Walking down the corridor toward the lunch hall, Chris is thankful the day is halfway through. With a rowdy year 10 class, and newbie year 7's who still loved to try their luck, he was more than ready for his lunch. But before as he passes by the main entrance, he is stopped by Mrs Fisher.

"Mr Mead?" she calls over the students milling around during breaktime. "Have you got a minute?"

"Of course," he smiles.

"My office?" she nods, instructing him to follow her.

Naturally Chris is a little confused. He begins replaying the last few months in his mind, wondering what he could possibly be called into the head for. There is one thing it could be - and he desperately hoped it wasn't that. But otherwise he can't think of anything else he has done. Maybe it's a school related thing then? As deputy head, it wouldn't be unusual for him to be called in, to discuss some new strategy Karen wants to try.

With all the pondering and panicking, they soon arrive at Mrs Fisher's office. She walks in first, allows Chris through, and shuts the door behind them.

"It's about Katherine Evans," Mrs Fisher announces finally.

Chris can physically feel his heart skip a beat.

"I've just had her in my office for fighting again," Karen continues.

Chris breathes a sigh of relief, as his whole body relaxed again.

"Not that there is any excuse," Chris argues, "but can we cut her some slack? She has a lot going on at home."

"Has she?" Karen queries, a little confused. "I thought she lived alone?"

"Oh she does," Chris explains. "But it's not that long ago that she split with her abusive ex-partner. Plus she is trying to hold down a minor job right now, to support herself - and that's on top of trying to keep up with the school work. At the moment, she is practically living off her inheritance. And that's another thing! It's only been a year and a half ago since she lost both her parents in the crash. That can't be easy for her either"

"...you certainly seem to know alot about her, Chris" Karen confirms.

"Well…" Chris stumbles over his words for a moment. "She is in my tutor group. It's my job to know what's going on with those kids."

Mrs Fisher walks over to her desk in silence. Of course she knows the history of Kathie, but she has never really pieced it all together like that. For anyone that's a lot to go through in such a short space of time, let alone a teenager who is trying to study for their A-Levels on top of it all. But Karen has always been so set on a zero tolerance approach, when it comes to violence in her school.

"Still, it's no excuse for the fighting," Karen confirms.

"No, it's not," Chris reluctantly agrees. "But Olivia Carwood does push her luck with Katherine. You should hear some of the things she says to her. It's brutal."

"Are you making excuses for her?"

Karen can't quite believe what she is hearing. Whether she was provoked or not, Katherine's aggressive behaviour can't be tolerated. Both girls should be punished for their actions. Which doesn't mean letting one of them off the hook.

"No, of course not! I know there is a good kid in there, Karen," Chris pleads. "Please, just let me talk to her. If i can't get anywhere with her, then you do what you have to do."

"I could really do without this today, Chris," Karen reminds him. "You know we are still awaiting this unannounced Ofstead visit."

"I know," he agrees. "Please, just let me try to help her."

Karen nods, reluctantly.

"Thank you," Chris smiles. "Thank you! I'll sort this."