Touching Shadows

Expectations

The next few weeks went by at a snails pace.

Eat. Sleep. Work. Repeat.

Despite Jacob and I not seeing each other regularly over the last few months together, it was nice knowing I had someone. Going home and having no one to call or text, and nothing to look forward to on weekends really was a different kind of lonely.

I had had to break the news to my parents that we were no longer together. It was painful, and something I had neither the energy or inclination to deal with.

My parents and Jacobs parents ran in a lot of the same circles. They all celebrated when fate introduced us on the train. He was such a nice boy, and I was such perfect wife material. The 'perfect couple'. So no matter my feelings towards Jacob now, I didn't feel I could tell them why I had ended it. It wasn't worth the drama. His dirty little secret stayed a secret.

My mother had taken it particularly hard, and was leaving daily messages on my phone. I stopped picking up.

"I've been speaking with the Golden-Levys'. Cynthia says that Jacob has hardly left his room. He's absolutely heartbroken, Audrey. If you just saw each other again and talked things through, maybe it would reignite..."

BEEP

I deleted the message.

Poor, sweet Jacob was heartbroken because his plan to have a doting little ministers wife at home, and a cheap shag on the side fell apart. That's all.

"What are you muttering about, Audrey?"

I glanced up from my phone at Jemima, who was next to me in the staff room at work.

"Just my mother again. She's unrelenting."

"Ignore her. If she knew why you got rid of him, she wouldn't be begging you give him another shot."

"I am."

I deleted another afterthought message from her without even listening to it.

The staff room was full and noisy. We were on our usual couch, watching the clock. It was almost time for the bell to sound. Luckily I had a free period next, although a pile of marking was waiting on my desk for me. I knew for a fact that at least 20% of the class would have to re-sit the last social studies test I had set.

I was packing up my lunch bag when Gerald, the principal, walked in.

"Can I have everyone's attention for a moment please?"

The room quietened to just a few murmurs, here and there.

"As you know, the Adventure ED camp is coming up in a few weeks time. One of our regular parents who comes every year to assist, has had to pull out after a nasty leg fracture. We are a little bit desperate now, and if we don't find someone to replace him we will have to cancel the camp. So if any of you are interested in filling in, please come and see me in the next few days."

Gerald thanked us and left the staff room. The noise picked up again immediately.

"No thank you! I couldn't think of anything worse? An entire week in tents, open to the elements, toilets that don't flush and kids 24/7. These kids! Plus no phone service to call for an escape helicoptor? Who would sign up for that!?"