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‘What’s wrong, pet?’ Lucy asked, holding her daughter’s hands.

Kelly caught her breath and looked at Mr Lyons. ‘It was me,’ she said. ‘I did it.’

Everyone staredat her. There was a shocked silence.

‘I sent out the photo.’

Dylan shook his head. ‘Kelly, you can’t take the blame for something you didn’t do. I know you’re trying to help, but not like this.’

Kelly began to sob. ‘It really was me. When you and Mum both went to bed, I found your phone on the landing. You must have dropped it. I sent the photo out on WhatsApp.’

‘Why?’ Taylor’s eyes were widein disbelief. ‘What did I ever do to you?’

Kelly looked at her mum. ‘I was trying to help. I was trying to fix it. You were so worried Dylan was going to blow his scholarship. I thought if I could break Taylor and him up, everything would be okay.’

Lucy slowly stood up and took a step away from her daughter. ‘My God, Kelly,’ she whispered.

‘What’s going on here?’ Mr Lyons demanded.

Kelly stoodup, her legs were shaking but she felt calmer. ‘I am so sorry, Taylor and Mr Lyons. I sent that photo outbecause my brother was staying out late drinking and partying and I was scared that he was going to fail his exams and get dropped from the football team. I thought if he broke up with Taylor, he’d get back on track. But he wouldn’t break up with her because he’s mad about her, so I did somethingreally awful and I sent out the photo and I’m so, so sorry.’

‘Jesus Christ, how could you?’ Dylan said, his fists clenched on his knees. ‘I can’t believe you’d do that to me.’

‘I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know. I feel sick. I never thought the photo would get out and go viral. I’m sorry, Taylor – I never meant to hurt you. Mum, Dylan, Mr Gough, I’m sorry. I know what I did was wrong. I wasjust trying to fix everything, but it all spiralled out of control and I panicked and didn’t know what to do.’ Kelly fell back into her chair and put her hands over her face.

‘Do you have any idea of the hell I’ve been through?’ Taylor shouted at her. ‘I’ve had perverts stalking me on Facebook and Instagram. I’ve had to shut down all my accounts. I’ve been in hell since you sent that photo. AndI thought Dylan had done it. I thought he’d betrayed me. I’m sorry, babe,’ she said, to Dylan.

‘I’d never do that to you,’ Dylan said.

Taylor came over and hugged him.

Lucy stood still, as if rooted to the spot. ‘But … why didn’t you … How could you … It’s just not … Kelly, it’s wrong.’

‘I know, and I’m sorry. I hate myself.’ Kelly’s body was shaking. She felt as cold as ice.

Mr Gough cameover and handed her a glass of water. ‘We all need to take a deep breath. Kelly has bravely owned up to a mistake she made.’

‘Mistake?’ Mr Lyons snorted. ‘A crime she committed is more like it. Taylor’s been traumatized.’

Mr Gough held up his hand. ‘I quite understand that Taylor has had a terrible time and I think Kelly is aware of the damage she has caused. However, she did it to protect someoneshe loves, and while her actions will have to be punished, her intentions were honourable.’

‘I don’t give a fig about her intentions,’ Mr Lyons shouted. ‘She humiliated Taylor, who is the innocent victim let’s not forget, and she’ll be sued for it.’

‘I do see that,’ Mr Gough said calmly. ‘But Kelly is young and clearly repentant for the trouble she has caused. If you bring an action againsther, it will drag the whole issue into the public arena, which is something the school is anxious to avoid.’

‘I’m not going to stand back, let my daughter suffer and do nothing about it,’ Mr Lyons said. ‘This girl admitted she sent the photo and any court in the land will find her guilty.’

‘I would be concerned that involving lawyers and the gardaí would expose these young people to a huge amountof scrutiny,’ Mr Gough argued. ‘The media backlash would be very hard on them all. I’m sure we can resolve the issue among ourselves.’

Taylor put her hand on her father’s arm. ‘It’s all right, Dad,’ she said. ‘We should let it go. I don’t want a big court case and have the whole thing brought up again and the photo being shown around and the papers talking about it. That would be even worse.I can cope with the kids in school knowing about it, but I don’t want to end up on the nine o’clock news. Just leave it, okay? Now I know it wasn’t Dylan, I care a lot less.’

Mr Lyons patted her hand. ‘I can understand you don’t want it going any further, sweetheart. But,’ he said, turning to Mr Gough, ‘there has to be serious disciplinary action against this girl. She can’t just get a slap onthe wrist.’

Lucy spoke up. ‘I can promise you there will be serious repercussions for Kelly’s actions at home. I am shocked and deeply ashamed.’

Kelly felt her heart ache. She knew it was silly, but she’d hoped her mother would defend her. Stupid of her to think that: Lucy always cared more about what other people thought.

Mr Gough nodded. ‘I shall be suspending Kelly for three days and sheshall come in an hour earlier every morning until the end of January to help the staff set up for the school day.’