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Act I Chapter III ━ The Case of the Dead Nun
BEWILDERMENT. UTTER BEWILDERMENT.
That's all Siobhan felt as she stared up at the stage. Jenny was stood next to a massive orange pot and her mate, Aisling, had a giant watering can. She was stood on the end of the row, next to James, so she couldn't avoid seeing the display. She had let go of James' arm as they had gotten into their lines and she would be lying if she said she didn't miss the contact.
"A new school can seem like a very scary place. But try to think of it this way. Right now, you're like a little seed, and the school is like the soil, a safe and stable environment, within which you can grow."
The display continued with Aisling lifting the watering can and dipping a piece of blue fabric into the pot. As Jenny finished her speech, a massive fake flower was pulled out of the pot. Siobhan's eyebrows furrowed together, the bewilderment not even faltering.
Sister Michael stepped up to the podium. "Wow, what a great way to look at it. Thank you. Thank you, girls. Some lovely sentiments there. Some very beautiful words. Unfortunately, that's all they are, sentiments and words. What you've just witnessed is a piece of fiction. The reality, I'm sorry to say, is much harsher, far more brutal. So let me take this opportunity to advise all our new girls to keep their guard up. Watch their back." She moved away from the microphone only to move forward again once she remember what she was going to say. "Oh, speaking of pupils who need to watch their back, I'd like to introduce James Maguire. Show yourself please, James."
James, looking wide-eyed and bushy tailed, raised his arm above his head. Girls at the front turned to look back at him, confused expressions on their faces.
"James will be the first ever boy to study here at Our Lady Immaculate College. He was due to start at Christian Brother Boys, but there were serious concerns for his safety because, well, unfortunately, James happens to be English." There was laughter from the other girls. "But let me make one thing clear ━ I will not have a repeat of the Mr Mullin affair. Is that understood?"
The fucking Mullin affair, Siobhan thought. She groaned and rolled her eyes at the mention of the teacher.
"What's the Mr Mullin affair?" James looked between the girls on either side of him, a mildly scared expression on his face.
"Student teacher. Two fourth-years cable-tied him to the monkey bars and started dry riding him." Michelle explained. "He was really good-looking, so you've nothing to worry about."
