The Family Business

Prologue

I surveyed my class trying to think of a nice way to say goodbye. Failing that, I almost bored myself to death staring blankly at the thirty teenagers who sat before me. Their eyes were fixed on the interactive whiteboard where an American high school film was projected as it was the last day of term. Seven minutes to go, seven minutes to figure out what I was going to say to my best friend. We'd met during university and we'd only been teaching for two years. Alas, I couldn't help feeling that it wasn't for me, I didn't think I was a successful teacher. Children left my class as vacuous as when they entered.
Brrrrrring brrrrrring brrrrrrrring!
Three bells signified the end of the day. Most students and teachers were excited for the summer holiday, not me- I was spending it training to be a Police Officer, although hopefully what was to come would be more fulfilling. After taking the DVD out of my laptop and handing it back to the girl who brought it in as she passed me, I put the laptop in its bag and swept the various items which sat upon my desk into my rucksack. I swung it onto my back and carried my laptop bag on my right shoulder. Still with no idea what to say, I approached Brianna Lane's classroom. She was just walking out when I got there.
"Hi," I said.
"Hey, I was just gonna come and talk to you," Replied Brianna.
"I got you a present," I put my laptop bag on the floor and proceeded to dig in my rucksack.
"You didn't have to do that,"
"Well I've seen you nearly every day for about nine years and now I'm going to live really far away. You deserve it anyway," I held out the package, Brianna took it and unwrapped it.
"Wow," she exclaimed sarcastically, "A framed photo of you, I will definitely treasure this forever,"
I chuckled, "Now you'll never forget me!" She hugged me tightly. I hugged her back.
"I got you a gift too," Brianna held out a plastic bag for me to take. I looked inside to find some Spearmint Polos and a bottle of Irn Bru.
"You're the best friend I could ever have," I announced.
"I know," she told me and we began walking down the corridor. Everybody we saw was wishing me luck and saying "Bye,". We signed out in reception and made our way to the car park where a group of boys were smoking.
"Drop 'em," I said flatly. Two of them ran away into the woods and the other three dropped their cigarettes on the ground and stamped them out. We carried on walking.
"You sure you don't want to stay?" Brianna inquired, but I knew she was joking. I unlocked my car, opened the door and sat down amongst all my luggage.
"I'll miss you," I declared.
"I'll miss you too," Brianna replied, "Be sure to text me daily updates on your life in London,"
I smiled broadly, "Bye Brianna,"
"Bye Jonny,"
I started the engine and drove. This was going to be fun: a three hour drive to London, the SatNav was already set up and I trusted the dull voice to tell me where to go. I wondered whether Brianna was serious when she said I should text her daily updates on my life and how long we would keep in touch. I was definitely going to try to know her forever, she was my best friend after all.