"If I can't have this school then neither can you!"
Chris and Rachel sprang apart immediately. Chris looked shocked but Rachel looked terrified as her eyes were drawn to his hand.
"Max. Don't…" Rachel stopped talking. She didn't know what to say. Don't do anything stupid. It was a bit late for that.
Chris finally realised what was going on. He put an arm in front of Rachel, as if that would protect her.
Max stood, framed in the doorway, arm outstretched.
"Max, just go now. We won't call the police if you put the gun down and walk away." Chris tried to speak calmly, but his voice shook with fear. He knew Max would never just walk away, not with his temper.
"Oh Chris. You want me to me give you the gun? You really think I'll just hand it over? I thought you had boundaries Rachel. I thought professional and personal were separate. I guess I was wrong. Shame that you won't be around to enjoy either professional or personal." Max's voice was calm, but strong. It almost sounded pleasant.
Suddenly, Max pulled the trigger. The bullet flew towards Rachel. She closed her eyes waiting for the bullet to hit, but it never did.
She opened her eyes in time to see Chris fall to the floor clutching his shoulder.
Instantly, Tom and pinned Max to the ground, kicking the gun from his hand. Rachel crouched down next to Chris. She wrapped her arms round him and whispered to him.
"Please don't leave me. Hold on ok. You're going to by fine" she told Chris over and over again.
Other teachers had left their classrooms to find out what was happening. Someone phoned the police and an ambulance. The pupils were congregating in the corridor trying to find out what had happened.
Some of the teachers ushered the students into classrooms.
Rachel undid Chris' shirt to look at his wound. Rachel took the shirt off him.
"Do you mind if I rip it?" she asked quietly. Chris shook his head.
Rachel ripped the shirt. She got a clean piece of it and put it on top of the bullet wound. She applied pressure with one hand while stroking Chris' hair with the other. Tears fell down her cheeks as he lay in her lap. He took hold of her hand.