It really had been a long day. Davina yawned as she made her way to the staff room, carefully avoiding the throngs of students rushing to get out of the school. First the problems with the Year Nines, then having to cover one of Steph's classes as she had to go to a meeting with some fund raising people, or something like that. At least, that was what she had said, but knowing Steph, she had most likely gone to the pub.

She had had no trouble with Karla though today, for the first time in what felt like ages. maybe it was because she wasn't in any of Grantley's classes today. Or tomorrow, which would be good for the stupid inspection.

She had dropped in to Matt's class earlier anyway, just to check Karla was coping with the dramatic change of schedule. They had all been busy, doing what she wasn't sure, but she had talked with Matt at the door, and he said she was fine. One less thing to worry about then, anyway.

Pushing open the staff room door, she was surprised to see most of the staff already there. She went right over to Tom, knowing that he would have some tea for her, all ready. Her heart leapt as she neared him. She had never, ever loved anyone as much as she loved him, not even Jack. With him she felt different. Special. No one had ever made her feel that way before.

"You ok?" she asked as she sat down beside her. His face was still creased up in pain, as it had that morning, and she felt worried for him. She felt his pain.

"Just a headache. I just want this over with."

"You're not the only one." she said, leaning back into him, as Steph walked in with a clatter, and sat down opposite them.

"Oi, lovebirds! You will, never, ever guess what I just saw!"

"Say one word, Stephanie, and your life will not be worth living." cried out a frantic looking Grantley, who almost ran into the room, followed by a silently laughing Matt.

"What?" Tom asked, stroking Davina's hair. She closed her eyes at the touch, feeling warm and comfortable.

"Don't you dare!"

"Well," began Steph, completely ignoring Grantley's pleads, and leaning forward with the same look on her face that she got every time she was about to spread some good gossip. "I just saw our Mr Grumpy Claus -"

"Grumpy Claus?!?"

"Matt will explain."

"I will?"

"Shut up, and stop laughing! Anyway, I just saw our Mr Grumpy Claus being very…friendly to a certain lady!"

Davina leant forward, taking a drink from her mug. "Ooh! Who?"

"Sorry," said Rob, who was standing beside Matt, looking confused. "You lost me at Grumpy Claus."

Matt turned to him, still laughing. "Grantley said he was going to dress up as Santa last year when he was drunk at the pub."

"Oh. Gotcha. Wait…what?"

"Mr Grumpy Claus was being very friendly towards a lady we all know!" Steph repeated. "And there is no use in hiding, Grantley, everyone knows your secret identity now."

The room erupted into laughter, as Grantley's head rose from behind the chair he had been trying to hide behind.

"I'm going to kill you, Stephanie."

"What? And let them find out about your lady friend?"

"I don't bloody have a lady friend!"

"Sure, not yet, but when you tell Rachel how you….oops!"

"Rachel!" spluttered Davina, feeling Tom shake with silent laughter. At least he managed to keep it quiet, she thought, unlike Rob and Matt, who were at that moment leaning against each other to keep themselves upright they were laughing so hard.

"Stephanie!"

"Oops," Steph said again, who watching Matt and Rob with interest, Davina noticed, "Clumsy me."

"How many times! I. Do. Not. Like. Rachel." Grantley yelled, just as the room fell silent. All eyes were now not on him, but on the two figures standing behind him, looking blank.

"Ah," Grantly said, turning, and looking awkward, "Hello Ms Mason."

"Would someone like to tell us what is going on?" said Eddie, raising an eyebrow.

"Grumpy Claus would be glad to." said Steph, as Davina leant back into Tom's embrace, watching as Grantley glared at her angrily, and as Matt and Rob once again collapsed into helpless laughter, leaning on each other for support. To Davina, it looked like Rob was holding onto Matt's shoulder a little tighter than was necessary, but then again, both of them were only just remaining upright.

Davina almost laughed herself at Rachel's expression. She looked both blank, confused, and amused as she watched the exchanges between the staff. Or the laughter, depending on who she was watching.

Tom wrapped his arm tighter around her, and she relaxed into his warmth, feeling calm and relaxed, and at ease as she waited for Rachel's reaction to the know bright red Grantley's last remark. It was going to be interesting.