smile. Admitting a mistake was never easy—for anyone.

But there was still something Georgie needed to know. “Who told you I stepped out that day?”

“My cousin, he’s a security guard there. He saw several students wearing Midtown Collegiate t-shirts that day and paid closer attention than usual.”

“Oh.” She exhaled quietly, relieved the informant wasn’t one of her students.

“I also have news about the promotion.”

Now we’re talking. Georgie sat up straighter.

He splayed the papers on his desk. “Georgina, I’m sorry to say there won’t be one.”

The milky tea she’d been enjoying curdled in her stomach. She stared back, jaw dropping. “What—why?”

Laporte swivelled his chair again. “Enrollment has been declining in our district over the past few years. We’ve fought hard not to lose staff but can’t hold off any longer. We won’t be replacing retiring teachers and have to eliminate classes as well as declare a staff surplus.”

Meaning a teacher would be leaving Midtown Collegiate Institute. Grasping her bracelet, Georgie bounced her right knee.

“The school and the board will assist the affected in finding another worksite in the district,” said Laporte. “They’ll still be employed…just not here.”

Georgie was devastated to have her promotion aspirations dashed but also felt sick for the teacher being reassigned. While they sometimes had gripes with one another, they were still a solid team working toward the same goals. “It’s last in, first out, right?”

“Yes.”

Georgie gulped. “So Brian?”

Laporte nodded grimly. “And you, Georgina.”

Her heart catapulted into her throat, her eyes widening. “Me?!”

“We have to surplus two roles. I know you’ve been here almost nine years, but even so, you were the last full-time hire before Brian.” He pressed his thin lips and shifted in his chair, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. “I’m so sorry.”

Chest tightening, Georgie dragged in a breath. No promotion, no job! The room started to close in as she struggled, holding back impending tears.

“I know you must have questions.”

Her mind spun erratically, and for the first time in forever, she couldn’t think of a single one. She squeaked out a “no”, choking back a sob.

“It’ll be business as usual until the end of the school year,” said Laporte. “You’ll be expected to fulfill all your obligations and…”

Reeling, Georgie didn’t hear another word.