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.841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbKdCgt9kv
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Clara…841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7o0trE8RX
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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?841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Sl2YedeH
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“What in the world happened? Everyone’s saying that Uncle Tony…”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjHJ8Yh95T
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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?841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsctCf2Pov
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.841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT8dUkbgyQ
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“I heard it, Jenny. I was there.”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpBD2P4Woi
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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.841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMmKQonnJM
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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.841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvEwltZBEO
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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.”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nn7YzS1Qj
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“That…” Before anyone reacted Jenny was on her feet. “That is not something we should hide from the police.”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP090xTyuz
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“Jennifer…”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD7Dhj4o25
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“What he insists is hardly fair. We can’t conceal the truth.”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WmtkQHd62
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“Jennifer…”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxsRmzn1mH
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“What is he so afraid of? Did you ask him that? Is he afraid of…”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqHBuVUDNz
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“JENNIFER!”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwc5uGVpVh
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Jennifer gasped, looked here and there. “I…”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6WuvtbmwL
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“Jenny…” Lekha Madam said kindly. “I understand your feelings but…I advise you not to get into trouble.”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XddH8tPLU
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“What has my Dad threatened to do to students not heeding his request?”841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tOSxqMCBQ
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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."841Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdgsrD96HW
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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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