Constance felt like falling into a deep, black hole that denied her the mercy of hitting the ground and fainting.
She was staying! She would be around her all the time!
It would be like being back at university, her every step was most likely to be watched and judged. Constance highly doubted that Miss Cackle's presence would make the slightest difference in Broomhead's behaviour.
At the strange smile the older woman sent her, the distressed deputy head was quite sure she had received a serious punch in the stomach that had knocked the air out of her lungs.
It could mean nothing but trouble if she looked at someone that way. Having Broomhead looking at herself like that sent shivers down Constance's spine.
She noticed that she was about to panic; her breath was speeding up and her head was spinning. Even thinking about what Broomhead's constant presence would do to her in the future was more than she could bear. Her memory was already being flooded with the events of the past.
Constance was so lost in her painful thoughts that she didn't notice the heated discussion Miss Cackle tried to start, nor did she see the official-looking document Broomhead showed instead of an answer.
She was far too upset to notice the other teachers standing and leaving, with only Broomhead remaining in her seat.
The thing that brought Constance back to reality was the sound of the closing door, which made her realise that she was trapped.
In a desperate attempt at flight she rose and headed for the door, but didn't reach it.
"Constance, my dear, why don't you stay for a little chat?"