The Safekeepers

Chapter Five

“I think I’m at risk of turning into a brie and bacon sandwich!” Violet declared as she joined Emily, Kaylee, Verity and Marshall at a table in the Cold Cucumber, a small café adjoining the school. Marshall was Verity’s twin brother; the pair of them had joined the others after their jog around the common. They looked as identical as different gender twins could, with coppery red hair, slightly upturned noses, wide brown eyes and oddly shaped freckles that made star signs on their cheeks. Violet’s tray wobbled and steaming coffee slopped over the edges of her mug. Her left ear was swollen from where a girl from another boarding house had pierced it during French class: a diamond earring glinted proudly from its bed of inflamed skin. Emily offered to eat half of Violet’s sandwich for her and Violet almost trembled at the idea.

“You’re like a dog with a bone Violet,” Verity laughed. She had a bubbly, girly voice in perfect symmetry with her brother’s deeper one. Violet bit into her sandwich and smacked her lips together noisily, the sound made Emily shudder.

“So, which societies are you joining this term?” Marshall asked the table.

Emily went first, “The gymnastics team, lacrosse, Mandarin club and the tea society.”

Violet stared at her, dumbstruck, “You’re joining the tea society? Were you invited?”

Emily nodded shyly. Kaylee vaguely remembered Stefan mentioning it but couldn’t recall whether or not it was something he’d said she should join. She reminded herself to ask him. “What is the tea society?” she asked.

“Oh, you try out different teas and things. Tea companies send us their tea leaves to review. I’ve heard it’s quite tedious.” Emily said quietly.

“That’s not the point though, is it?” Violet interrupted, lowering her voice, “It’s the most exclusive club in the school and it takes place in the Head of School’s house. No-one outside of the club knows exactly what they do there but everyone knows it’s important.” She turned to Emily suspiciously, “How did you get in?”

“Stop being so interrogative Violet,” Emily whispered, turning to Verity for sympathy. Marshall interceded, telling them all about his hockey try-outs the next day and how nervous he was about making the first team. Verity glanced at her watch.

“We should go and start getting ready girls, dinner is in just over an hour.” She turned to Kaylee, “You’re going to love it, the first dinner of term is always a huge occasion! Marshall is in Confucius house so we’ll see him there.”

“How does the house system work exactly? I mean, I know that the school separates you into houses based on your personality but are they really that different?”

“Hugely different.” Emily said seriously.

“Take my house,” Marshall explained, “if you’re a member of Confucius house then you have to work hard, never take offence, and always consider the consequences of your actions, in essence, live the Confucian philosophy on life.”

“And what if you don’t?”

“Then you’re reassigned to a different house.”

“It all seems very sensible.”

“It is!” Violet exclaimed impatiently, “Now can we go and get ready, it always takes me ages.”

Kaylee thanked the waitress and pulled her black fur jacket back on. Verity sighed enviously and Marshall laughed, “How come you always think of something you would like after our birthday and yet have no ideas beforehand when everyone is asking?”

“I was waiting for inspiration.” Verity hugged her brother then linked arms with Kaylee and Emily, leaving Violet to tag along beside them.

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