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THIRTY-NINE

GEORGIE

Tethered to the wall-mounted phone in her mum’s kitchen, Georgie paced and wiped her wet cheeks with a tattered tissue. “I-I don’t know what to do. Teaching is who I am.”

“This fucking SUCKS!” Eden hissed. “Teachers like you should be protected, but nooo! They save lazy fuckers like fucking Duncan instead! I don’t give a fuck if he’s got two years on you. He’s shit!”

A trio of beeps trilled in Georgie’s ear. “E, the call waiting is⁠—”

“You go!” said Eden. “Stay strong!”

“I’ll try. Bye.” Georgie tapped the phone’s hook switch and the waiting call connected. “Hello?”

“Gi!”

Hearing Michael’s voice triggered more tears. “Hi.”

“Got your message. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!”

“I know…!” She sobbed.

“Aw, Gigi. Look, I’m at Chester station heading to a showing, but I can postpone and come over,” said Michael.

“No, don’t cancel work. Mum and I—” Cecilia swept into the kitchen carrying a delivery bag from Swiss Chalet. “Uh, dinner’s arrived. Can we talk later?”

“Defo. I’ll be home after nine-thirty. You call me, ’kay? We’ll figure this out. Love ya, Gi.”

“Love ya, Bou.”

* * *

Looking mournful, Cecilia sat down at the small kitchen table with her rotisserie chicken sandwich. “Georgina, you need to eat something.”

Instead of answering, Georgie wearily stabbed her chicken breast with a fork.

Cecilia reached out and covered her daughter’s hand with hers. “Honey, want me to call Oliver?”

“Already did. Got his voicemail.”

They sat in silence for several beats, then Cecilia said, “I know the school wants to keep continuity for the students’ sake, but I think it’s a bit cruel making you go in there for three more months. You’d think they’d show a little compassion.”

Georgie stared despondently at her water glass. “I’m going to miss my students and Eden so much.”

“Laporte didn’t mention where you might be reassigned?”

“It’s too early to say.” The back of her nose began to ache and tickle again. “Mum, what if I can’t get another history position?”

“You’re a wonderful teacher, Georgina. You’ll succeed with whatever subject they give you.”

This ruins everything. She closed her eyes tight, but tears breached her lashes. “My thirty-first birthday is in two months.”

Cecilia picked at her rotisserie chicken sandwich. “I know how important it was to you, this idea of becoming department head at the same age as your dad, but⁠—”

“Mum, I was so close. I just wanna make you both proud.”

“Sweetheart, you already have. Your dad would be thrilled with your accomplishments and be the first to say he had it much easier in his day. Gordon didn’t have to do half the things they expect of you.”

“And what was it all for?” Georgie held a tissue to her streaming nose. “I worked my ass off and still got let go.”