It was late afternoon the snow falling gently on the greyness of the school playground, Mel loved this time of year, the children were excited about doing their Christmas show. Seeing all the excited faces she helped them get into their winter jackets, scarves, gloves, boots all wrapped up warm, they had been so well behaved that she had promised them a snowball fight in the yard before their parents came to collect them.

"Miss, miss" looking down she saw 5 year old Josh, beaming smile, yet his eyes looked so sad

"Yes darling"

"Miss, little Lilly is scared" thanking Josh she headed to the clock room telling the children that Jess her classroom assistant would lead them out. Not to hurt anyone and play nicely. Heading towards the coats she saw Lilly curled up in a small ball, sobbing her heart out.

"Lilly, sweetheart what has got you so upset, come on darling up from the cold floor" pulling the small girl into her arms, she held her tight, whilst she calmed down. Her emerald eyes, gazed up at her, her thumb in her mouth, she was the cutest little girl, she had moved to the UK from Texas she was sure had been on her notes. A very shy little girl, but so loving, Mel had yet to meet her dad, as Lilly went to after school club in the hall until her dad finished work.

"What's snow?" she whispered into Mel's ear

"What's snow? Well sweetheart it is little flakes that fall from the sky so soft they melt on your skin, cold to the touch and beautiful to see"

"Oh, would they hurt me?"

"No darling they are sent by the fairies, I guess you don't have snow in Texas sweetheart. Come on let's wrap you up warm and I will let you play in it" Seeing the little girl nod, she helped her get her coat on holding her hand she led her to the playground with the others. Seeing the happiness on the children's faces Lilly inched out her face turned up to the sky as the snow hit it. She laughed holding Mel's hand

"It feels so cold" Mel laughed with her, it was good to see her smile, she had heard rumours, but she had never been one to gossip, she hated rumours thought they could cause to many problems, isolate children before they had a chance to make friends. Here at Oakdale she knew how vindictive and cruel the mums could be, if your face didn't fit, or you didn't wear the correct clothes you were out of the click. Mel hated that with a passion, she treated everyone equally.

"Miss, why you holding Lilly's hand she doesn't belong here, she should go back where she came from, we don't want…."

"Nathan Thomas, don't you dare speak like that again to Lilly, how would you feel if someone came up to you and said that" Nathan wouldn't like it, but he heard from his mum that Lilly was different she had two daddies and no mummy, that wasn't normal.

"But"

"Go and get your coat off and sit in the classroom, I will speak to you in a minute" this was one of the reasons she hated gossip. Mum's talked without the full facts, then the children heard their version and words were said that shouldn't be. Handing Lilly to jess to mind she headed indoors, knowing she would have to speak to Nathan's mum

"So Nathan, why did you feel it was ok to say that to Lilly?"

"She's weird miss, it isn't normal she has two daddies and no mummy"

"Nathan, where did you hear that from?"

"Mummy told me" It wasn't Nathan's fault his mum was an outright bitch, she brought Nathan up on her own and boy did everyone know about it, she told all and sundry her business. Most of it people didn't really need to know, but that was how she was loud and cocky.

"Well we will have to see what your mummy says wont we" looking out to the yard, she noticed the parents coming in, meeting them at the door. She helped the children get sorted, pulling Miss Thomas to the side.

"Oh Miss Thomas could I please have a word, if you have a second"

"Yes of course, I do hope Nathan is not in trouble" Miss Thomas was a mother lion protecting her cub, when it came to her precious son who could do no wrong, this was the fourth time she had to speak to her about Nathan. Or more to the point the things she said in front of him that he chose to repeat at school, to either hurt or bully the child concerned. She was a typical plastic, fake Barbie as far as she was concerned without a brain cell to rub together, she didn't work just sat at home all day. It was people like Mel who paid for her to sit at home, and at times it rubbed her up the wrong way. Yet she was always polite, hell half the time, the women had designer clothes the latest phone. Yes she was jealous, and it wasn't something she liked to admit to, she was no Barbie, in fact she was more like your wall flower hidden in the shade. At 5ft, petite, a gorgeous figure her ex boyfriend told her, yes so good he left her for her best friend. Her deep red hair hung down her back in a long ponytail, if she left it loose the children would play with it all day.

Waiting until the last child had left, including Lilly who had gone to after school club, she sat down taking a deep breath.

"Nathan spoke out of turn today Miss Thomas and I do not appreciate him talking to another child like he did"

"Oh, well did the child not deserve it" Mel was shocked about her attitude towards the situation, most parents would try to find out more and help sort it out. Not actually blame the victim

"No she did not Miss Thomas and I am afraid if Nathan continues with his behaviour we will have no alternative to remove him from class"

"You can't do that, how dare you, excuse my Nathan, who was this child I demand to know" oh she could demand all she bloody wanted, Mel was well within her rights not to reply. As she continued with her rant, of how her precious boy was an angel, Mel noticed a tall man at the door, beckoning him to come in, she asked him to wait in the corner, whilst she finished with the parent. Glancing over at him, they didn't get his type here often even Miss Thomas was drooling was all Mel could say, in fact it looked disgusting as if she wanted to eat him alive. He must have been hitting seven foot, well dressed in a dark suit, black shirt, long winter coat covered with snow, his black hair tied back in a ponytail, quickly taking in his features, he had a black goatee beard and the most beautiful emerald eyes, could this be Lilly's dad or at least one of them. Mark had noticed the small woman giving him the once over, she was beautiful, her hair the deepest red, what he would love to do to her body, even her soft voice when she spoke to him a moment ago had him hot. As for the other who seemed to be almost coming out of the outfit she wore, he couldn't stand women who were so damn obvious with what they wanted, hell by the looks she was sending him , he would be her dinner tonight, his body gave a shiver no fucking way would he touch that. Now the other had to be his little one's teacher, he hoped it was anyway.

"So as I was saying Miss Thomas"

"Nathan!" god the bitch could scream when she wanted to, seeing Nathan come running

"Yes mum"

"Who did you upset"

"That weirdo Lilly" Mark's head came up, what on earth had this kid, said to his precious daughter

"Nathan I have told you before we do not call children weird, Lilly is new to this school she needs to make new friends, it must be hard for her moving to another country all strange, she is scared and if you continue we will no longer be able to have you in the class Nathan and I wouldn't want that . Would you?"

"No Miss, but mummy you said she was weird"

"Miss Thomas I would kindly ask you to keep your opinions to yourself, and do not allow Nathan to overhear cruel gossip"

"But"

"I have made myself clear Miss Thomas and like I said if this continues I will have no alternative to remove Nathan from my class"

"Fine you will be hearing from me this is far from over"

"I am sure I will Miss Thomas good bye see you tomorrow Nathan" walking them out, she turned to the man, who made her insides all warm, had her wanting to strip him naked and have him on the floor.

"How can I help you?"

"I hope you are the person I need to talk to I am looking for Miss Lane"

"That would be me and you are?" seeing her smile at him, had his head taking off, satin sheets, roaring fire, and her naked in the middle of them, Shaking his head, he put his hand out.

"Mark, Jacobs-Calaway, one of Lilly's dad's"