Page 28 of Wild Horses

The September sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the Currawong Creek car park as Christy walked towards the school rooms, her mind preoccupied with tomorrow’s ambitious ideas for her English class.

She would have the students write their own play, one that could be produced and put on at the old school hall.

She was thinking of possible creative topics when she received a summons from Clare.

Probably something about the new English lesson plan.

Clare had enthusiastically supported the proposal and there were still plenty of details to finalise.

But if Clare planned to repeat her advice about backing off from Leo, there was really no need.

Christy was looking forward to expressing how much she’d taken Clare’s wisdom to heart.

Clare was standing by the window when Christy entered the office, her expression grave.

So ... this wasn’t about the plans for her English class.

‘Have a seat.’ Her fingers tapped a soft, staccato rhythm on the desk, heightening the tension in the room.

They sat in an uncomfortable silence. Clare was clearly finding this, whatever this was, difficult.

‘Christy, I’ve been made aware of some unsettling gossip. It concerns you and your previous teaching position.’

Christy sat, dumbstruck. Freezing fingers crawled up her spine and the walls closed in. This was her worst fear.

Clare’s lips pursed into a frown. ‘Maggie brought the matter to my attention.’

Christy grimaced. Of course she did. Tom came in, stood behind his wife’s chair, and put a supportive hand on her shoulder.

‘It seems that Jane Storey, one of our students, has a brother who attends St Luke’s College,’ said Clare, her voice tight.

‘I’ve spoken to the girl, who was reluctant to repeat her story.

I have no doubt she regrets gossiping, because she insists she really likes you as a teacher.

But according to Jane you were fired after being accused of unethical conduct – to be precise, an inappropriate relationship with a male pupil.

’ Her gaze bored into her. ‘Is that correct?’

Christy’s heart thudded painfully against her ribs as she jumped to her feet.

‘That allegation was based on a complete misunderstanding. I’ve never had an inappropriate relationship with any student.

And I wasn’t fired. I resigned because the rumours following an investigation – even one that cleared me – would have destroyed my ability to teach at the school. ’

Clare’s expression softened. ‘Sit down, please.’

Christy obliged, her legs almost collapsing under her.

The other woman studied Christy, who felt like a bug under a microscope. Clare cleared her throat. ‘Talk to me.’ Her voice was calm, measured, but there was a real undercurrent of concern.

Christy drew in a big breath and let it out slowly, trying to find her footing on the shifting ground beneath her.

Tom spoke, his brow creasing, but his eyes kind. ‘We don’t need all the details, but we do need to understand what happened. It’s important for the trust we must have in our staff.’

But Christy wanted them to have all the details. She poured out her story, at first softly, then with more confidence, leaving nothing out except for Samuel’s name. As she spoke, the injustice of the situation gnawed at her with renewed force.

‘I’ve worked hard to build a new life here,’ Christy said, her voice thick with emotion.

‘To make a difference for these kids. You’ve seen me with them.

’ She was about to say You know I keep proper boundaries , but thought better of it.

Taking a deep breath, Christy met their gazes, finding a well of resolve within herself.

‘So, to put it simply, I was accused of something I didn’t do.

’ Her voice was strong now, fuelled by a blinding need to set the record straight.

‘A student misunderstood my actions, which were only intended to help. His parents overreacted and the whole thing escalated. A formal enquiry would have been hell for the student, and you know how mud sticks. It was best for me to leave.’

‘There were no formal findings against you?’ asked Clare.

‘Absolutely not. But the rumours followed me when I left. It was hard to find another job.’

‘We wondered why such a well-qualified teacher wanted to come way out here to the bush,’ said Tom. ‘We snapped you up the moment we saw your application.’

‘I was a bit more circumspect,’ admitted Clare. ‘Especially since your references didn’t include St Luke’s College. But Tom here—’

‘I said don’t tempt fate by looking a gift horse in the mouth.’ Tom gave Christy a disarming grin. ‘And thank God I did.’

Clare reached back and put her hand over Tom’s. ‘Yes, thank God he did.’

Christy allowed herself to breathe. ‘Does this mean ...?’

‘It means we believe in the presumption of innocence,’ said Clare. ‘And from what we’ve seen, your impact here has been profoundly positive.’

Tom’s smile was wide as the sky. ‘You’ve brought so much good to Currawong Creek, Christy.

The way you connect with the teens, your dedication and imagination – it’s more than we could have hoped for.

I often say to our students that the past is simply that – the past – and that we should focus on the future.

I reckon that goes for our teachers as well.

’ Tom bent down and gave his wife a swift kiss.

‘Well, if you will excuse me, I have a visiting Clydesdale mare who’s just itching to meet our Goliath. ’

Christy couldn’t believe it. She felt like singing.

Her position at Currawong Creek was secure.

She wanted to dance out of the room, but Clare’s expression gave her pause, her eyes sympathetic yet stern.

‘Christy, you really should have disclosed the circumstances around your departure from St Luke’s College when you joined us. ’

‘I ... I didn’t want it to poison my chances. I wanted to make a fresh start.’

‘Maybe so, but transparency is crucial, especially in our line of work. And to be fair, you almost made the same mistake again with Leo – getting too close, I mean. Given your history, you should have well and truly learned your lesson.’

Christy hung her head. ‘It was completely unprofessional. I let my emotions run away with me.’

‘You’re sure that’s all it was?’ Clare had an oddly knowing look on her face.

‘Tyler is a father as well as a staff member. He’s eternally grateful to you for bringing Leo home when he absconded, as are we all, but .

..’ Clare hesitated. ‘At last night’s parent–teacher interview he expressed some disappointment about your recent behaviour.

Apparently, he’d asked you to single Leo out for special attention – an appeal he had no right to make, by the way. ’

Christy’s mouth went dry. ‘It wasn’t quite like—’

Clare held up her hand. ‘And apparently you agreed to his request. I imagine that foolish promise played some part in you ignoring my advice about Leo for a time.’

Christy nodded. There was no point arguing.

Clare gave a small, satisfied sigh. ‘Good, we’re on the same page then. And fortunately, you came to your senses before the boy formed an attachment to you that went too far.’

Oh, if you only knew , thought Christy.

‘I sense this issue has caused some tension between you and Tyler,’ continued Clare. ‘So, I thought I’d help clear the air. Tyler now knows you pulled back from Leo based on my advice. He will no longer blame you for it if that’s what’s been happening. Okay?’

It was more than okay. Christy was thrilled Tyler knew at least part of the truth. And if Leo had transferred his crush from her to Tiffany, then maybe she had a chance with his father after all.

‘I’ll impress upon Jane the importance of not repeating rumours,’ said Clare. ‘I don’t think we’ll have any more problems. She seems genuinely remorseful for causing trouble.’

It wasn’t Jane who Christy was worried about. She was building a great relationship with that girl. Maggie, on the other hand ...

‘Oh, and by the way, Christy. Vera will return as camp cook next week, so I imagine Tyler will be heading home to Brisbane soon. We’ll be back to good plain cooking.’ She smiled, ruefully. ‘Very plain.’

Tyler leaving? A sudden urge to see him hit her, and Christy left the office with a hopeful spring in her step.

She hurried to the kitchen. Damn, Tyler wasn’t there.

Christy checked her watch and rolled her eyes in frustration.

She needed to see him before Maggie had a chance to spout her poison, but she was already late for her art class. Finding Tyler would have to wait.