Bad Company(23)

‘Don’t ever talk to him again,’ J.B. snapped at me.

Who is he trying to fool? Does he think I haven’t noticed his suspicious behaviour?

‘Please, Lissa, Magnus Pierce is dangerous. I’m doing my best to protect you. If only you knew …’ He sounded so sincere I almost believed him, except that as soon as I was in the kitchen pouring myself some milk there he was back on the phone, his voice a whisper.

I had passed the message on. ‘Get in touch, J.B.,’ Magnus Pierce had said. And he had.

After that day, everything seems to have moved so fast. Like a rocket spiralling out of control. I remember the next day so well.

I had never seen Murdo so smug. He strode up and down the class, saying nothing. Humming some tuneless Highland lilt. You always know when Murdo is angry. He bellows, he throws chalk around the room, he slams down his desk, spittle bursts through his clenched teeth. And his hair goes wild.

And you always know when he’s happy. Because he hums tunelessly, just as he did that day. As we all trooped into his classroom he beamed at every one of us, even Diane and I. It was all very fishy. The whole class knew that something was in the wind but he waited until we were all seated before he decided to put us out of our misery.

He rubbed his hands together, gleefully. ‘I have wonderful news. Wonderful news,’ he said in mounting excitement. And when Murdo got excited he could spit for Britain. ‘Our school has received a great honour. We should be very proud. The Council has chosen one of our number to design its new Millennium Logo. One of our number. Someone in this class. I wonder if any of you can guess who it is?’

But we didn’t have to guess for long, because Murdo’s smile focused on only one person. Ralph Aird.

‘Come here, Ralph, and stand beside me.’ He opened his arms to welcome him and Ralph stood up sheepishly. He had a look on his face that was a cross between smugness and embarrassment.

‘Come here, Ralph,’ Murdo said, ‘and bask in some glory.’

Ralph shuffled towards him.

Murdo continued. ‘Our Ralph has been commissioned. Commissioned, mind you.’ He pointed a stubby finger at Harry Ball. ‘Tell me what commissioned means, boy!’

Harry spluttered trying to think of an answer. ‘Is it something to do with a prison sentence, sir?’

The class fell about laughing. Even Ralph Aird giggled.

Murdo raised his eyes hopelessly. ‘You may be a whizz kid at maths, Harry, but your command of the English language is deplorable. Commissioned!’ he explained to us, with some extra spit, ‘in this case means he’s getting paid for his work!’ There was a gasp from the class.

Ralph stood up straighter, pride written all over him. Murdo slapped him on the back. ‘Yes. We have a professional artist in our midst!’

Murdo began to clap then and, without hesitation, so did the rest of the class. Not hesitantly, but with enthusiasm and pride, like I’d never heard before.

‘Good on ye, Ralphie boy!’ someone shouted.

‘Terrific!’ Nancy called to him.

Even Asra stood up and gave him an extra special cheer.

Of course it was all Murdo’s doing, I told myself. Working behind the scenes, making sure Ralph’s potential wasn’t lost forever. But as I listened to the class applauding, and watched their faces, their genuine pleasure for Ralph’s success, I felt alone. None of them had spoken to me in weeks because of what I’d done and I hated them and yet, here they were delighted for Ralph Aird of all people.

I looked at him beaming like an idiot and I realised with dismay, I was jealous, jealous of Ralph Aird. In that same moment, he looked at me. He always looked at me with disgust, as if he hated me and for a second that was the look he gave me. And then, the look changed to a puzzled frown and then gave way to a smile that spread across his face. And I knew he could read the envy in my face.

Diane leaned toward me and tugged on my arm. ‘He probably only got it because they felt sorry for him. He’s a loser.’

‘WHAT WAS THAT!’

Murdo’s voice boomed out and the applause died in an instant. Silence fell. Total silence.

Murdo took a deep breath and strode up the aisle to where Diane sat. ‘Stand up, Miss Connell.’

Diane flushed and licked her lips.

He stopped right in front of her.

At first I thought she was going to refuse but after a moment she got to her feet, defiance in her every move.

‘Now, why don’t you share with the class what you just said?’

Diane wouldn’t even meet his gaze. She didn’t answer him, but I could tell by the nerve throbbing in her cheek just how angry she was.

‘Forgotten already, have you?’ Murdo looked round at the rest of the class who had all turned to face him. ‘Shall I tell you what she said?’