"Where have you been?" Benny snapped at her grabbing her arm and pulling her into the staff cabin with him. Rich had gone straight to the building as soon as they had pulled up.
She hadn't known what to say to Rich after he had finished his phone call. After all, she had been listening on someone else's conversation. So they simply ate their meal and drunk their coffees in almost silence. They mentioned the school a couple of times, on a few floating ideas, and Rose had learned that he wanted to install a lift somewhere. Which would be difficult, but not impossible. She could see why he wanted one installed, considering the intentions he had for Eastern District's close future.
Rose of course hadn't completely finished her meal, so he had ended up paying. Rich hadn't finished his either, but that hadn't been part of the deal. They both left the cafe feeling rather warm, and rather full, before coming straight back to the site.
"I asked you, where you've been?" Benny said again, his voice not sounding any calmer.
The staff room was empty, but with Benny's big mouth, she thought, anyone outside would hear him.
"I was having lunch, if that's allowed mum?" she said sarcastically.
"Leaving your phone behind?"
Oh, she realised, he had probably text her or phoned her a few times. "It's in..." she started to gesture towards the door.
"In the truck, I know. Well that's after I tried phoning a couple of times outside of it. Seriously, what is the point in having one Titch?"
Was that all he was worried about? she thought.
"I was wondering where you were, then I saw his car missing, and panicked. What were you thinking?"
She noticed he had finished this time, but she was waiting for him to erupt again. A loving big brother she guessed. But before he could go again, she put her hand on his arm gently and said:
"Benny, it's fine. I will not mix my personal life with work, so you have nothing to be worried about!"
"So you talked business?" he said with a snort, clearly not believing her.
"Well yes, we talked about here..." They also spoke about her potential grandmother, she thought, but she didn't voice this to Benny. "And we ate. It's a little cafe just down the road."
"So he bought you lunch?" Benny asked. "Didn't he do that yesterday before the briefing?"
What was this, 101 questions? He certainly was acting like her mother. "I did get him to agree to me paying this time, if..." she paused wondering if she should even continue.
"If what?"
"He agreed that I could pay for the meals, if I was able to finish everything on my plate. Only it was massive. I could easily have just eaten half. But I ate so much, I feel like a whale!"
Benny roared with laughter. "Okay, now that is funny. Also so typical of you. At least you tried, but that was a neat trick to play."
"Great, picking his side now?"
He laughed again. "Well no, but it is something I would do if..."his face looked a little fiercer suddenly. "Never mind! Anyway I was just wondering if you had found anything out about that woman in the picture. I mean you haven't said anything to me about. You just seem to be hanging around with him."
Now he looked like a sulking school boy, she thought.
"Well I think she may be my grandmother. But I don't really have anyone to confirm this. I was thinking of phoning my mother later and asking her a few questions. Not exactly to tell her too much, but just gently ask her questions. But no I haven't found out anything about her. Rich told me her name, but I don't know where she was born, or when, or who she married...."
YOU ARE READING
Eastern District School
RandomWhat was it about this place? It was calling to her, pulling her closer. Just a run down ordinary school ...but packed full of history. A history that twists and binds throughout her own. A history that needs to be uncovered and someone who seems m...