Read Chapter 7: — THE EXAM

Noah was accused of cheating during a politics exam.

Printed notes were found in his blazer pocket.

He swore they were not his.

The same deputy head who had tried to suspend him over the phone claimed he had seen Noah using them.

The school proposed permanent exclusion.

Emma’s father begged the school to reconsider.

Noah cried.

Emma did not.

Gavin messaged from another number.

Your choice. Apologise to me and meet me. I can fix it.

Emma typed back:

Exclude him.

Then:

Rot in hell.

She resigned the next day.

Helen tried to stop her.

“Don’t let him drive you out.”

“He isn’t.”

“Emma.”

“My family is there. He’s escalating because I’m here and they’re there.”

Helen looked at her for a long time.

“What will you do?”

Emma thought of Claire’s ridiculous jar of honey.

“Bees.”

Helen blinked.

“Bees?”

“Yes.”

“Of course.”

Emma smiled for the first time in days.