Page 42 of Dying Truth

Dawson saw the ironic look on his face and laughed out loud.

Geoffrey smiled in response. Apparently pleased that he had made someone laugh.

‘You mentioned something about the Queen of Hearts, yesterday. What’s that all about?’ Dawson asked, taking another crisp. He’d forgotten just how tasty they were.

‘I shouldn’t have said anything,’ he said, looking around.

‘Why not?’ Dawson asked, looking around too, even though no one was anywhere near them.

Geoffrey lowered his voice. ‘We’re not supposed to talk about them. They’re a secret.’

‘From who?’ Dawson asked, feeling slightly ridiculous.

‘Principal Thorpe. He doesn’t like them. They’re banned.’

Dawson couldn’t help being intrigued. ‘I won’t say anything to anyone, I promise,’ he said, leaning in closer.

Geoffrey seemed reassured.

‘Okay, there are four clubs here at Heathcrest, strictly by invitation only. Two boys’ clubs and two girls’ clubs. The girls are Hearts and Diamonds and the boys are Clubs and Spades.’

‘Like those fraternities they have in America?’ Dawson asked.

Geoffrey thought. ‘I suppose so, but they don’t live together or hang out or anything. They’re all different ages. There are eleven members in each club.’

‘Why only eleven?’ Dawson asked.

‘The girls have no King and the boys have no Queen.’

Dawson frowned, trying to get it straight, as he took another crisp.

Geoffrey looked down at the packet and handed it to him, wiping his own hands on his trousers.

‘So, there’s a hierarchy in the clubs?’ Dawson asked.

Oh, how he detested exclusive clubs and groups. Just another way of making the average kid feel inadequate.

‘Oh yeah, it rises in number. Newest member is the Ace and then it rises to the King or Queen of the suit of that club. Each suit is run by a Joker – an adult, could be a teacher or an ex-card.’

‘And how does one get into these exclusive groups?’

‘Chosen by the other members, I think,’ he said.

‘And you move up over time?’

Geoffrey nodded. ‘If a person leaves—’

‘Leaves the club?’

Geoffrey shook his head. ‘No, leaves the school, then everyone automatically moves up a place leaving space for a new Ace to join.’

The bell suddenly sounded the end of break. Geoffrey looked longingly at his sandwich box before returning it to his backpack.

‘So, is it all good-natured fun, the interaction between these four clubs?’ he asked, as Geoffrey hauled his pack onto his shoulder.

‘The girls are not so bad,’ he said. ‘But the Spades and Clubs hate each other’s guts.’

Twenty-Seven