I was aware of what everyone else was thinking when I walked into the classroom. The voice was spiteful and gleeful as it shouted the most terrible things about my father. I would have lashed out at the people daring to think those thoughts but…the same things were passing through my head.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5syPVsNre
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Clara…779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNC3SZxDPx
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What was it about the name that haunted me? Was it merely because it was the name of the woman who my father wronged?779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ryIHDqrGE
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“What in the world happened? Everyone’s saying that Uncle Tony…”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2MRLyE6aD
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Jenny, who had cut me off from her life since Jolly's funeral was the only one who bothered to come over to me. She was incredulous, eager to hear me contradict the accusations. But what could I say?779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZW0TH8Sjg
She read the worst from my silence. “No…That’s stupid.”
I could see Nancy looking at me. Her expression not hostile for once. But she made no move to come over.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDTWGFZ25b
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“I heard it, Jenny. I was there.”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx4v33dxdz
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She opened her mouth to speak but stopped when footsteps sounded from outside the class. The one who entered was not Roy Sir, our Physics Master who was supposed to take the first hour, but Lekha Madam, our headmistress.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeSoTFj8xY
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One thing to say about Lekha Madam is that she is an example for ‘appearances are deceptive.’ A short petite woman who looked as fragile and delicate as glass. But beware anyone who mistook her weak appearance for a lack of authority. With a booming loud voice and an uncanny ability to command, Lekha Madam soon set them straight.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4br4As7thV
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“Before class starts, I would like to pass along a message from our manager.” She frowned as if she was taking especially nasty tasting medicine. “As you all might now, the Inspector is waiting to question all members of Jolly’s class. Our manager wants the incident of two weeks ago not mentioned. No matter what kind of questions the Inspector asks.”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQKClHseIa
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“That…” Before anyone reacted Jenny was on her feet. “That is not something we should hide from the police.”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH9UXglLqi
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“Jennifer…”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPwhW8fgmW
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“What he insists is hardly fair. We can’t conceal the truth.”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzINHlPqqI
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“Jennifer…”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9K1j0sdcz
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“What is he so afraid of? Did you ask him that? Is he afraid of…”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuuUNFz2dy
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“JENNIFER!”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrQDb9P0Ws
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Jennifer gasped, looked here and there. “I…”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo49zaj6rhp
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“Jenny…” Lekha Madam said kindly. “I understand your feelings but…I advise you not to get into trouble.”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNYfvzS1rd
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“What has my Dad threatened to do to students not heeding his request?”779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XIB6YWuCo
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“Expulsion. Any student who divulges the information will be expelled.” Lekha Madam’s voice was calm but the voice told me how angry she was. "That is what your father, the manager, said."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYUoxucNdC
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A stony silence filled the classroom. I wondered how many of them were making the same decision as me. To hell with any warning! That incident is the first thing the Inspector would hear from me.
To be continued...
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