CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

"Y-You alright now, I-Ing?"

She lifted her head, her heart swelling at the sight of the shivering and soaking mess that was her boyfriend. He had coped so well with their punishment, his bravery in not fleeing or risking further punishment by biting back at the Prefects, made Ingrid's love for him build. She wanted to inform him of how brave she thought he was, regarding Jeff's taunts and battling with his asthma, yet Ingrid knew that their health was the most vital aspect at that moment.

Their love could wait.

Ingrid nodded, teeth still chattering. "Y-Y-Yeah, thank god I-I had that b-brilliant idea with the p-pool. W-What would you d-d-do without me?"

Harvey rolled his eyes. "So m-modest. A-Actually I w-w-wouldn't be able to l-live without y-you."

Bursting into laughter, Ingrid snorted out: "God, is t-this soppy or w-what?! H-Honestly, H-H-Harv, we s-s-sound like we're in a-a cheesy r-rom-com!"

"I h-h-h-hate t-t-those! M-Mum always w-w-watches them, i-it's so a-a-annoying….." He trailed off, wheezing fluctuating alarmingly. Rushing forwards, Ingrid yelled:

"Where's your inhaler?! Dammit, Harvey, ANSWER ME!"

Wincing at how loud the shout had been, Harvey flapped a hand towards the bench where his outer garments were located.

"C-C-Coat p-p-pocket."

Cursing softly, Ingrid darted over to the coat, hands grappling with the items stuffed into both of the deep pockets. She grimaced at touching something icky before her fingers clasped around the asthma pump. Ingrid fished it out, then hurried back over to her boyfriend, eventually having to assist him with using the pump.

Once Harvey had regained his breath back, he smiled softly at his girlfriend. "T-Thanks, Ing." He glanced round the cloakroom analytically before muttering:

"I'm s-s-sure that there w-w-were towels in h-here."

"W-Well, obviously n-not… Hey!" Ingrid's face suddenly lit up and Harvey restrained the groan he wanted to voice. Although he loved and cherished Ingrid with all of his heart, whenever she came up with an impulsive scheme, it sent him reeling in panic. Especially if they were in school.

He nibbled his lip, fat droplets of water falling from his fair bangs and smacking onto the floor. Grin plastered onto her face, Ingrid held up a finger, exclaiming:

"W-Wait here, I'll be b-back!"

Before Harvey could even utter a single syllable, Ingrid had bolted out of the cloakroom, taking the care to keep her pace at a brisk walk, for fear of encountering an authoritative figure whilst running, which would end badly for both of them. Not to mention the rest of SPLAT, as was always the case.

During the time that Ingrid was gone, Harvey ventured to the nearest bathroom and managed to dry some of his school shirt and trousers by placing himself under the hand dryer. He also shucked off his shoes and peeled off his soaked socks, repeating the same process with those items.

Now, he was back in the cloakroom, socks and shoes back on and not as wet as before. His ears pricked up at the sound of squelching footsteps and Harvey was unable to wipe the grin that slapped onto his round face at the appearance of his girlfriend.

Ingrid grinned back, a bunch of towels swaddled in her arms. She dumped all save for two onto the bench, then passed one of the held towels to Harvey, with the remaining one intended for herself.

The pair of them wiped their faces and necks free of water and snow, Ingrid explaining to Harvey that she had retrieved the towels from the PE Department, which led her to promptly launch into a detailed description of her sneak attack at getting them that had Harvey on tenterhooks, the small boy intrigued to this spy story.

When they were relatively dry, Ingrid nipping to the bathroom quickly to utilise the same technique as her boyfriend, the couple shrugged on their blazers, both of them checking their outer garments thoroughly.

The bell sounding caused them to nearly jump out of their skins.

Upon recovering from the almighty shock, Harvey checked the time, face draining of colour, and not for the first time that Friday afternoon. He aimed a worried look at Ingrid, his voice barely a whisper.

"It's t-time for L-Lunch... Oh no, we've m-missed an entire l-lesson!"

Anxiety tinged in her eyes, but apart from that, Ingrid was unconcerned at this realisation.

"Our t-teachers won't have a g-go, for once, because t-they would have k-known that we w-were outside, sweeping up the s-snow! So d-don't worry, Harv. We just need to g-go to the canteen and k-keep our heads down, yeah?"

"I s-suppose so."

He was still petrified, even when they passed their teachers and were admonished for being so 'troublesome.' As Ingrid had hoped, the teachers did not linger on the fact that they had missed a lesson, instead choosing to berate the two pupils who, according to the Headmaster and therefore the Prefects, teachers and to a lesser extent, the other pupils, belonged to the gang that would eventually bring down the school's reputation and credibility, 'if their devious ways were not stopped soon.'

Struggling not to react, Ingrid was thankful when they were ushered along, whispering to Harvey as they neared the canteen doors.

"The others will w-want to know everything. Should we t-tell them?"

The youngest Hunter nodded. "Yeah…. R-Rather we tell them than h-have the P-Prefects brag about it."

"Same."

This agreement left Ingrid's lips as the canteen doors were pushed open. The pair encountered the smug gazes of three of the Prefects, Harvey thanking his lucky stars that neither Jeff nor Peter were in attendance, the worried faces of their friends and the curiosity radiating from Dinah Glass.

Simultaneously swallowing, Harvey and Ingrid collected their trays and allowed the canteen staff to position the food and cup of drink into the specific places, before scuttling over to the SPLAT table, and taking their self-proclaimed seats.

Instantly, Lloyd, Ian and Mandy were barraging them with hushed questions and demands. They received hushed answers in turn. However, Dinah, seated on the next table over, could hear every word they were saying, and what was revealed about the couple's punishment caused her to shake in anger and crease her forehead in revulsion.

By the time Harvey and Ingrid had finished their recap of events, the elder members of SPLAT were mostly horrified, aghast and raging, (the latter applying to Lloyd.) Yet, Dinah was the one to snap.

It was too much for her mind to handle. How could such a cruel and unjust treatment be provided for two young children?! Two young children, who simply wanted to PLAY IN THE SNOW?! Dinah's fears and intrigue over the secrets of the school boiled over and before she could change her mind, she was pushing her chair back and rising to her feet.

Rose's sharp tones drifted over to her. "Dinah Glass, sit down!"

The Orphan blinked, then turned her narrowed eyes onto the Head Prefect, teeth gritted. "I need to go to the bathroom. Please may I go?"

Rose scowled back. If this was another trick being pulled on her….

After several tense seconds, she barked: "Very well, you may go! Return here immediately afterwards!"

"What if I'm not back in time?"

Dinah's tone was cutthroat and all of SPLAT inhaled sharply, five of them worried for the newest pupil, whereas Lloyd was curious to how Rose would react.

The Head Prefect bristled, evidently unnerved. "If not, then report to the hall for Assembly. Now move!"

Growling lowly, Dinah stomped from the canteen, not caring that she was creating a scene. There was only one thing on her mind and it formed a sort of revenge for her younger foster brother and his girlfriend. Rounding the corner into the corridor she intended to march down, Dinah seethed.

'By the time I'm through with HIM, he'll be forcing those PRECIOUS PREFECTS of his to apologise profusely to Harvey and Ingrid, and then he'll have to apologise HIMSELF!'

Full of courage at this point, Dinah halted outside of the Headmaster's office, scowling at the sight of the closed door. Even if he didn't open the door, she would still make herself loud and clear!

Rapping her knuckles sharply onto the wooden door, Dinah hesitated for a full minute. During those tense sixty seconds, the door did not open, (as she expected) nor were any movements from inside the office made. Tone crisp and filled with loathing, Dinah snapped:

"I know you're in there. Don't think you can hide away! I know your little game, SIR."

Insolence was prominent in her tone of voice, which Dinah was glad of. A small smirk flitted across her face as she continued her rant.

"I think it's DISGUSTING, approving a punishment like that onto two young children! That's right, I know what the Prefects did to Harvey and Ingrid! Just for playing with the snow! It's utterly ridiculous, which makes me question some of the rules that YOU put into place! In fact, makes me question THIS SCHOOL in general!"

"You are a cruel, cruel man to allow Harvey and Ingrid's lives to be endangered like that! Those Prefects have far too much free reign, I mean, what if they had acted drastically by maybe even SUFFOCATING Ingrid and Harvey whilst shoving them down into the pile of snowballs?! Then you would have had a HUGE AMOUNT TO DEAL WITH!"

Dinah drew in a breath before exhaling it, every one of her words laced with venom.

"You should be ashamed of yourself for letting your PRECIOUS PREFECTS punish them in such a brutal way! What if they had died?! Or if they contracted pneumonia?! What would you tell everyone?!"

She trembled madly, sadness almost choking her. The two children could have died and only a handful of people here seemed to care.

"Are you not aware that Harvey has asthma?! Or did that… slip your mind? He's just a little boy, wanting to have some FUN! But no, he along with another small child, is punished for fulfilling childish activities! Poor little Harvey is practically half dead, and it's ALL YOUR FAULT! JUST WAIT TILL MRS HUNTER HEARS ABOUT THIS!"

Lowering her voice to a hiss, Dinah smiled triumphantly. "Oh yes, Sir. I am planning to tell Mrs Hunter about everything that's happened today, as soon as I get home, and after she's rung the police and they've taken Harvey's and Ingrid's accounts of their experience, then the school will be under investigation. There will be an enquiry and I am going to make sure that YOU do not get away with it!"

As she concluded, Dinah panted heavily, certain that she had forced her point across clearly to the Headmaster. Turning on her heel, she strode back down the corridor towards the canteen, intending to speak to someone she tended to avoid on a daily basis.

So caught up was she, that Dinah didn't hear the click of the door being unlocked as she rounded the corner, nor did the heavy footfalls entice her hearing.

Framed in the doorway of his office, the Headmaster cast his concealed gaze in the direction that Dinah had stalked away, before his top lip curled upwards to display a gesture of disgust. His pitch was based low as he reflected on what Dinah had screamed on the other side of the door and her useless feeling towards the people involved.

"So, Miss Clever Glass, you have a soft spot for those little brats. Particularly, Harvey Hunter, it seems. Judging by the way you helped the useless boy on his homework two months ago… Yes, that will be another strike for the boy….. Fear not, Miss Glass, you may think that I am incompetent or that I will be forced to resign after you reveal all to your foster Mother, but you are far too naïve. I believe that you will change your mind…." His lips peeled back to reveal narrow, straight white teeth.

A sinister chuckle filtered out into the otherwise silent corridor.

"Come this afternoon's Assembly…"

"Lloyd!"

The Chairman of SPLAT jumped at his name being called, and whirled round, intrigued and slightly fearful as to who was trying to catch his attention. Upon observing who it was, his growing smile dropped, a look of malice replacing it. His blue eyes hardened, the lids narrowing. Sneering at his despised foster sister, Lloyd snarled:

"What is it?"

Unflappable at his whole demeanour, Dinah led him away from the canteen doors and closer to a quieter space. Hastily, she whispered:

"We don't have long, so stay quiet and listen to me. I mean it!" She graced him with a glare at the open mouth, only resuming when his mouth shut firmly.

"I've just gone and visited the Headmaster."

Blue orbs widening, Lloyd gasped: "So that's where you went off to! I didn't believe that you simply had to go to the bathroom, I knew you were up to something!"

As Dinah rolled her eyes at his arrogance, Lloyd's surprised façade dissipated, and the stony blue eyes were back again.

"Exactly why did you go to the Headmaster?"

Struggling to not roll her eyes again, Dinah hissed: "I overheard Harvey and Ingrid talking about their punishment and I was astounded and angry at how they had been treated. So, I decided to confront the Headmaster about it, to see what he had to say, what with him approving and all."

Lloyd recoiled, nervousness evident in his tone. "What did he say?"

Dinah snorted. "Nothing. I knocked on the door of his office. No answer. I just know that he was in there though, the coward." Lloyd inhaled sharply, then glanced round. Seeing no prying eyes or hearing any unwanted footsteps, Lloyd gestured for her to carry on.

"So I ranted at him about the Prefect's treatment of Ingrid and Harvey, how cruel they are and how cruel he is, but mainly about how both of them, specifically Harvey, could have died. Then I threatened him, saying how I'm going to tell your Mother about everything and that he wouldn't escape justice."

"Hold on…. You're going to tell Mum?"

"Yes. I had suspicions about this place and now they've been proven." Dinah arched an eyebrow. "Don't you want me to tell your Mother?"

Lloyd bit his lip. "Well yeah, but… the thing is… Mum never believes me or H when we talk about how crap the school is….. Mind you, she may listen to you…"

Internally, he added another part to the sentence. "Little Miss Goody Good."

However, Lloyd felt a pang of remorse in his chest. Staring into Dinah's earnest face, he mused on his feelings regarding his foster sister.

'Maybe she's NOT a spy after all… Even though she's one of Them.'

'She could be lying, but what's the point? If she was working with the Headmaster, then he wouldn't get her to badmouth him. That's not his 'style.''

'She might truly care for my brother and his girlfriend….. Then again, I don't think Hell's frozen over, JUST YET.'

His thoughts and feelings were jumbled, but ultimately, Lloyd was pleased that Dinah was so concerned over the welfare of the youngest members of SPLAT, and a tad doubtful over her agenda.

Their conversation was broken up by Simon, who stalked towards them, snapping:

"Lloyd Hunter! Report to the Library for your study session! Dinah Glass! Follow me to the Hall for Assembly!"

"Yes, Simon."

"Yes, Simon."

As Lloyd and Dinah split off, they threw each other a look over their shoulders. Only time would tell on what was to occur after school.

The front door banged open, three sets of footsteps pounding in with the door slamming shut seconds later.

"MUM!"

Sighing, Teresa put the milk back into the fridge, calling: "In the kitchen, Lloyd!"

She sipped her drink as her eldest son barged in, flinging his blazer, tie and schoolbag onto the nearest chair. Ready to admonish him, Teresa was startled as Lloyd ranted:

"It happened again!"

"What did, dear?"

"At school, there-"

Mrs Hunter banged the drink down sharply. "Now, I've had quite enough of your little tales, I….. Harvey, are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, Mum." Came the mumbled reply.

"Are you sure? You look very flushed-"

"Ah! Dinah! YOU tell Mum what happened to H and Ingrid earlier today!"

Teresa glowered at her son for the interruption, before clapping her gaze onto her foster daughter. She was still concerned over how red Harvey's face was and the occasional shiver that he produced, yet when Dinah began talking, all of her worries melted away, only to be replaced by happiness.

"Certainly. We had a wonderful day today. During Morning Break, all of us played in the snow and had a massive snowball fight. The Prefects supervised and the Headmaster made sure that we were all wrapped up warmly and provided us with mugs of hot blackcurrant once we were finished."

Face and tone blank, Dinah hardly blinked as Mrs Hunter smiled, chirping:

"What a nice gesture! That sounds like a lovely day, so I don't know why you're complaining, Lloyd! Though Harvey… I don't think you should have joined in, sweetheart."

Harvey grumbled angrily under his breath, fully prepared to stamp out of the room. Lloyd was gaping at Dinah, unbelieving as to what he had just heard her say. Drawing in a massive breath, Lloyd suddenly snarled:

"You LIAR! THAT'S NOT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED! WHY ARE YOU LYING FOR?!"

"I'm not lying." Dinah replied, though something in her head needled away at her.

Teresa narrowed her eyes at Lloyd. "It's not nice to accuse someone of lying." She scolded him in a sharp manner.

"BUT SHE IS!" Clenching his fists, Lloyd screamed in his mind; 'I KNEW SHE WOULD LIE! SAY TO ME THAT SHE WOULD TELL MUM THE TRUTH AND MAKE ME THINK THAT MAYBE SHE WAS ON OUR SIDE AFTER ALL! BUT, SHE GOES AHEAD AND STABS US IN THE BACK!'

Colour of his face puce, Lloyd spat: "Stop lying, YOU FILTHY TRAITOR!"

"LLOYD!"

All three children's gazes connected with Teresa's, her eyes burning in fury and disbelief. She shrieked:

"HOW DARE YOU?! Dinah is a guest in our house and I expect you to treat her with the respect she deserves!"

"Why should I?! She's lying, Mum! H and I know the truth and SHE DOES, but she's made up some stupid story!"

"No, I haven't."

"Oh, SHUT UP!"

"LLOYD! BE QUIET! Now, I have had enough of you boys coming home with all of these ridiculous stories about the school, which are obviously not true, and whenever I ask any of the other pupils or their parents, I found out that my own children have been making things up! I feel so foolish and disappointed in the two of you whenever that happens!"

Scoffing, Lloyd hissed: "Think what you will, but WE know the truth! Come on, H!"

Spinning on his heel, Lloyd stomped out of the kitchen and up the stairs, utterly astounded at how blatantly the spy had lied and cursing himself for falling for her trick.

Down in the kitchen, Dinah winced, a familiar head-ache raging away once again. Whilst Mrs Hunter simmered, hands patting her foster daughter's shoulders, Harvey's teeth chattered together. Eyeing Dinah with mistrust, Harvey stuttered:

"Y-You know the t-truth, so w-w-why don't you s-say it?"

Dinah's eyes widened as Harvey left the kitchen, the slam of his bedroom door causing her to flinch. Mrs Hunter smiled at her, whispering:

"Whatever this is, it'll all blow over soon."

The girl nodded slowly, yet she was unsure whether or not it really would. And if it did, it would not be happening any time soon. Dinah was sure of that.