Chapter Three

"Zoe... Zoe..."

"Hmm?" Asked the Headteacher.

"You dropped off!"

It was the end of the week, and Zoe had decided to have a nap. Just for five minutes, mind.

But, it hadn't worked out like that. She had slept for an hour and a half.

"Oh." She said, sitting up.

Max handed her a cup of coffee. "I thought you might need this?"

"Thank you." Zoe smiled gratefully.

After she'd finished her drink, the Headteacher stood up. "Are we the last ones here?"

"I reckon so, yes."

"Okay, how about we go for a walk around and check that everything's shipshape in readiness for Monday?" She suggested.

"Sounds good." Max answered.

The pair took a tour around the school, more to calm Zoe's nerves than anything else, if she was honest.

Once Zoe was satisfied, they went home.

"D'you fancy a takeaway?" Enquired Max.

"Okay, Chinese." Zoe decided.

They stopped off at their favourite Chinese takeaway, went in, and ordered. They were just loading the two plastic bagfuls of food into Zoe's Audi when Max noticed a figure cross the road.

"Is that...?" He asked.

"I'm pretty sure it's Georgia." Zoe said, catching on. "She didn't look too happy."

"Make that downright miserable." The D&T teacher corrected.

"I'll ask her on Monday."

"On inspection day?" Max was surprised.

"Yes, I'm sure Henrik and Serena won't mind." Zoe shrugged, referring to the Ofsted inspectors who were due to come to the school the following week.

"So you're on first name terms?"

"Serena's alright. Connie calls Henrik the big giant depressing Swede or something." Zoe laughed.

"Not to his face?!" Max was shocked.

"Nah. He's quite tolerant but I don't think he'd find that description very flattering!" His partner replied.

"What should we do about Georgia?" Max enquired later on.

Zoe sighed. "I don't know... Lily came to me today, she said that Maria had told her that she'd noticed a bruise on Georgia's shoulder."

"Possible abuse then? Plus with her Mother not wanting her to come to the Gifted and Talented club, and she's withdrawn..." Max suggested.

"It's looking that way." Zoe knew the signs very well, she'd had to deal with one or two cases before.

"So shall someone talk to her?"

"After the Ofsted inspection." Zoe decided.