by Jacky Gray
“It sounds cool.” Liv was used to helping out and Miss Leon had obviously put a lot of effort into making the obligatory revision lesson less boring. As Liv cleared a space on the front desk to make room for the score-cards she came across an envelope with Ray’s name on it. This could be her chance. Before she could do anything, Lenny came over.
“Sorry, Liv. I have to check the rota in the staff room.”
“It’s ok. I can finish up here so it’s all ready. It sounds as though there’s a lot to get through so we’ll want to start as soon as possible.”
“You’re absolutely right. I’ll leave the door latched; make sure you close it firmly when you leave.”
“Of course.”
This was too good to be true. The setting-up took a few minutes, then she checked no one was peering through the glass pane in the door, and grabbed the envelope. She crouched in the footwell of Lenny’s desk and opened it, pulling out two sheets of paper. The first had the usual facts: address, doctor, emergency contact numbers and special needs. Nothing in the diet or allergy boxes, simply the word “wheelchair” under “others.”
The next section included a summary of his year nine results using the old SATs grading. The expected national average was level five/six, and he scored mostly sevens, with eights for Maths, English, IT and PE, putting him in the top five percent in the country. Each subject teacher had given a brief comment. With a nervous glance at the clock, she skimmed through the note from his tutor feeling a little guilty; this was so intrusive.
The man praised Ray’s performance with continual references about what a pleasure he was to teach. One phrase stuck out: “a boy who will be successful in whatever he chooses to do. A credit to his parents who continually honours the school with his sporting achievements.” Hah; this was something. She glanced back to the PE teacher’s comment which suggested Ray would swim for his country one day; maybe even at the Olympics. Wow. He was that good.
She looked up excitedly; she had been right about those trophies; they must have been his. Why try to pass them off as his brother’s? The second page was a typed letter bearing the crest of his previous school. Her eyes went to the bottom; underneath the scrawled signature was the name J. Peterson, Headmaster. She stopped. This felt so bad, but it was too late; her brain had registered the words “trauma-induced paralysis.”
She read the closing paragraph where the headmaster expressed his regret that such a model student should have suffered the accident resulting in the trauma-induced paralysis of his lower body. He mentioned the possibility Ray would make a full recovery and referenced the medical report of his condition which had been attached. Liv noticed a scrap of paper clinging to a staple where a sheet had obviously been torn off. The report would probably have gone to the first-aider’s file, but Liv had seen enough. Replacing the envelope, she had barely enough time to dash to the loo before the bell rang.
The quiz was a shambles. No, that’s not true, she was a shambles; the quiz was a great idea. Lenny split the room down the middle and Ray got Luke, Kevin and Carla on his side. She had Jude and Neil who were reasonable mathematicians, but the only one on her side who really knew her stuff was Becky. Between them, they managed not to trail too far behind. On three occasions, her team-mates disagreed and she had to make the final decision. Each time, she chose the wrong one, successfully alienating both Jude and Neil. She was so glad when Lenny announced the end, sympathising with her team and saying they’d do better next time.
“I’m assuming you want there to be a next time?”
“Yes.” Most of the class were in accord and Ray and Luke were triumphant, exchanging high and low fives with everyone around them. Except Liv couldn’t quite look at Ray in the same way, knowing what she did about him. There must be a way.
“Are you ok, Olivia?” Lenny’s quiet concern made her jump violently and blush bright red.
“What? Oh, sorry Miss Leon, I’ve got a headache.” That much was true.
“That explains it. I hoped you’d have given them a better run for their money. You do look flushed, maybe you’re coming in for something. Would you like to go and get something from first-aid?”
“No, I’m sure it’ll go away, it’s a bit stuffy in here. I’ll be fine, honestly.” Please leave me alone. People were beginning to notice.
After a decidedly odd look, Lenny left her alone and drew everyone’s attention to the URLs of the useful revision websites.
The display in the dining hall for the “Healthy Eating” drive reduced the available space. Luke and Ray were a few places ahead and found a table, but by the time the girls reached it, only one seat remained. Jude plonked her tray next to Ray and started to talk to Luke about the geography homework they were supposed to be handing in after lunch. Kat grabbed Liv’s arm, hustling her to a couple of seats two younger boys were in the process of vacating.
Liv sat down in an increasingly dark mood. “What’s her problem?”
“Who?” Kat followed the trail of daggers from Liv’s eyes. “Why should Jude have a problem?”
“Going off with the lads like that.”
“You heard her; she wants to pump Luke for the homework answers. Probably hasn’t even done it yet, knowing Jude. Anyway, there aren’t three seats together; someone would have ended up on different tables.”
“Hmmm.” Liv wasn’t convinced but then she didn’t have Kat’s generous good nature. “You sure she’s not still mad at me?”
“Why should she be mad at you?”
“Didn’t you see the look she gave me over the simultaneous equation question?”
“No. But I thought you were right, all along. I was always useless at those things. It’s not like you to get it wrong, though.” Kat’s mission in life usually involved lots of oil to pour on troubled waters.
“I had a lot on my mind.”
“I saw you blush when Lenny spoke to you. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Oh, come on Liv, I know you. If you don’t tell me, I’m going to guess until I get it right. I know, you were spending ages with Terry on Saturday, you didn’t call him a raging queer, did you?”
“What?”
“Well, you did call Ray a cr ...”
“I know what I called him.” I really don’t need reminding what a Queen B I am. “No, it’s not that. Actually, I’m having doubts about Terry. At least I was ’til Ray said ...”
“Don’t try to change the subject. Let’s see. What other weak, defenceless creatures could have suffered at your hands, or rather your tongue. Oh, no. Not poor Miss Hindle. You didn’t mention how her pink cardi clashes with the red skirt? I was in dire need of sunglasses when I walked past this morning.”
“No. I’m sorry, Kat, but this time I honestly can’t tell you.”
Kat folded her arms. “No secrets, no lies, remember.”
“I remember. But this isn’t mine to tell.”
Kat was unmoved by her pleading expression, gazing unmercifully.
Liv leaned closer and hissed, “I can’t say anything with all these people about.” Unfortunately for her, the people next to them got up to leave.
“All what people? They just left.”
Liv took a deep breath. “It’s about Ray.”
“You got to see his notes, right?”
“Shhh. You don’t have to announce it to the world. This is serious stuff.”
Kat’s eyes went wide as saucers as she leaned forward with a theatrical whisper. “Why, was it very bad?”
“Quite the opposite. Before the accident he was a level seven/eight student and a potential Olympic swimmer according to his PE teacher.”
“So, what happened?”
“It didn’t say. But I saw lots of swimming trophies at his house and he tried to tell me they were his brother’s.”
“And what about after; was he all moody and uncooperative like Luke?”
“I didn’t have time to read the whole thing, but I don’t think so.”
“Was there anything else?”
Liv hesitated. So far, she hadn’t let on anything they couldn’t have worked out, given enough time, but “trauma induced paralysis” – that was something else entirely. She trusted Kat, but this was huge. If she’d got it wrong ... it didn’t bear thinking about.
Ray’s arrival spared her the decision. “Come on, you two. I need some company while those lovebirds finish their homework.”
“So, Liv. What were you saying about Terry?”
“What?” Liv blushed again. Until the very last word of the sentence, she’d been convinced Kat would ask about Ray – right in front of him!! But talking about Terry wasn’t much better; she felt uncomfortable discussing his sexuality in public. It was bad enough at the ice rink, but here in school? No way. She thought fast.
“I – um. I’d never realised how well he skates; not as good as Jude, but he made a real difference to me.”
Liv hoped Kat would stay away from their previous topic, but Ray watched them so intently she didn’t dare risk a nudge or unspoken hint. Was she imagining her friend’s odd little look?
Kat smiled enthusiastically at Ray. “Yeah I really enjoyed it; we must do it again soon. What do you think, Ray?”
He looked at Liv so strangely she was in danger of getting paranoid. Was she such a bad liar that everyone saw straight through her? Maybe it was the extra head she grew with all this healthy eating.
At last he spoke, rather abruptly. “I think Jude and Luke won’t be up to it this weekend, not after Fernley.”
“I’d forgotten about that. How come they’re not out training now?”
Although answering Kat’s question, Ray never took his eyes off Liv. “It’s only tomorrow and Thursday. Apparently Mr Green doesn’t want to wear them out before the big event.”
“Uncommonly decent of him; getting soft in his old age, is he?” Liv couldn’t shift the idea Ray was scrutinising her every word, and wished she could find something nice to say about people.
“Never mind grotty Green, I think we should make it a regular thing.” Oblivious to the undercurrent, Kat rabbited on about asking Terry after lunch, and trying to remember which lesson she had next.
21 Who’s Zooming Who?
“So, did you manage to finish the geography homework?” Liv asked on the way home. She didn’t care a fig about the homework; she was simply testing the waters with Jude to see if she imagined the slight rift between them. It was impossible to tell in biology as they sat at opposite ends of the room.
“Yeah, thanks. But hey, I’ve got a great bit of gossip for you.” Jude grabbed her arm as they walked with Ray.
Yep, she was definitely getting paranoid in her old age. “You, gossip? Never.”
Jude carried on regardless. “You know this open evening thing? The geography department are doing a display of foods from all over the world, so we had to get into groups to organise a couple of things each.”
“This is gossip?” Liv loved the comic emphasis of Brooklyn inflection, using it often. “They do it every year.”
“No, it’s obviously not the gossip. Are you sure they did it last year?”
Ray rolled his eyes. “Never mind, just get on with it.”
“Right.” Jude seemed to be struggling to maintain her cool. “Luke an’ me were sitting together so we joined Danielle and Carla to do Indian food. We all like samosas and pakoras an’ that kind of thing.”
“Luke can suddenly cook. Is that the gossip?” Liv couldn’t resist the tease.
Ray pitched in. “Nah, he’ll just get his dad to buy them from Sainsbury’s.”
“Shut up, you two. You’ll never guess who came weaselling her way into the group, demanding to join?”
“The weasel bit has to be a clue.” Ray pretended to have a Eureka moment. “I’ve got it, Cecily.”
“Close. I see what you mean about her pointy-face. All she’d need is a few whiskers.” Jude grinned. “No, it was Diana.”
“And? Maybe she likes popadoms and mango chutney.” Ray did a mean Indian parody, with head movements and everything.
“Possibly, but she shoved poor Danielle out of the way so she could sit next to Luke and she kept agreeing with everything he said.”
“So, the boy talks a lot of sense.” Liv couldn’t utter those words without the obligatory Brooklyn accent and accompanying shrug.
“If you two are just gonna make fun of me ...” Jude stopped dead and positively pouted.
Liv squeezed her arm. “Sorry, we’re simply teasing. But so far it doesn’t sound like a fine romance to me.”
“Maybe you had to be there. She just seemed to, I dunno, find any excuse to touch him; she practically snuggled up next to him at one point.”
“And what about him? How did he react?” Ray’s tone tried hard for nonchalance, but missed.
Jude’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think he took much notice at the start, but I did see him shift away slightly; at least it could have been ...”
“Are you crazy? The poor guy’s skin was probably shrivelling to get away from her. Have you forgotten what he called her?”
“When?” Both girls sang out in unison.
“I can’t remember exactly.” Ray frowned. “Something like a nasty, narrow-minded cretin.”
“Or even a nasty, small-minded bint. I remember now.” Jude grinned.
“Whatever. He certainly didn’t sound like someone who would be remotely interested if she threw herself at him, even if she were naked.”
“Ray. You’re awful.” Jude all but smacked his arm. “Mind you, I wouldn’t put it past her.”
Liv watched their exchange with interest, trying to figure out exactly what was going on between Ray and Jude. Although they teased each other incessantly, it had lost the flirty element she’d witnessed at the ice rink. Or was that just wishful thinking on her part?
“She certainly seems to be capable of that kind of behaviour, from what I’ve seen so far. No shame that one.”
“But you’re missing the point. There’s some real bad history between them going all the way back to year seven. As you said, he should have been flinching away from her, but he didn’t.”
“Ok. I see now where this is coming from. I thought you were getting quite pally with the jock. You’re jealous.”
Jude’s denial was lost as Ray continued; his mission to wind Jude up went beyond funny.
“You’ll be making Kat jealous.” Ray winked.
“How many times do we have to say that Kat and Luke are not an item?” Liv’s comment came a split second before Jude’s protest.
“I don’t think him helping me with my geography homework is a fine romance either.”
“What about ice dancing with you for hours on end?” Ray had the tenacity of a dog with a bone.
“Rubbish, and anyway, Kat and Terry were doing it, too. Does that mean they’re an item?” Jude’s cheeks reddened as she denied it hotly.
Ray’s eyes positively seared with an impish glow. “Oh, no. Terry’s more interested in Liv, here.”
“What?” Jude’s eyes lit up as she turned them on Liv like lasers.
Liv struggled to maintain a cool tone, all the time fighting back the heat threatening to redden her cheeks. “I think you’re some kind of Jewish matchmaker, Ray Donelly. You’ve got everyone paired off except yourself.”
“I’m just waiting for some decent talent to come along.” Deliciously devilish.
“That’s it. You can walk the rest of the way home by yourself.” Jude’s attempt at umbrage got scuppered as he pointed to his front door.
“What all six yards? I’ll die of loneliness by the time I get there. See you tomorrow, ladies.” A deep bow acknowledged his tiny victory, and he blew them kisses before rolling up his drive.
They could hear his wicked chuckle as they walked toward the bus stop.
Jude fanned herself with a book. “He’s too much, that one.”
“Yeah, much too cheeky by half. S
omeone needs to teach him a lesson.” Despite the complicated mix of signals, Liv knew exactly the type of things she wanted to teach him, and they didn’t involve maths.
“Yeah, right. I’m sure we’ll think of something. The word ‘comeuppance,’ springs to mind.”
An opportunity presented itself the following day in English when Mr Johnston put them in teams of four for a short activity. He explained the complicated scoring system for identifying each of the quotes about roses, receiving several groans.
“Ok, it sounds harder than it is. One point for spotting every quote which is not by Shakespeare, a bonus point if you can name the author. One point for identifying each of the three sonnets, and one point for each of the five plays, with an extra point if you can give me a sonnet number or play title.”
Liv grabbed a pen. “Anyone mind if I scribe? And come closer, you three. We don’t want anyone overhearing.”
“Blimey, girl”. Jude winked. “You’re even more competitive than I am.”
“Only in the academic stuff.” Liv knew her limitations, “I reckon number six isn’t Shakespeare.”
Luke read it out. “Six. ‘It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses we must plant more trees.’ Yeah, it’s more of a soundbite. And number nine is much too modern.”
“Mmmm. ‘I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.’ As if.” Jude frowned. “Sounds like something a feminist might say.”
“Do we know any famous feminists? Do we even care?” Ray sounded bored by the activity.
Working together, Jude and Luke identified number four as a non-Shakespeare quote.
Luke tapped the paper. “And thirteen sounds modern, too.”
Liv read the quote about an idealist thinking roses would make better soup than cabbage because they smell better. With a grin, she marked it “Not S.”
“Funny though.” Luke chuckled. “How many does that leave?”