I was aware of what everyone else was thinking when I walked into the classroom. The voice was spiteful and gleeful as it shouted the most terrible things about my father. I would have lashed out at the people daring to think those thoughts but…the same things were passing through my head.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXddFbwujP
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Clara…775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYd6g28GeB
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What was it about the name that haunted me? Was it merely because it was the name of the woman who my father wronged?775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngpvlji03m
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“What in the world happened? Everyone’s saying that Uncle Tony…”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx8x91Jabf
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Jenny, who had cut me off from her life since Jolly's funeral was the only one who bothered to come over to me. She was incredulous, eager to hear me contradict the accusations. But what could I say?775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cpWnldH7j
She read the worst from my silence. “No…That’s stupid.”
I could see Nancy looking at me. Her expression not hostile for once. But she made no move to come over.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0TVaLlrlb
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“I heard it, Jenny. I was there.”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnxoXA7cMn
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She opened her mouth to speak but stopped when footsteps sounded from outside the class. The one who entered was not Roy Sir, our Physics Master who was supposed to take the first hour, but Lekha Madam, our headmistress.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGPNiBY3wT
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One thing to say about Lekha Madam is that she is an example for ‘appearances are deceptive.’ A short petite woman who looked as fragile and delicate as glass. But beware anyone who mistook her weak appearance for a lack of authority. With a booming loud voice and an uncanny ability to command, Lekha Madam soon set them straight.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEGAL3rD6s
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“Before class starts, I would like to pass along a message from our manager.” She frowned as if she was taking especially nasty tasting medicine. “As you all might now, the Inspector is waiting to question all members of Jolly’s class. Our manager wants the incident of two weeks ago not mentioned. No matter what kind of questions the Inspector asks.”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN1Wpm2qC7
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“That…” Before anyone reacted Jenny was on her feet. “That is not something we should hide from the police.”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Ej0UdXgA
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“Jennifer…”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLl7U77nQ1
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“What he insists is hardly fair. We can’t conceal the truth.”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrOls0pY5l
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“Jennifer…”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXZsQSEmVs
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“What is he so afraid of? Did you ask him that? Is he afraid of…”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfZrDSfWiz
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“JENNIFER!”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxOe1JMiZM
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Jennifer gasped, looked here and there. “I…”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZLXqWFhMV
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“Jenny…” Lekha Madam said kindly. “I understand your feelings but…I advise you not to get into trouble.”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vNLTxIDRc
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“What has my Dad threatened to do to students not heeding his request?”775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6y9U3mrX4
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“Expulsion. Any student who divulges the information will be expelled.” Lekha Madam’s voice was calm but the voice told me how angry she was. "That is what your father, the manager, said."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz99gB3Sqnk
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A stony silence filled the classroom. I wondered how many of them were making the same decision as me. To hell with any warning! That incident is the first thing the Inspector would hear from me.
To be continued...
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