"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 130 - "Trying to Fix It...?"

Chapter 130 - "Trying to Fix It...?"

Clara's PoV

'We've met literally twice in 8 years John. How do you even know where I live?' Adrien said as he opened the door for John to come
on anyway.

He knew exactly what this was about because Adrian had been there at the time and the whole school knows these things by lunchtime anyway. Rumours aren't safe in the school.

He figured however that if John had gone to all the effort to come here that it must be worth listening to him.

'You was on the coach right? You witnessed it all'

'I've already given my statement to Mr Foster' he said.

'Did you take kids to the toilet whilst the coach was moving at any point?' John asked.

It was against the law to be moving or not wearing a a seatbelt when the car is moving but John had a pretty good feeling that all the teachers had done it.

'Yes. We all did'

'Would you say that? You know if it went far?' John asked.

'I suppose I would have too. Can't lie in a house of law' Adrian complained.

'Would you stand up for Clara?'

'Of course I bloody would. She's my best friend and I wouldn't want to see her forced out of the school. She's a great teacher. All the kids would testify to that. Even Amber no matter what her mother says' Adrian said rolling his eyes. 'Why does Clara even care so much? Why doesn't she just go off on maternity leave and come one back when things have blown over?'

'Because she won't have a career to come back too. This whole thing isn't just about a job... this is her whole fricken career' John scoffed annoyed just thinking about it.

- - -

'Where have you been?' I asked as I lifted Henry onto the worktop and instantly regretted it.

It hurt like hell and made me squeak on the inside but I didn't want to show how much it hurt so crumpled my face and moved on.

'Went to sort some things out'

'Like what?'

'I just wanted to get some facts straight and I did' he hummed.

'Facts? For gods sake tell me you didn't get involved. Tell me you haven't tried to get involved in something g that really has nothing to do with you?' I begged handing the demanding three year old the bowl to mix the cake batter.

I figured it might be fun to do some baking. While I was making the perfect soufflé (baking is good when I'm stressed) I decided to keep Henry occupied and happy by making cupcakes as well.

'No. I just asked Adrian what happened and he said that he had as well taken some of the kids to the toilet on the coach. What you did was nothing different to what either of the other two teachers did'

'How did you even know where Adrian lives?'

'I dunno. I guess I just remember from you?' He shrugged.

'Just for clarification John. I don't need your help. I can sort my own problems out no matter how sweet it is that your concerned'

'But the other teachers did the same thing' he scoffed annoyed now that I wasn't taking him seriously.

'But the other teachers weren't doing it when the coach crashed were they? If the had then it wouldn't of just been the 4 of us that were critically injured. Thanks for the concern but there is just no point taking the other teachers down with me' I explained as he huffed and stomped out of the room.

- - -

'I've just got a phone call from Foster. He said that he's going to try and speak to Ambers Mum at pick up today and invite her into a meeting but he doubts it will do anything?'

'Why don't you go along? That way maybe you can explain things yourself?' John suggested.

'I'm not allowed near the school. I've been suspended remember?' I huffed.

I could tell he was still a little angry at me and my reluctance to fight this... but there just was no point in fighting it. What happens - happens now.

'Look at the end of the day you don't need the money. We don't need it. You can just live at home full time? Your not going to be at work for much longer anyway?' He said trying to think up ideas. 'If your really lonely and bored then you can just come and work at my place?'

'But I love my job John. And if I get suspended for being a liability I'll no longer be able to work with kids' I pointed out. 'My job at your place is with kids. It'll look like your doing something really dodgy giving your wife a job when she's not allowed' I pointed out.

'So what? We just give up on this? Your a brilliant teacher?'

'Maybe. But not enough of one to be responsible for the kids alone' I grumbled.

- - -

'Dalia?'

'Who the hell are you?' Dalia asked holding her daughters hand tightly as she stormed out of the school building obviously angry about talking to Mr Foster.

'I'm John Smith'

'That means nothing to me' she snapped.

'I-- Well there's no point beating around the bush I'm Clara Oswald's husband. The husband of the woman's career your about to destroy'

'Amber. Go play' she scoffed staring sheepishly at John. 'I'm not dropping the complaint'

'I'm not asking you too. I'm asking you to think about what your doing before you do it. Think of the shit that Clara had been through this year'

'We've all been through shit. Your not going to guilt trip me'

'Not guilt tripping. Just saying? Clara was in the accident as well and pregnant. Why would she have done that on purpose? Why would she have encouraged or put herself in danger knowing something bad might happen or that something might possibly go wrong?'

'I don't know why people do theses things-- She's pregnant. Was the baby okay?'

'Yes. But who knows what could have happened. There's just no point dwelling on the could when it did' John said leaving her something to think about.