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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCionZrdeN
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Clara…748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5U1gU9t1R
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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?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zCBiTebpA
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“What in the world happened? Everyone’s saying that Uncle Tony…”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoAe8yajBg
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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?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjTo6L0JK1
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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGqVOkE7Hy
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“I heard it, Jenny. I was there.”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82cPdFgG5X
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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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVSY8qRtr6
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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.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd99aaI6h3
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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.”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC9nRUUrfM
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“That…” Before anyone reacted Jenny was on her feet. “That is not something we should hide from the police.”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe1nyn1p6e
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“Jennifer…”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSGs1uAxvW
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“What he insists is hardly fair. We can’t conceal the truth.”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCtut8ksHz
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“Jennifer…”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbJBiMOsPo
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“What is he so afraid of? Did you ask him that? Is he afraid of…”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGK49gljHR
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“JENNIFER!”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHUcjwoYH6
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Jennifer gasped, looked here and there. “I…”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo2HxCBrlF
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“Jenny…” Lekha Madam said kindly. “I understand your feelings but…I advise you not to get into trouble.”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS7pvi0dvf
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“What has my Dad threatened to do to students not heeding his request?”748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYZfWXLYJN
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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."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCLw9jyOvR
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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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