(Jenny's POV)
I arrive at St Hope's eight minutes later, landing at the gates. As soon as my feet touch the ground, I run dart across the playground and into the school, heading for the showers.
Once there, I deactivate my cloaking device and change back into what I originally had on: a towel. I hop in one of the stalls of the showers and have a five-minute wash. After frantically drying myself and shoving my underwear on, I spray on some strawberry body fragrance and get dressed in a yellow sleeveless tunic dress. Teamed with a black cropped bolero with three-quarter length sleeveless, black opaque tights and black platform shoe boots. Clutching my sports bag, I rush off wiggle-waggle in my high heels to the computer room. Past the toilets, round the corner and extra sharpish past Aunt Hermione's office…
"Jenny?"
Or so I thought.
I stop where I am. I sheepishly turn around to face Aunt Hermione. She has her head around the door.
"Would you come in here, Jenny?" she says.
When she disappears behind the door, I hang my head and saunter into the office. Aunt Hermione is sitting at her desk, her hands resting on top of each other and the table. I walk over to her desk and sit down opposite her, dropping my sports bag beside me.
"So…" says Aunt Hermione.
"So…" I echo.
"I take it you know why I called you in here."
I give a little nod.
"There's a rumour going around the school that you and Mr. London were seen together… kissing. Is it true?"
I nod again. "Yes, it is true."
"And is it true that you and Mr. London are a couple?"
"Yes," I say, nodding once more.
There's a pause.
"You know, Jenny, I went looking for you this morning after finding out from two Year Nine girls who were swapping notes in my History lesson about you and Mr. London," says Aunt Hermione. "But since I couldn't find you, I called in Mr. London and he had some… very interesting things to say to me."
"Oh?" I say. "What, er, what did Frank say?"
"He was telling me the only reason why you didn't tell me is because you thought that I would react in a certain way and that I would try and break the two of you up. Then he goes on and says that the reason I don't like the two of you together is because of who he is: a caretaker – one who says he does deserve you. Then Mr. London goes on saying that even though he's just a caretaker, you don't seem to care – you don't mind that he has no proper education or a decent income. Finally, he tells me that if I don't respect the decisions you make… there's a chance that I might… end up being… hated."
Wow. I can't believe Frank said all that. He defended our relationship – to Aunt Hermione of all people. I think I'm in love.
"You know, I have a good mind to have Mr. London fired for the way he spoke to me…"says Aunt Hermione. I swallow. "But then again, Mr. London is one of the very few people who have spoken to me in such a way. I haven't been this bowled over since the day I met your Uncle Richard. Jen, do you really like Frank?"
"Oh yes, Aunt Hermione! So very much," I say. "Frank is sweet, caring and funny, and I know he'll never do anything to hurt me or upset me – he's too much of a nice guy for that." I look at her hopefully. "So? What do you say? Can I be with Frank?"
Aunt Hermione sighs. "If he really means so much to you, Jen," she says, "then yes, you can be with Frank. I… accept your relationship with him."
I hop off my chair and go over and give her a huge hug. "Oh top, Aunt H. Thanks, thanks so much."
She smiles, then says with a bit of seriousness in her voice, "But… if I find out that Frank has done something to hurt you or upset you, I will come down on him like a ton of bricks. Understand?"
"Totally." I throw my arms around her again and give her a big kiss. "Thanks again, Aunt H. You're a darling," I say. I catch sight of my watch – it reads 2:23 P.M. "Well, I better get going – I'm already late for my IT lesson."
"No, you're not – your class has been cancelled," Aunt Hermione says before I can reach for my sports bag.
"Cancelled? Why?"
"Apparently, some computer virus has affected all of the computers in the school. I would ask Rose to see if she could fix it, but she's gone to her dentist's appointment."
My phone rings. I take it out from the side pocket of my sports bag and see Zeke's name flashing on the screen.
"I, er… I have to take this, Aunt H," I say, and I leave the office. "Zeke?" I say, answering the phone.
"I'd figured that your mission to Britannia High would take up most of your school teaching day and you'd missed whatever plans you had with Frank, so I decided to… taint the school's computer system with a twenty-four hour virus as I know that IT is your last lesson," he says.
"Zeke! That's… very sweet of you. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now go – I know you're desperate to get jiggy with your new boyfriend."
"Shut up, Zeke," I say – but fondly.
He's such a good friend. After we say our goodbyes and I hang up, I squeal in delight and bounce up the corridor to find Frank and tell him the good news.
(Frank's POV)
I'm in the foyer, watering the plants, when my phone rings. Placing the watering can on a nearby table, I take out my mobile from my pocket and answer the call from Rose.
"Hi, Rose," I say.
"Hey, Frank," she says. "I just wanna let you know that we've apprehended Lily and Amber and I've reverse the effects that they've done to the students – including Carrie."
"That's great, Rose, well done. How is Carrie?"
"She's OK, but because of the sedative that Lily used to knock out Carrie, she's gonna be in hospital for a couple of days."
"OK."
"There's something else you should know. Shannon Carter, one of the captured students, told me that there was a female student who not only appeared out of thin air, but she also fought against Lily – who had Carrie's talents. Shannon said that the student's name is Simone Connors. I ran her name into Britannia High's database and nothing came up – there's no such person who attends the school."
"This could only mean one thing: the Cat was there – in disguise."
"Yeah. And we let her get away."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Rose. You didn't know who she was. Anyway, I'll see you and Oscar tomorrow."
"OK. See you later."
Hanging up, I go back to watering the plants. I look at my watch and it says two-thirty. Jenny will be in the computer room, teaching IT. I hope she's not upset with me for cancelling on her. As much as I wanted to spend the day kissing and holding her, my job has to come first. I inhale deeply to let out a huge sigh… only for strawberry fragrance to fill my nostrils. Only one person can smell so good. Looking up, I come face-to-face with Jenny, who's standing at the foyer doorway.
And she looks gorgeous.
"Hi," she says, walking towards me.
"Jenny – hi," I say. "What are doing here? Don't you have a class to teach?"
"It got cancelled. A virus has infected all the computers in the school and Rose isn't here to fix it."
"Ah."
We stand in silence.
"I, er… I just seen Aunt Hermione," says Jenny. "She – She told me what you told her at lunchtime."
"Oh God, I've blown it, haven't I?" I say with a groan as I put the watering can down and put my hand on my forehead. "I shouldn't have spoken to her like that. But I only did it because I care about you…"
"Frank, Frank – it's OK. She accepts it."
I stare at Jenny. "What?"
"Aunt Hermione – she accepts our relationship."
I blink. "Really? Are you serious?"
Jenny nods with a smile.
Smiling back, I pull her close – our arms around each other, feeling warm and secure, and very happy. We kiss – long and hard.
"I can't believe it," I say. "Mrs King – she – what? – I can't believe it."
"She told me that no-one has ever spoken to her like that since the day she met my Uncle Richie," says Jenny. "You're one of the very few people who have spoken to Aunt Hermione like that."
"It's nice to know that I've made an impression… I think."
Jenny giggles. "You know… I should be miffed at you for cancelling our little one-on-one session in the stationery cupboard. B-u-u-t, since you stood up to Aunt Hermione and defended our relationship, I'll forgive you. And at the same time" – she purrs seductively in my ear – "reward you."
I gulp as she plants lazy kisses along the side of my neck.
"Re-really? How – oh God." I shudder as Jenny gently nibbles my ear – something I did to her last week. "H-how are you going to do that?"
Jenny pulls away and takes my hand. "Let's go to the stationery cupboard and find out, shall we?" she says with a wink.
I don't say anything, I just nod. Then Jenny leads me to the stationery cupboard, where we pick up where we left on from Friday.
Oh, Jenny…