recall the exact topic of his address now.
As the staff filed out of the double doors and into the quadrangle, Natasha made a beeline for Kathryn, who was standing by herself, loitering and unsure of how quickly she could scuttle off without seeming impolite. These things mattered in a school like this; one had to be seen to be doing the right thing, at the right time and in the right way. Timing was everything.
Kathryn watched the woman stride purposefully towards her and straightened her cardigan as she mentally prepared the answers to any questions that might be posed: ‘Can you tell me where to find Art block C? What time is break? Where is the nearest staff loo?’ But their first interaction could not have been more surprising.
Kathryn saw both staff and pupils appraising Natasha as she walked away from them, quite unaware of the commotion she was causing – unaware or uncaring, Kathryn wasn’t so sure now. She wore a long, flowing, white cotton skirt and flat, clumpy sandals that looked like they had been made from recycled tyres and then painted pink. Her acid-green knitwear was unidentifiable as cardigan or jersey; it was more of a wool drape and was fastened at her shoulder with an enormous white flower. Her short brown hair was adorned with at least three hair clips, each with a sparkling butterfly attached – the sort of accessory you’d expect to find on a nine-year-old girl, but that was of no consequence to Natasha, who had seen them, liked them and so wore them. She was striking, different and fresh, and she looked lovely. It was as if she had not read the handbook of ‘What teachers in a school like this are expected to wear’ or, if she had, she had decided to disregard it. She made everyone and everything around her seem grey and dull and Kathryn would learn that this was something she achieved no matter what the occasion or the season. She was like light in a dark place.
‘Hi there, I’m Natasha Mortensen. Today is my first day, Art and Design.’ Her statement was confident and succinct.
‘Oh, yes! I knew you were coming, well, not you per se, but a new tutor. It’s very nice to meet you, Natasha. I’m Kathryn. Welcome to Mountbriers!’
The two shook hands briefly, both a little uncomfortable with such a masculine greeting.
‘Thanks, Kathryn. I saw you in the hall and I have come to tell you that I’ve chosen you to be my friend because you look most like the sort of person that I would be friends with. Not like some of the antiques amongst that merry band. And what about that Mark Grade A Tosser Brooker! What an absolute arsehole! Does he ever shut up? Ye Gods – droning on and on. The kids were bored stupid, itching to escape, and I nearly nodded off twice! I can see that he and I are going to get along famously. Not!’
Kathryn was so taken aback with Natasha’s directness that she couldn’t think of anything to say. She wracked her brains, trying to remember what it was she’d overheard Mark saying about the new art teacher the night before. ‘I’m rather over a barrel on this one,’ he’d complained. ‘Max Whittington has asked me to give her a go; he thought she was the strongest candidate by far. I think he took a bit of a fancy to her and, as much as it grates, I can’t risk him changing his mind about sponsoring the lower-sixth library refurbishment. Although if it was down to me, she wouldn’t have made it past the gate; I’ve seen her sort before – a frightful and subversive lesbian.’ Kathryn thought he was probably right on that last point – for once. Though Natasha was clearly far from frightful.
Natasha continued, ‘Don’t look so stunned! I do that, Kathryn; I pick people to be my friends and they are stuck with me whether they like me back or not, I can’t help it. I have always done it and the reasons that I pick my friends are often most spurious. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Ellie Simpson and Hannah Hartley. I picked them at primary school and they are still stuck with me now!’
‘Why did you pick them?’
‘Ellie has the most amazing smile ever and shared sweets with me, I now know that she will always share anything with anyone, she is pure goodness and Hannah has