I was aware of what everyone else was thinking when I walked into the classroom. The voice was spiteful and gleeful as it shouted the most terrible things about my father. I would have lashed out at the people daring to think those thoughts but…the same things were passing through my head.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPc1YSMwZX
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Clara…790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPKdRnDnx2
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What was it about the name that haunted me? Was it merely because it was the name of the woman who my father wronged?790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YgZRDDEzJ
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“What in the world happened? Everyone’s saying that Uncle Tony…”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzlAA3pK3z
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Jenny, who had cut me off from her life since Jolly's funeral was the only one who bothered to come over to me. She was incredulous, eager to hear me contradict the accusations. But what could I say?790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1F1r6gSJX
She read the worst from my silence. “No…That’s stupid.”
I could see Nancy looking at me. Her expression not hostile for once. But she made no move to come over.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuE87mTHRo
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“I heard it, Jenny. I was there.”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDQ6qA6jEL
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She opened her mouth to speak but stopped when footsteps sounded from outside the class. The one who entered was not Roy Sir, our Physics Master who was supposed to take the first hour, but Lekha Madam, our headmistress.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08kg3h82vZ
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One thing to say about Lekha Madam is that she is an example for ‘appearances are deceptive.’ A short petite woman who looked as fragile and delicate as glass. But beware anyone who mistook her weak appearance for a lack of authority. With a booming loud voice and an uncanny ability to command, Lekha Madam soon set them straight.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BbQbyC2kb
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“Before class starts, I would like to pass along a message from our manager.” She frowned as if she was taking especially nasty tasting medicine. “As you all might now, the Inspector is waiting to question all members of Jolly’s class. Our manager wants the incident of two weeks ago not mentioned. No matter what kind of questions the Inspector asks.”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos1smwW30a
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“That…” Before anyone reacted Jenny was on her feet. “That is not something we should hide from the police.”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKaj39mtu7
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“Jennifer…”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEvWxJ4Kow
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“What he insists is hardly fair. We can’t conceal the truth.”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA4KHAlkqK
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“Jennifer…”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS061zfWJSk
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“What is he so afraid of? Did you ask him that? Is he afraid of…”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcKhlSnAql
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“JENNIFER!”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z410wTzMM
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Jennifer gasped, looked here and there. “I…”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisHgc8XC0j
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“Jenny…” Lekha Madam said kindly. “I understand your feelings but…I advise you not to get into trouble.”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Z1deNoe6
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“What has my Dad threatened to do to students not heeding his request?”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsfIuiwnfG
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“Expulsion. Any student who divulges the information will be expelled.” Lekha Madam’s voice was calm but the voice told me how angry she was. "That is what your father, the manager, said."790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MHWJhcCQp
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A stony silence filled the classroom. I wondered how many of them were making the same decision as me. To hell with any warning! That incident is the first thing the Inspector would hear from me.
To be continued...
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