Madness

Epilogue

"Right, class, you can go. Ellie, make sure you have your homework tomorrow. Kirsty, stay there, I want to talk to you. It's alright you're not in trouble."

The room emptied of everyone but the girl I was so worried about. I walked over and sat beside her.

"Is everything alright, Kirsty, do you need me to move someone away from you?"

The twelve year old shook her head so violently that I knew immediately that this was not what she meant at all.

"Alright, pretending that there will be absolutely no retaliation from anyone, would you like me to move somebody away from you? Ellie's your friend, I know that. What about Allison?"

She shook her head slower this time.

"Then it's Shannon that's the problem?"

She nodded, hesitantly.

"You know you can tell me anything, right Kirsty?"

She nodded.

"They're being mean about my ADHD," she almost sobbed. "They're saying it's a bad thing."

"And do you think it's a bad thing?"

She shrugged.

"Listen to me, Kirsty. There is nothing wrong with having ADHD. I have it. You're a clever person, Kirsty, and you know it. You certainly are able to qualify for private tutoring, if you want it. I'll do it, or Mrs Curtis?"

There was a gentle knock on the door.

"Did you know Mrs Curtis's real name is Anna?" the girl asked me.

"Yes."

She smiled.

"She's nice to me. Like you."

I smiled to her.

"She was always my favourite teacher when I was a student here."

"She's my second."

"Is she?"

"Yes."

Kirsty nodded.

"You're my favourite," she whispered.

The girl looked at her feet embarrassed.

I smiled at her.

"You come straight to me if you decide you want me to tutor you. I'd be only to happy to do it."

Kirsty managed a small smile as she stood up, walking with me to the door where Anna Curtis stood waiting for me.

"Bye Nessa." she said.

"Bye Kirsty," I replied.

As the girl walked of down the corridor, I smiled. She's just like I was when I was a student here.

"There's another meeting. Shall we go?" Anna asked me.

I smiled.

"Well, why not?"

And we walked up the stairs and into the staff room where Chloe, Siobhan Vord and Jaceline Deets stood in a small circle clutching cups of coffee and waiting for the meeting to begin.