Page 119 of Twisted Ties

“I don’t think I have one.”

She lowers her stethoscope. “Why ever not?”

“I rarely went to the doctors.”

“You weren’t often sick?”

“Well …” I’m guessing she doesn’t know my background. “My aunt tended to keep me away from doctors. We only ever went if it was absolutely necessary.”

The older woman lowers the stethoscope to her lap. “Have you been properly vaccinated, Miss Blackwaters?”

I stare at her. “I have no idea.”

“Oh my goodness. They should have sent you to me as soon as you entered this school. No vaccinations? My goodness. This school is a breeding ground for all sorts of bugs. Last year we had a bout of flu and every one of these beds was occupied.” She shakes her head. “I’d better order some in.” She removes a small notebook from her breast pocket and scribbles a note to herself. “Well, despite your lack of formal healthcare and your recent run-in with a werebeast, you appear to be in good health. I’ll send you a note when the vaccinations come in and we’ll get you all sorted.” She pats me on the shoulder. “You can get dressed.”

“Thank you,” I say, then hesitate.

“Yes?” she asks.

“Erm …” I say, feeling my cheeks heat.

“What is it, Miss Blackwaters? I can assure you I’ve heard it all – boils on bottoms, warts on noses, backed-up bowels.”

“Contraception,” I spit out. “I’d like to get some contraception. Can you help with that?”

“You have a regular partner,” she begins, “because if not, I’d suggest you need to protect against STDs and use–”

“Oh no, I don’t,” I lie, not entirely sure how confidential this information is. I don’t want the principal to hear I have a boyfriend and put two and two together. “It’s just in case I do get a regular partner.”

“Then let me fetch you a leaflet. There are lots of options including hormonal pills, injections, and barrier spells.”

“Barrier spells?”

“Yes, a fairly advanced spell but, if performed correctly, almost 100% effective.” She pauses. “Do we need to do a pregnancy test too, Miss Blackwaters?”

I guess she isn’t buying the no-boyfriend thing. Maybe she spotted the love bites after all.

“No,” I say. We’ve been using rubbers so I’m pretty confident of that but there have been a few occasions when we’ve almost forgotten and getting myself knocked up is not another problem I want to add to my long list.

The matron disappears behind the curtain and I dress back in my clothes. When she returns, she hands me a leaflet that I bury deep in my pocket.

Then I head for yet another interview with the principal.

When I returnto the dorm about thirty minutes later, having endured an interrogation from the principal, I find Trent just leaving our dorm and Winnie working at her desk, Pip munching on what looks like vegetable peelings.

“Nonny thought he might like them,” Winnie explains. “Where have you been?”

“The principal’s office.”

Winnie grimaces, then examines my face. “You don’t look upset. I don’t know if that means you are or aren’t expelled.”

“Not expelled. Stone covered for me.”

“Professor Stone covered for you?”

“Erm, yes,” I say, coming to sit up on Winnie’s desk.

“Because you’re bonded to his best friend?” she asks slowly, clearly believing that to be unlikely.